IV Siesta Sand - December 2013 by Brion Palmer

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Flood Insurance Reform Act’s Shock Therapy: A Cure Worse than the Underlying Disorder? By Robert Frederickson Harvey Vengroff is moving to Belize. As a successful businessman and investor he can afford to live just about anywhere. His companies, including Vengroff and Associates, have made him a wealthy man, primarily through work in the debt collection field. His companies reportedly manage in excess of $20 billion in debt annually. Additionally, he owns and manages over 700 rental properties in the Sarasota/ Manatee county areas. His holdings also include warehouse and commercial properties throughout the region. He loves this area. Has lived here for years. Moved his business here. So why is he leaving? It’s not the climate. There’s plenty of sun and surf to be found in these parts, just as in the sun-drenched paradise of Belize, located in the western Caribbean on the southern end of the Yucatan peninsula. But the business climate? Well, that’s another story. And that’s what has him ready to light out for friendlier horizons, even if it means living the life of an expatriate American.

“The government here? It’s just stupid, some of the things they do. And it just keeps getting worse,” he said in a phone interview last week when asked to comment on the impact of the Biggert/Waters Act that has left individuals and businesses alike reeling from the dizzying heights to which their federal flood insurance premiums have risen. Biggert/Waters was passed to close a $23 billion deficit in the decades old federal flood insurance program. The deficits are fairly recent, brought on by relief efforts tied to Hurricane Katrina, the series of storms that hit Florida in 2004 and 2005, and more recently Tropical Storm Debby in 2011 and last year’s Super Storm Sandy, both of which resulted in massive property destruction in the northeast. But according to Vengroff and others who have their fingers on the pulse of the local economy, the cure provided by the Biggert/ Waters Act is worse than the underlying pathology it was created to remedy. “It just makes no sense,” he says. He tells of a house on Longboat Key he once

owned that recently came back on the market. “We had owned it in the past and were thinking about moving back to the key,” he said. “Ten years ago when we lived there the flood insurance was $5000. When my wife checked with the bank, we found out it’s now $60,000. It’s crazy.” Vengroff could handle that type of increase without much trouble, or go without coverage entirely by paying cash. But it’s the principle that bothers him. And he worries about the plight of families that rent homes or apartments from him. “These are working class people,” he says. “If I have to up their rent by $100 or $125 per month because of higher insurance, that’s a big hit for them. That means there might not be much food in the refrigerator by the end of the month.” The negative implications for Florida’s economy are far reaching. Especially in Sarasota, which depends so heavily on real estate transactions to fuel the broader economy. Story continued on page 16.

Midnight Pass: lessons learned after 30 years By Paul Roat Sarasotans have had a long-term love affair of damaging nature. We’ve scraped, scoured, cleared, filled, circumvented, and paved Mother Nature to the point that she can barely pick herself off the ground without help — and while she’s down, we keep kicking away at her. While we lament past destruction, and point to future ecological goals, we continue to pound the environment with a reckless fervor seldom seen outside of a street fight. Part of what we’ve done to the environment seems greed-induced. Raw land is too valuable to be allowed to lie fallow, so we mold it to our liking regardless of environmental damage, then tax the change of use. Regulations have meant too little and have come too late to really protect much of the environment. Part of what we’ve done comes from ignorance. We’re just now realizing we all live downstream from somebody or something, and what we flush down our toilet doesn’t magically disappear but all-too-often pops up as somebody else’s problem. But most of our historical environmental disregard is spurred by arrogance. We have simply ignored the tropical delights of Southwest Florida except where it will help us turn a buck from a tourist or a prospective new

homebuyer. Look around. When the big storm of the early 1920s destroyed the bayfront of the quaint fishing village of Sarasota, did we learn from our mistake and build smarter? No, we began to dredge and fill the waterfront, spelling doom to Sarasota’s fishing industry and starting the land boom of the 1920s. Probably the best example of officialdom’s arrogance of the environment is the story of Midnight Pass, “celebrating” its 30th closure anniversary this month. The inlet between Siesta and Casey Key was the most controversial environmental issue in town in the early 1980s. The story of what happened to Midnight Pass is one of the most bizarre environmental dramas in recent history, pitting the property “rights” of two prominent Sarasotans against the environmental good of an entire region.

On November13, Michael Shay accepted the Sarasota 2013 Volunteer of the Year award to the theme song of “Rocky”. The special Awards Ceremony was held at the Venice Community Center and hosted by Keep Sarasota County Beautiful. According to Program Coordinator, Wendi Crisp, “the Volunteer of the Year award is given to someone who demonstrates leadership efforts and participation supporting KSCB litter prevention programs”. Crisp went on to say that, “Michael was nominated by the Board of Directors for the Siesta Key Association of Sarasota, Inc. and was selected based on his contributions over the past year to Keep Sarasota County Beautiful initiatives”. Photo by Norm Schimmel

Commentary:

Sand struggle looms eternal By Stan Zimmerman

Midnight Pass showed signs of moving north to threaten to erode two houses on south Siesta Key in this September 1973 aerial picture. Photo courtesy George Bishopric. The issue served as rocket fuel for cocktail party conversations as “experts” all had an opinion on what should or should not have been done to the inlet on Dec. 5, 1983, when the pass was closed to protect two Gulffront homes from destruction due to erosion.

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Story continued on page 12.

A fifty-year plan to use sand dredged from the ebb tide shoal of Big Pass may turn into a half-century battle over climate change, sea-level rise and the fiscal sanity of beach renourishment. The City of Sarasota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have a $49 million plan to take sand from Big Pass and use it to renourish Lido Beach. The plan calls for more pumping over the next 50 years. We need look no further than Longboat Key to the north to see the financial consequences. In 2004, Longboat residents approved a beach renourishment bond issue for $15.6 million. The town came back in 2011 to ask for $42 million more. As if the voters could somehow stop the inevitable erosion of their beaches. Commentary continued on page 3.

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Island Chatter

Siesta Key Association Celebrates Its 65th Year By Diana Colson

Community Reports, Code Enforcement: Parking:

John Lally, Code Enforcement Officer, addressed the group. He said the Sheriff’s Department would do their best to enforce parking this winter. There are 150 new parking spots, but 450 are needed. “It’s kind of sad that tourists get here and can’t find a place to park,” commented Lally.

Rentals:

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He went on to say: “This is the worse summer we’ve had for illegal short-term rentals.” In residential areas, people can rent their property once every 30 days. Rentals can occur for brief periods, but the property cannot be ‘turned over’ week to week or weekends only, unless the owners are willing to let that happen only once in a 30 day period. “If tenants leave early, so be it. The property cannot be rented out again during that month.” A member of the board asked Lally to clarify the regulations for renting a single family home on Siesta Key. He said that the renters must be a family unit, with not more than four unrelated adults in one house. “More than that, it’s a violation.”

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Lally said the department had recently taken several offenders to court for illegal renovations. Some contractors were licensed, some unlicensed. Licensed contractors know when a permit is needed. The rules are clear: construction must reach 15’4” before living areas can be built. No one can construct a new living area below 15’4” elevation. Below that, the area can only be used for cars and storage, not for living areas. The fine for builders doing Illegal renovation has increased for First Offence, from $500 to $2000. Outdoor Display Violations: Lally stated he’d been advised by his Supervisors to delay issuing citations or warnings several months ago when there was an effort to change the ordinance. Only a couple of warnings had been issued to businesses displaying their goods on the sidewalk. To date there have not been any changes in Village Ordinances, so he has only issued warnings.

Guest Speaker, Jeff LaHurd:

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In honor of the 65th year anniversary of SKA, Sarasota Historian, Jeff LaHurd, beguiled the crowd with tales of early Sarasota. LaHurd is a History Specialist with Sarasota County History Center, and has written 16 books about the area. His presentation was witty and fascinating, filled with wonderful old photographs of early Sarasota. Using anecdotes and photographs, LaHurd took Siesta Key from its early days as a fishing camp reached only by boat, to a 1954 “metropolis” boasting 500 permanent residents. Beaches were narrow, groins reaching out in hopes of building the beach. “To dredge in those days,” grinned LaHurd, “all you needed was a note from your mother.”

of the house but is landward of property privately owned by the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The Conservation Foundation was contacted and stated they had not given permission for pathway digging. “We ask everyone to help us take care of the environment. When you see something, call,” Luckner said, “We are not trying to be the ‘Gestapo’, only caring of what protects us all.” Removal of dune accretion or dune vegetation makes homes vulnerable to storm surge. The area reported is also well known for seasonal nesting of Snowy Plovers, a local protected bird species. For reporting of natural resources violations, call Matt Osterhoudt/Natural Resources 941-861-5000.

Inlet Management:

Peter van Roekens said that Marker #1 had washed away.

Membership:

Deet Jonker encouraged everyone to use the online web site to pay annual membership. “We hope you will sign up and pay dues on line, making it easier to keep records.” Dues are $30.

Old Business: Avenido de Mayo:

Michael Shay addressed the issue of parking. Avenido de Mayo is only about 21’ wide, yet cars are parking on both sides of the street. There is not enough room for emergency vehicles. The Fire Chief recommends no parking from Canal to De Cortez. Shay said that staggered parking is under consideration. “This is not a perfect scenario, but better than

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Lido Renourishment Big Pass:

Peter van Roekens said that the Army Corp of Engineers plans to initiate the permit process in the next month. They are hoping to take sand from the ebb shoal in Big Pass and place three groins on Lido to help restore the shoreline. Because it has been determined that portions of the project area are County Land, it now requires County input. Nonetheless, SKA believes that public input is needed before any permitting is allowed. Van Roekens believes dredging is potentially dangerous for Siesta Key. The Corps of Engineers will be presenting their project plans proposal at the next SKA meeting on December 5th to address the subject. A proposal for the community to send in requests to the Board of County Commissioners was discussed. The SKA Board had consensus to place detailed information about the concerns in a ‘drop box’ on the SKA web site. Additionally, a sample letter asking for the BCC to have a formal peer review and public input will be provided on the web site. “We are hoping for more clarification and an opportunity for everyone to ask questions. We’ll be developing questions and hope to have good attendance,” said Van Roekens. The December 5th meeting will be held from 5 to 7 PM at St. Boniface Community Room. The public is encouraged to attend this important meeting.

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SPECIAL MEETING St. Boniface Community Room Time: 5-7

Lido Beach Renourishment Project City of Sarasota and Army Corps of Engineers

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Committee Reports: Zoning/Environment:

Catherine Luckner expressed her gratitude for people who walk the beach and notice unusual environmental activities. Last week a SKA Member noticed landscapers digging a path seaward and removing vegetated dune. The home involved is on Beach Road. It has a Conservation Easement seaward

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Commentary: Sand struggle looms eternal

By Stan Zimmerman

Commentary continued from cover story.

It’s called the King Canute syndrome, after a Danish king who ordered the tide to stop coming in. He did it to demonstrate he was not all-powerful, that even a king had limits. The syndrome today is defined as “a chronic belief held by an individual or group and/or their supporters that is based on aspirations…not on evidence or practicality of action.” In the case of Longboat, the syndrome is even built into the comprehensive plan, which calls for using the beach to protect upland structures. When the beach goes away, it’s time to find more sand. Longboat also uses money from the Tourist Development Taxes of Sarasota and Manatee Counties (the town straddles the county line), state grants and the sales tax infrastructure surtax. But the bulk comes from bonds backed by property taxes.

It’s only federal money

In days past, a mayor could call up a congressman and say, “Hey we need some money back home.” The member of congress would insert what was called an “earmark,” and then horse-trade with colleagues to get approval. After a litany of “bridges to nowhere,” Congress instituted a new way to spread the Federal wealth. Instead of applying to one of 465 members of congress, you can apply to one or more of the 11,000 federal agencies. Michael Willis explained the new system to the Sarasota City Commission in midNovember. He’s with the city’s federal lobbying organization, Martow and Co. “Lido got $449,000 this year on the federal work plan,” he said. “This year getting the $449,000 took a little more work, but he [Hurricane] Sandy Assistance Bill was helpful as an emergency supplemental. That’s where it came from.” Unlike Longboat where local residents pay the bulk of the renourishemnt cost, the Lido Beach project will be cost-free to the

city. Alex Davis-Shaw explained to a joint Sarasota City-County Commission meeting, “The Army Corp [of Engineers] covers 62.4 percent. The difference is split between the state and the tourist development tax. Should a storm hit, the Corps has access to congressional funding for 100 percent of the emergency renourishement.” Who wouldn’t take this deal? Longboat Key property owners would jump at it. The difference is, Longboat likes to keep its beaches private, and is thus ineligible for Corps of Engineers largesse.

Who benefits?

It is no surprise one of the biggest boosters of beach renourishment is the local tourist industry. Virginia Haley is director of Visit Sarasota County. She told the joint city-county meeting Lido Beach “is worth $82 million in direct visitor spending. It creates 3,617 actual jobs.” Davis-Shaw told the Downtown [Sarasota] Business Improvement District every $1 provides $8 in shoreline protection. “And that’s separate from economic development,” she said. In 2009, portions of Lido Beach were restored by the city for $4.6 million, using the same mix of federal, state and local tourist tax dollars. Four years later, DavisShaw told the downtown group Lido “is fairly eroded.” King Canute must be smiling. Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock agrees with the need to protect the shoreline, not only around his town but on Lido Beach and throughout the entire state. “In a storm, our lift stations are pumping a huge amount of seawater. And we have roads that close,” he said. “Beaches move, but big condos and homes don’t.” “Across the state we have billions invested in infrastructure along our shorelines. “If you look at the segments of the economy that follow our coast, it’s our major population centers,” said Bullock. “What’s little Longboat Key going to do alone? We need a state strategy.”

Who loses?

The Army Corp’s Milan Mora told the joint commission meeting, “The project is 1.6 miles long and projects a five-foot berm height from just north of the John Ringling Boulevard. It will need 615,000 cubic yards [of sand] every year, and 400,000 cubic yards to get started.” It’s a dilemma shared by Longboat. In 2011 Consultant Kevin Bodge with Olsen and Associates told the town commission the island was losing 140,000 cubic yards of sand every year. The loss of sand means the high tide mark creeps higher and higher up the shore, reaching towards the very pricey real estate. But on Longboat, the property owners pay for the sand. On Lido, even the people in Nebraska pay for the sand. But some worry Siesta Key may pay the highest price. During the joint commission meeting, the county’s former director of coastal zone management testified he “had questions about the assumptions, methodologies and conclusions” that lead to using sand from Big Pass to renourish Lido Beach. “It is premature to seek permits,” said Rob Patten. Jono Miller is a professor at New College and has studied barrier islands for 40 years. “The proponents cannot guarantee there will be no impact on Siesta,” he said. “And we need to be upfront with the residents on South Siesta, Casey, Manasota and Venice. There may not be enough money to do your beaches too.” “It ever there was a statewide issue, this is it,” said Longboat’s Bullock. “It needs the resources of a state perspective, university research, state funding, state strategies. Where do we fight sea-level rise? Where do we retreat?”

For the sake of Siesta Key beach, it is the opinion of Siesta Sand News that BIG PASS SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHED. Feel free to email comments to islandvp@verizon.net

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Siesta Key News Round-Up • The fate of North Beach Road

It is the one area of Siesta Key that demonstrates you can’t fight Mother Ocean. North Beach Road has been closed to traffic on and off since 1982. Storms continue to undermine the road. Last year Hurricane Sandy collapsed a 150-foot section and necessitated emergency repairs. Even June’s Tropical Storm Andrea – a weak system – caused more erosion in the area. After “Sandy,” the county commission asked for independent engineering analysis. The results are in, and it is either “revetments and a seawall” or “hold your breath.” Cost estimates are north of $2 million. The area has been recognized for years as critically eroded. The county for years has not allowed any private construction near the area. County Commissioner Nora Patterson, who asked for the engineering studies, has been quoted as saying, “I think we have no option but a wait-and-see. At this point in time, it would be hard to justify that expenditure.”

By Stan Zimmerman

• Illegal rentals on the key

The county’s code enforcement officer said, “This summer was the worst summer we’ve had.” John Lally was speaking before the Siesta Key Association in November about the number of illegal rentals on the island. Scams are starting to show up too. Lally noted people showed up on two separate occasions at a house on the key, saying they had rented it. It was a surprise to the owner. “The money went to Nigeria or wherever,” said Lally. He’s been chasing owners who converted below FEMA-grade areas into rental units, and structures modified to accept a greater number of people than allowed by code and fire safety regulations.

• Ramirez runs for county commission

“The commissioner for Siesta Key” was an unofficial title for four-term county commissioner Nora Patterson. But she’s term-limited, and cannot run again. Enter Lourdes Ramirez, who

would like to take up the mantle. Ramirez is a former chair of the Siesta Key Association, and now heads the Sarasota County Coalition of Neighborhood Associations. She’ll face Al Maio in the Republican primary election next year. He’s vice president of the consulting firm Kimley-Horn which does a lot of business with the County and the City of Sarasota. Ramirez has already faced one smear tactic that resulted in criminal charges of a former chair of the county Republican Party for identity theft, as he tried to make donations in Ramirez’ name to Democratic candidates. Bob Wechter’s trial is expected next year in circuit court. Ramirez is campaigning to support the county’s comprehensive plan, which contains “fiscal neutrality” provisions that require new development to help pay for schools, libraries, roads, public safety and other infrastructure needed to support a larger population.

• Happy Birthday SKA!

The Siesta Key Association is 65 this year, and not about to retire. The

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

group formed in 1948 when less than 500 people lived on the island. But one aspect has not changed. The SKA still tries to guide Sarasota County land-use policies, especially when they pertain directly or indirectly to Siesta Key. Unlike many other barrier islands, Siesta remains an “unincorporated area” governed directly by the county commission. Although at times the idea of forming an incorporated town has risen, the concept never reached a take-off point. The two hot topics at the moment for the SKA are a proposed beach renourishment project that will syphon sand – for the first time in history – from Big Pass north to Lido Key. The SKA is calling for a peer review of the Corps of Engineers plan. The second topic under the association’s scrutiny is county treatment of outdoor merchandise displays in Siesta Village. There is a county-wide ban on showing wares outside retail shop. The SKA is thinking of asking for a change to the Siesta Key Overlay District that

allows exemptions to overall county policies.

• Broken Egg broken up

One of Siesta Key’s signature restaurants made famous by ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is no more. Broken Egg owners Bob and Pam Kirscher have sold their interest in the three-shop chain. The other two are at Lakewood Ranch and Clark Road. Soon after the announcement, the doors at the Siesta Key location were locked as new owners began renovations. It will re-open in early February as “Another Broken Egg,” one of a chain of stores from Louisiana to North Carolina. The Clark Road store was sold to Dawn Hair, the current manager. It will keep the “Broken Egg” sign, but menus will note it is not affiliated with the “Another Broken Egg” chain. Meanwhile the sale opens the door for the chain to make a significant expansion into Florida. It may open new stores at 35 or more locations in the state. Kirscher said he has no plans to leave Sarasota, or retire.

Sheriff’s Report

Oct. 22 - Nov. 18, 2013

There were a total of 22 crimes reported on the Key from Oct 22-Nov 18, 2013. Below is a highlight covering some of the violations.

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11/10/13 Misdemeanor/ Assault Battery Siesta Beach An officer on foot patrol was informed of a fight near the volleyball courts. When he arrived, he noticed five male subjects with unknown identities fighting with the victim. As soon as they saw the officer, the males ran through the trees and were unable to be located. The victim had minor lacerations to his nose. He advised that he had been leaving the pavilion area when he was “jumped” by the unknown individuals. The victim, who admitted he had been drinking, refused any medical attention. He was unable to give an accurate description of the subjects. He told the officer he was done with this and just wanted to leave.

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11/12/13 Misdemeanor/ Petit Theft 5000 block Winding Way A man returned home to find a wooden carving of a rooster, a wooden carving of a chicken and some other items stolen from his front yard. There are no suspects or witnesses to this incident.

called and cleared the suspect of any medical issues. The suspect stated she has suffered for over 1 year from sleep deprivation due to her child’s sleeping habits. The child had just recently adapted a new schedule and the suspect was concerned that the child’s sleep would be interrupted. Noise meter readings were taken 11/14/13 Misdemeanor/ Assault from the party. 100 Block Whispering Sands Dr. A wedding rehearsal party was The suspect and her husband the incident location for a reported were informed that no noise assault. Police had responded earlier ordinance violation had occurred. to this location regarding a noise The suspect was very apologetic for complaint. The complainant on that her actions and stressed that she was case is the suspect for this incident. unaware of what she did. The bride to be called police to Officers returned to the party report that a woman carrying a and spoke with the victim’s fiancée flashlight (the suspect) came from who stated that the victim was in no her residence through the trees and condition to discuss this any further. walked into the middle of the party. They advised that the victim could She became upset about the loud contact the sheriff’s office when she music because of her 16 month old is able if she intended to proceed sleeping child at home. The suspect with the assault charges. began screaming and threatening to There were other witnesses to the “kill” everyone. She also began to incident at the party but the victim throw her closed 005722_MHBF_LandingsEagle_Mech fists at the victim, did not wish to involve them at this time 8/21/13 due to thePrinted occasion.@ 100% who felt that she Revision: was in immediate 0 Created:

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danger. Client: M. Heights Creative Director: REX GEE The suspect then left the area Art Director: ALAN REYNOLDS and returned home. According to police the victim appeared to be very Bleed: N/A Copywriter: intoxicated and admitted she had Man Calls 911 Because Neighbors Wouldn’t Trim: N/A Proofreader: NANCY TUCKER had a substantial amount of alcohol. Drink With Him When officers made contact James Collins just wanted to have a drink with Live: 10"x5.125" Studio Artist: LUIS ARRIAGADA with the suspect, she appeared his neighbors, but when they declined to imbibe Inspected By: very subdued and was surprised with him, he took matters into his own hands. Colors: 4/c Production Manager: CAROL CAPOSINO by the accusations against her. She Collins, 56, called 911 on Nov. 3 and reported his admitted to going to the partyDPI: with300 neighbors’ rude to the cops, according to Project behavior Manager: LAURA WILMESMEIER the flashlight, but said she only Dumb As A Blog. raised her voice and did not swing Officers from the Fort Pierce, Florida police at anyone. department thought they were responding to a During questioning, the suspect domestic disturbance call. fainted and her husband caught her Instead, Collins -- who was celebrating his to keep her from hitting her head birthday -- just told them his neighbors were being on the front walkway. Rescue was

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11/10/13 Felony/ Burglary 6000 Block Midnight Pass Rd A man reported someone had illegally entered his unit and stole several items. He had first noticed an envelope of cash missing from a drawer about 10 days prior to this incident. At that time, he had assumed he had misplaced the money. However now he realized there was also jewelry missing from the same dresser. He stated that his doors are always locked. No signs of forced entry were observed. Another burglary was reported in a nearby unit a few months prior.

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10/28/13 DUI /Drug Violation Beach Road & Ocean Blvd A 40 year old man was charged with DUI with property damage and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription after he crashed into a Siesta Key Village sign, a large palm tree and ran over some nearby shrubbery. The defendant stated he was coming from Turtle Beach where he drank two beers. He was unable to tell the officer what kind of beers they were. The man complained that he had hit his head but refused an ambulance. After the arrest, the officer conducted a search of the defendant and found a small baggie containing controlled substances in his front left pocket. The man denied any knowledge of them. He claimed he had been traveling with a bunch of people but did not know where they were.

mean and would not drink with him, according to a report obtained by TCPalm.com. An officer explained to Collins about misusing 911, but he apparently didn’t get the message. He called 30 minutes later to once again complain about his neighbors not drinking with him. This time, when the cops arrived, they noticed he smelled of booze and had a container of “Blue Ice” in his front shirt pocket. Collins was arrested on charges of disorderly intoxication and misuse of 911, UPI.com reported. Story courtesy of Huffington Post 11/14/13

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News Up & Down the Trail • Don’t forget your umbrella

Sarasota is a third-world county when it comes to mass transit. The busses are clean but infrequent, but waiting for them is torture. For the enormous majority of stops, there is no bus shelter for protection from the sun and rain. Nor is there a seat. And to make matters worse, if there is a seat it’s surrounded by trash and ants, because there are no garbage cans. After learning only 172 stops (of more than 2,000 stops) have shelters, county commissioners in November ordered staff to survey adjacent counties to find out how much they pay for shelters and how they are erected. Meanwhile they approved installing 47 more in the current fiscal year. “We can’t get a grip on bus stops,” said County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. “Over 90 percent of our stops have nothing other than a sign in the ground. That’s bad, that’s just really bad.”

By Stan Zimmerman

• Human rights in Sarasota

The Sarasota County Commission keeps edging closer to considering a declaration of human rights. Commission Chair Carolyn Mason says she supported an ordinance on human rights that would ban discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap or marital status. The ordinance would add sexual orientation and gender identity. The cities of Sarasota and Venice already offer such protection, as well as many other cities across the state. The issue came up locally when a Venice condo association had rules banning gay and lesbian couples. The county attorney is now drafting a declaration for commission consideration.

• Domestic partnership registry passes

The Sarasota County Auditor and Clerk’s office is preparing to roll out

a domestic partnership register after the county commission approved its establishment. The ordinance must be filed with the Secretary of State before it goes into effect. Once established it allows unmarried domestic partners to register and receive documentation allowing visits to ailing partners in the hospital, and also make funeral decisions. The ordinance recognizes partnership registries in other venues, and grants them the same rights as Sarasota County. One county commissioner offered the reminder the partnership is not a substitute for legal powers of attorney or living wills.

• Hospitals blocked from reimbursement

A three-year-long lawsuit has been settled, with three private hospitals losing their bid for reimbursement for indigent care. Circuit Judge Kimberly Bonner ruled Venice Regional Medical Center, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota and

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the Englewood Community Hospital are not entitled to taxpayer money to pay for treating people too poor to pay. The hospitals were basing their claim on a half-century law called the “Special Act.” Bonner ruled one paragraph was unconstitutional because it gave a privilege to private corporations. Had the hospitals won, it would have cost additional millions for indigent care. The current health and human services budget currently exceeds $8 million.

• City ponders bid density bump

A local attorney is asking the Sarasota City Commission to triple density in the area north of Fruitville Road adjacent to downtown. The area is called the Rosemary District. Lawyer Bill Merrill is asking for a quickie change to the city’s comprehensive plan because his client wants to get the project under way. The area is now zoned Downtown Edge, and carries a 25

units-per-acre limit on density. Merrill is asking for 75 or 80 units per acre to build affordable housing in the downtown area. A similar scheme – called a “residential overlay district” – was tried in downtown just as property values started to tumble. Only one project considered using the extra density, but it did not move forward.

• Two downtown icons gone

Returning seasonal residents and snowbird tourists will find two longstanding establishments downtown are missing. The Golden Apple Dinner Theater and the Bullet Hole are defunct. The space they occupied is being gutted and rebuilt for new tenants. The Equity theater was one of the oldest in Florida. The Bullet Hole for decades was the downtown source for guns and ammo. Story continued on the next page.

News Up & Down the Trail

By Stan Zimmerman

Story continued from the previous page.

The county’s five percent tax on short-term accommodations set a new record for collections. A total of $14.8 million was collected, just shy of the $15 million budgeted. The final tally could still rise a bit as hotels and motels made adjustments to their records. The county’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30. Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley says her “dashboard figures” show about a six percent growth in visitors for the fiscal year, with spending up about 7.3 percent. She said the county’s increase was slightly ahead of statewide figures. The receipts are charted by collection location. Siesta Key retained the top spot with 32 percent of the total, followed by the City of Sarasota at 30 percent. The City of Venice collects six percent of the total, and the Town of Longboat Key (which straddles the SarasotaManatee County line) got 11 percent. Northport in southern Sarasota County collected less than one-half of one percent.

• Half-billion up for grabs

A little-known committee since last summer has grappled with the fate of what its chairman believes could be $500,000,000.00 in property taxes. The group’s title is a mouthful: the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area Extension Study Committee. Almost thirty years ago the city and county struck a deal. They would freeze the property tax collection at 1986 levels for a defined area of downtown Sarasota. Each year, as taxes rose from increased assessed value, the extra – called the “tax increment” – would be spent on improvements to the area. Last fiscal year the “increment” was worth about $8.5 million. The deal expires in 2016, and the committee is tasked with making recommendations about what should happen. Should the deal be extended? For how long? Should 1986 remain the “base year?” Should the area be expanded? After months of study and discussion, the hard decisions will be made this month for presentation to the city and county in January.

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• Selby opens rainforest garden

The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden is open for fun at Selby Gardens where U.S. 41 turns its back on the bay. It capitalizes on banyans planted in the early 1920s, uses a rope bridge, adventure trails and even a research station for budding botanists. The $5 million campaign includes a $1 million endowment. The money came from hundreds of people and organizations. It features tropical plants and water features including a waterfall.

• Hazardous people win award

We are surrounded by unsung heroes. People who toil day-in-dayout to make life better for the rest of us. One group of them works at the dead end of Bee Ridge Road, at the chemical collection center. Sarasota County’s Hazardous Waste Department is the recipient of the 2013 North American Hazardous Materials Management Association’s Longstanding Program of Excellence Award. Starting with their first amnesty day in 1985, the “hazardous people” have collected uncounted thousands of gallons of pesticides, paint, used motor oil and other lethal compounds that otherwise would end up – eventually – in the waters of Sarasota County. Electronics, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, aerosols, pool chemicals, the list is long and ugly that arrives daily at the end-of-Bee Ridge site. And sharps. More than 5,000 pounds of needles, lancets and other medical “sharps” have been safely disposed there.

• Déjà vu real estate

Ten years ago Sarasota County threatened to pull the county seat out of the city if it did not get the property under the then-standing Sarasota City Police Department headquarters building on Ringling Boulevard. The county wanted the land for a new criminal justice tower. The city knuckled under, demolished the 1950s-era brick building and built a new stateof-the-art police HQ with a $30 million voter-approved bond issue

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• Oldest human remains under negotiation

Way, way down on U.S. 41 is the City of North Port. Last stop in Sarasota County. The city is noteworthy for two significant reasons. One is Warm Mineral Springs, a naturally heated pool that attracts people from around the world. A health spa now closed over disagreements between the city and county. The second is Little Salt Springs, another pool. It’s owned by the University of Miami. Specifically its anthropology department, because the 112-acre site is the home of the oldest human remains in North America. Not just bones, but actual flesh because this spring is not warm. Bodies were interred by launching them into the 200-foot depths. But North Port is a long way from Miami. The university wants to divest itself of the responsibility for guarding and managing this unique site. The county has proposed the university convey the ownership as-is for no fee. The property is appraised at $2.1 million, although the university received it in 1982 as a gift. It now costs the university about $100,000 per year for a full-time caretaker and maintenance.

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on Adams Lane nearby. But the city never got around to conveying title of the old site. Nor did the memo of understanding approved by both the city and county commissions require conveyance. Now the county wants the land again, this time for parking. Or something. County Commissioner Joe Barbetta said, “That’s a substantial piece of property next to the judicial center. We need to be doing something with that piece of property or put that on the market. One or the other.” Proposals flew over use of the property. A parking garage. A bus transfer station. A new criminal justice tower. And complicating matters is a state requirement the county tax collector begin issuing driver’s licenses in June, 2015. That’s an extra 137 more customers per day to the adjacent county office complex in the Terrace Hotel at Ringling and U.S. 301.

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Siesta Key’s Ryno Story and photos by Trebor Britt Some people just know what they want to be when they grow up. For Ryan Ballance, it wasn’t quite that simple. It was during his training to become a Santa Barbara County lifeguard in California that he became interested in becoming a firefighter. Since lifeguards and firefighters train together much of the time, it became a natural fit for him. Although he set his sights in California, it was a visit to see his sister, who lived in Sarasota, that would tie his career to this area. Lieutenant Ryan Ballance, nicknamed Ryno, has been serving the Sarasota County community for more than 21 years. In his dual role as supervisor and team member he currently manages, trains and mentors the men and women firefighters at Firehouse 13 on Siesta Key. Asked about the #13, he says he is not superstitious. In fact the number 13 is one of his favorite numbers; it was the number he wore playing water polo in college and has served him well these past years. The engine at Firehouse 13 is unique because it is an advanced life-support vehicle, designed to maximize a successful rescue operation. It contains all the equipment needed for any possible rescue. The only thing it can’t do is transport a patient. As a paramedic, Ryan initiates immediate care until a transport vehicle arrives. Daily life at the Firehouse always includes an in house training event that incorporates both a fire and EMS situation because when each second counts there is no room for error. “Every fire call is dynamic. No one shift is exactly the same,” says Ballance. That is why every training exercise they accomplish is meticulously recorded in their shift log and why preparation is so essential. The number of emergency calls during the off-season averages 3 to 5 per day or 90-150 per month. During season, emergency calls average 5 to 12 per day or 150-360 per month. As a Florida State Certified Firefighter and a Florida State Certified Paramedic, Ryan has had the opportunity to serve the public at several Sarasota County Fire Stations. He’s served as a Firefighter/Paramedic at Firehouse 21 in Venice, Firehouse 14 just south of Sarasota Square Mall, spent about 13 years at Firehouse 11 on Stickney Point Road near US 41. After his promotion to Lieutenant he served at Firehouse 15, a temporary Firehouse at the Firefighters Maintenance Base on Clark Road, Firehouse 12 on Bee Ridge Rd. and for the last two years Ryan has served the community at Firehouse 13 on Siesta Key. Ryan had a pretty normal childhood. He was born in Wheaton, Illinois on the northwest side of Chicago and at about age 6, he and his family moved to Long Beach, California where he lived through his high school years. He remembers learning to swim at a very young age and started playing water polo when he was eight. The pool he learned to swim in was the same pool used by the Olympic Water Polo Team. He recalls always looking over and saying, “I want to do that, that looks cool. He went on to say that, “water polo is so huge in California almost every community has a team. Every High School has their own pool and team. The rivalries are as intense in water polo there as they are here in football”. He had the honor of playing on the HS junior national water polo team and eventually played on the National B Team which is just one step below the Olympic team. After being recruited by several colleges to play water polo, Ryan accepted a scholarship at University of California, Santa Barbara and played all through college. He was thrilled to play in a tournament last year in Naples,

Florida with a bunch of the UC Santa Barbara alumni. He graduted from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in psychology. After college graduation in 1988, he and a friend traveled Europe for 3 1/2 months. They went from Norway all the way to Morocco. It was a lifelong dream to travel Europe with back packs by Eurorail. “We wanted to see the world. Seeing all the sights and meeting the locals were definite highlights, but meeting the people was the best part of the trip.” Ryan laughed as he related, “To handle the language barriers, they did a lot of pointing and spoke slow and deliberate. Like everyone else during those days, they traveled with a translation book. This was long before walkmans and iPhones. Since the trip took place before the end of Communism, they were able to see the Berlin wall. Ryan’s greatest joy outside the Firehouse is raising his 14-year-old son, McCabe, a high school freshman who attends Outdoor Academy at Lakewood Ranch. He’s playing football so Ryan is involved with mentoring him, making sure he’s ready for the day and that he gets to all practices. He also does a lot of volunteer work at McCabe’s school. “I’m very involved in being a father.” Ryan’s interests and passions include exercising, running, swimming, biking stand up paddling, surfing, and any ocean sports. He loves the outdoors. What he enjoys most has to be open water swimming. He just competed in the annual Tropical Splash 5 km swim and not long ago finished 5th in his age category in the Pan Am Masters Open-Swim Championships

I asked Ryan what would matter the most to him when he turns 80 years old. He said, “That my son is happy and he has a wonderful partnership and relationship with his wife and is a wonderful father. I try to be the best dad I can and I hope I leave an impression on him.” As for Ryan’s co-workers, he gives high praise to the men and women who serve the public at Firehouse 13 on Siesta Key and throughout Sarasota County. Siesta Key residents can sleep well knowing the Ryno and his highly skilled teams of firefighters and paramedics are on duty 24/7 at Firehouse 13.

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Featured Restaurant

By Paul Roat

|Village Cafe is place to see, be seen in Siesta Village Village Café is a perfect peoplewatching place for breakfast and lunch. Perched at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and “Eat Street” — nom de plume by foodies for Avenida Madera, so named due to all the restaurants on the street —outdoor dining and picture windows allow ample opportunities to watch the world pass you by while noshing on traditional and special dining fare. Breakfast and lunch are served from the 7 a.m. opening to the 2:30 p.m. close. A patron favorite is any one of the eight “Lotta Eggs” omelettes. Owners Kay and Tom Kouvatsos admit that although the menu describes the dishes as containing four eggs, they sometimes have five or even six eggs in each. A plain omelette is $6.95. From that starting point, splurge: Lox & Onion ($11.95); The Works with onion, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, diced ham, bacon, and sausage ($10.95); The Swimsuit with egg whites, spinach, mushroom, tomatoes, and “no cheese!” for $9.95; or the Greek Omelette with feta cheese, green peppers, onions, sausage, and tomatoes ($9.95.) Following suit with the “Eggseptional Dishes” is the Mexican Wrap or Siesta Benedict, both $9.95 and both served with home fries, grits, or fresh fruit. The popular Mexican Wrap features south-of-the-border favorites chorizo, refried beans, scrambled eggs, onions, green peppers, and cheeses wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. The Siesta Benedict has a perfectly poached pair of eggs perched on Canadian bacon on top of a crispy English muffin, smothered with a tangy Hollandaise sauce. Following in the International theme of breakfast is Stuffed French Toast ($8.50) with either apricots and cream cheese or fresh apples, cinnamon, and cream cheese. Or diners may want to sample the Belgian Waffle topped with powdered sugar for $6.95. There are, of course, traditional first-of-the-morning meals offered at Village Café: bacon and eggs,

Covered outdoor dining adds to the ambiance at the Village Café restaurant in Siesta Village. Photo by Paul Roat Village Café, with its plateglass windows, definitely offers patrons a clean, well lighted place for breakfast and lunch in Siesta Village.

pancakes, frittatas, and muffins. There are also Healthy Choices like fresh fruit, bagels with all the fixings, or the Siesta Key Oatmeal: oatmeal topped with strawberry yogurt, bananas, and strawberries, served with an English muffin for $6.95. Lunch fare at Village Café is as eclectic as breakfast, and also follows an International theme. In celebration of Tom’s heritage is Tom’s Greek Salad, with mixed greens, Greek peppers, onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, green peppers, olives, hardboiled egg, and a house dressing for $9.95. A Taco Salad has a homemade shell filled with greens, peppers, onions, tomatoes, mixed cheeses, all topped with marinated grilled chicken and a special dressing on the side, for $11.95. Coming back to the U.S. is the Philly Cheese Steak ($9.95) with the flavorful beef served with grilled onions, peppers, and American cheese, served on a hoagie roll with a side of fries. Village Café has eight deli-style sandwiches, all served with lettuce, tomato, and pickle. Popular is the Reuben ($7.45) and the Siesta Club

($9.25). The club is served with either ham and cheese or turkey, plus lettuce, tomato, bacon, pickles and fries, served with mayonnaise. Burgers are half-pound in size and run the gamut with add-ons. The Siesta is popular, with its guacamole, sliced tomato, and pepper jack cheese at $9.95 with a choice of a side dish. A meatless Veggie Burger has tzatsiki sauce for $6.75. Another lunchtime fare favorite is the Grilled Chicken Salad ($9.75: marinated chicken, grilled, served on a Romaine salad which includes cucumbers, tomatoes, cheeses, and a boiled egg. Also on the plate is pita bread and honey-mustard dressing. Grilled shrimp is an alternative for the chicken for 20 cents more. A kids menu for those under 10 years of age offer either a hot dog, grilled cheese sandwich, or chicken fingers served with fries for $5.95. The 99-seat restaurant serves beer and wine and fills up fast. Carry-out and catering is available at Village Café, 5133 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, phone 941-349-2822, e-mail villagecafeonsiesta.com Perfect people-watching weather, perfect location, great food — what more could one want for breakfast or lunch in Siesta Village?

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Off Islands By Paul Roat Season of excesses, or perhaps excuses “I was misinformed.” Those three words have been used to cover a flood of misdoings over the years. The phrase is also the recent catch-all for a flood of problems that are washing over property owners in Southwest Florida. Congress approved sweeping changes to flood insurance regulations and premiums last year. Those rate changes target mostly older, non-elevated homes in flood zones. You can still get flood insurance, but in some instances at an eight-fold rate hike. It has been reported that one Manasota Key homeowner saw his annual flood insurance premium go from $2,000 to nearly $17,000. Congress is now trying to correct the problem, but it is uncertain just when or if the make-good legislation will take effect for the estimated 30,000 homeowners impacted in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Can’t pay the flood insurance premium? Hey, here’s a solution that was actually suggested: pay off your mortgage and drop flood insurance altogether from your home. The mind boggles at the wrongness of that “solution.” It’s enough to drive one to drink.

… and on that alcohol note: a local vineyard

Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard proves that Florida can indeed produce a grape suitable for a fine wine. The Manatee County vineyard has been in operation since 1998. It now offers tours of its 10 acres of vines and the fruit of those vines through public tastings. The grapes are Southern muscadine, a variety that seems to thrive on Florida’s sandy soil and humid environment. Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard is offering a special holiday dinner party from 5 to 9 p.m. December 14. Tickets are $140 per couple and include a feast plus an open wine bar and music, all at an open-air pavilion. The vineyard is in eastern Manatee County, 4250 County Road 675. Further information is available at fiorelliwinery. com, or by calling 941-322-0976.

‘You come too much. Go home now. Don’t come back.’

Manatee County tourism officials have been touting the laidback, old-Florida charm of Anna Maria Island in their promotional efforts for decades. Come see the real Sunshine State. No condominiums. Authentic Florida.

Snapshots of Sarasota Visitors Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

And the people came, visited the restaurants, shopped, went to the beach, and had a helluva good time. Too good a time, some residents have complained. Prisoners in their own homes. Blocked in by “daytripper” vehicles, who trash their property, trample across their private land, play music too loud, and fill the island with people behaving poorly, residents claim. One longtime resident even watched day visitors borrow a ladder from his carport to pick mangoes from his tree. So the residents have protested to tourism officials to cease and desist with all the pro-Anna Maria Island promotions in an effort to maintain the peace and quiet they paid for when they moved there. There is even talk about establishing non-resident tolls on the roads to Anna Maria. Call it too much of a good thing.

Portions too big on St. Armands?

St. Armands Circle has been a shopping and dining destination pretty much forever. Residents and visitors would go to the circle, stroll through the specialty shops day and night, grab a bite or beverage, and a good time was had by all. There is now some discussion about people having too much of a good time, eating-wise. The quaint shops are giving way to too many restaurants, some maintain. The St. Armands Circle Business Improvement District retained the services of a retail urban planning expert, who lauded the Circle for its mixed-use shops and then lambasted the Circle for having too many restaurants. Some have said that more than 55 percent of retail space on the Circle is used by food-related businesses. Apparently, that large a number is bad for business. How much is too much? Trips to St. Armands Circle generally involve a meal. Is the place where you have the meal the destination, with shops being included, or is shopping the destination with a meal an add-on to the event? I have found that window shopping always includes a visit to surrounding eateries if for no other reason than to check out the menus. Restaurant shopping usually leads to another visit to another restaurant, more shopping, a different restaurant, and so on. Too much of a good thing? Perhaps that philosophy is not valid in this case.

1: Brian and Doug from the Rum Junkies – playing at casey key fish house. 2: Lexi age 4 from SRQ – at Casey Key Fish House. 3: Jason & Alicia from Indiana. 4: Kathy & Tom from Oregon. 5: Keith & Chris from the UK. 6: Madison age 7 & Stephanie from Venice at Casey Key Fish House. 7: Jim (owner of Casey Key Fish House) from SK.

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Sarasota Waters By Paul Roat Midnight Pass still provokes debate after 30 years Even though it’s been 30 years since Midnight Pass closed, the conversation is still going on strong. Midnight Pass, an inlet separating southern Siesta Key to Casey Key, was what coastal engineers called a migrating inlet. The pass’s waters threatened to erode two South Siesta Gulf front homes in its northern trek in the early 1980s and, in early December 1983, homeowners were granted governmental approval to relocate the pass away from their properties. The relocation effort failed, and the pass closed. Today, “Midnight Impasse” is a wide stretch of sand dune-strewn beach visited by kayakers and a rare beachwalker. The relocation/closure was one of the most controversial environmental actions Sarasota had seen back then. Today, we wondered if the issue was still an issue. We asked an inlet question to members of the Facebook posting “We grew up in SRQ in the ’70s and ’80s!” and got a phenomenal number of comments. The question posed was: “The 30th anniversary of the closure of Midnight Pass will be in December. Anybody remember the inlet in the old days?” The answers included the following comments.

Mechanics of demise of pass

“It was actually the ‘closing’ of Midnight Pass, an inevitability to anyone that believes in physics. It was a great place to shrimp, snorkel, and explore the old shark tanks [from when Mote Marine Laboratory was located on south Siesta Key.] Now it is a wonderful bird sanctuary and estuary to a wide variety of species. For all those that think the water quality has degraded since the pass has closed, they are unfortunately swayed by myths and anecdotes rather than actual data. Granted the species are different but it still serves an important purpose in the ecosystem of Sarasota Bay.”       “Rumor was that it was opened originally by a hurricane and fishermen with explosives, or maybe the other way around. “Hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but nature will never open this pass again. Flows in the bay are dictated by managed inlets 9 and 8 miles north and south (Big Pass and Venice Inlet) and the Intracoastal Waterway. The area around Midnight Pass is too shallow for an inlet to stay open

for any prolonged time. The only way to re-open the pass is via a man-made, constantly managed inlet. And that has been denied repeatedly by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and federal courts. After over a $1 million of effort, Sarasota gave up. You should, too. Embrace what the pass has become; a wonderful estuary and bird habitat. So grab your kayak, head to Turtle Beach and respectfully explore this area rather than dwell about the past. ” “A big storm will punch a pass right through there. As I recall, it reopened once after a storm since its closing. Of course, the littoral currents conspire to close all the passes along Florida’s west coast. But apparently, we’re actually running out of sand with all the millions of dollars spent on sacrificing sand to the sea gods. The next stage in beach renourishment will soon have to be a very long slurry pipe pumping all the sand out of Florida Bay back up to Dunedin.” “Citizens showed up with shovels and hand-tools to open the Pass back up, but the County had bulldozers, and you can’t fight City Hall. Politics polluted your precious waterway.”

Eco-fun times

“We used to fish and night shrimp there. What a great pass it was!”  ”I remember how strong the current could be; the shrimping and bait fishing was awesome, and the ICW was much ‘lighter’ than now, when we would ski or sail, visibility was much better than now ... I miss it still. “ Shrimping was great. Swam across one night and, yes, the current was incredible!” “Swimming across was an adventure. Only later did I realize it was nature’s way of cleaning the south bay. Man chooses wrong, again.” “I think most everyone in Sarasota went shrimping in the pass.” “Just on the north side of that pass you could go clamming. In the late 1970s we used to go camping there all the time on the south shore, where all the Australian pines were.”

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“I remember spending a lot of time down at that end of Siesta Key. Mote Marine was at the end of the island, and I remember going there when it was active, and Dr Eugenie Clark was working there. Even after Mote moved, the circular shark tanks were there until the water took them away. As Boy Scouts, we camped on the Casey Key side on a special weekend trip. A few years later, I remember swimming the pass with a friend from Riverview’s swim team. ” “I almost swam across, but my gut told me the current would be too strong. You guys who did were mighty brave.” “Never had the guts to swim it. I remember Mote being there and being a little creeped out about what was in the water! ” “Swimming across was bordering on insane. Current was strong, and have no idea of the depth. Oh, and wasn’t Mote Marine a place where they studied sharks?” “Snook fishing at the pass from the beach at sunset — nothing better.” “Boat camping in the Australian pines. Spear fishing with the inbound tide as our motive. Enter at the Gulf end, dive down, and do about a hundred yards of fishing on one breath. And stone crabs! They lived in holes in sand shelves underwater near the mangroves.” “Used to camp overnight on the Casey Key beach —no houses back then. Spear fishing was great but lots of sharks for some reason.”

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Midnight Pass: lessons learned after 30 years By Paul Roat

Continued from cover story.

Midnight Pass dates back hundreds of years. In the 1840s, charts of the region show “Buccaneers Pass” separating Siesta and Casey Keys, later renamed Midnight Pass. One of the recurring themes in the Midnight Pass tale is the inlet’s movement. Those historical charts show the “wild, migrating” pass moving north or south across a threemile stretch of coastline during the past 100 years. By about 1960, Midnight Pass had been in about the same place for awhile — say, 20 years or so. To place things historically: Mote Marine Laboratory had just moved to the south end of Siesta Key, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was starting to dredge the Intracoastal Waterway. Midnight Pass was not widened or deepened as part of the Intracoastal project, although most of the rest of the bay bottom was scraped or dynamited to make the bay deep enough for commercial barges to carry goods to or through Southwest Florida from far-away ports. When the dredges moved on, Midnight Pass began to move to the north. It didn’t happen overnight, but by the mid-1970s some folks began to talk about the fate of the inlet. It was much smaller than it once was, and it was on the move. The smart folks who could read the message Mother Nature was sending began to move, too. As described in a Mote Marine Laboratory document in 1990, besides the growth of Mote’s scientific endeavors: “Another and even more compelling reason to move [from Siesta Key] came stealthily, almost imperceptibly, as Midnight Pass filled in and barred the Lab’s vessels access to the Gulf while simultaneously the sea nibbled at the Laboratory’s grounds and reduced their 10-acre site by a few acres every year. It was inevitable that the Mote Marine Laboratory would not only lose its channel to the Gulf but also that, in the inexorable onslaught of the waves, the shark tanks, the docks, the trailers, would be gobbled up by the gulf. A move had become imperative.” Mote moved to City Island in Sarasota in 1978. Midnight Pass moved to the front door of two homes in mid-1983. Pasco Carter was the first threatened. A retired engineer, Carter and his wife received permits to place eight-by-eight-foot sandbags in front of their home as the waves began to break against the sides of the swimming pool. Internationally acclaimed artist Syd Solomon was next to face the water. His home and studio began to show the wear of waves, and sandbags soon were his beach frontage, too. Any housing next to the Gulf of Mexico on barrier islands is

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

precarious. Areas near inlets are especially risky because beach erosion there is at its worst. In light of the migratory nature of Midnight Pass, many have questioned how Carter and Solomon were ever allowed to build in the region in the first place. In late 1983, Carter and Solomon came up with An eroded beach complete with a towering an idea they were able escarpment is all that is left of Midnight to sell to local and state Pass today. The inlet closed 30 years ago this governments: move the month. Photo by Paul Roat. pass farther to the south, away from their milliondollar homes. Permits were granted on an emergency basis, and the first of what would turn into eight dredge attempts made to relocate Midnight Pass. Midnight Pass never did stay open. The problem, as coastal geologists later said, was the current wasn’t strong enough to push the sand through the newly The Midnight Pass shore on Little Sarasota dug pass. Water found it Bay is a popular destination for kayakers. easier to move through the Photo by Paul Roat wider and deeper Venice Inlet to the south, or Big Pass to the north, leaving little Midnight Pass to slowly collect sand and Carter and fill. Solomon originally won approval to relocate the pass on the condition they would keep it open for two years. After eight attempts, they successfully petitioned governments to give up the ghost of Midnight Pass, Residents of Fisherman’s Cove and citing financial hardship. Fisherman’s Haven condominiums have Debate on the pass placed rocks on the shore in an effort to protect continued. A “blue ribbon” their structures from the eroding waters of the panel of environmental Gulf of Mexico. The beach is slated to receive experts was convened and renourishment late next year. decided a one-time, major Photo by Paul Roat dredging to reopen the pass should be done. No official action was taken. The portion of Siesta/Casey Key A g r o u p o f p a s s - o p e n i n g that once was Midnight Pass has proponents banded together and, seen some serious beach erosion in in 1985, the Midnight Pass Society the past 30 years. began a shovel brigade that briefly Offshore sand was pumped did open the pass before officials ashore in 2007 in an effort to stem the bulldozed the tiny waterway closed. sand-sucking tides off Turtle Beach. L a w s u i t s w e r e f i l e d . Another renourishment project is Administrative hearings were held. scheduled. Sarasota County Coastal Rulings by state officials said the Resource Manager Laird Wreford pass was closing anyway, so what’s said he was optimistic that sand the big deal? You can’t reopen it. could be moved onto the eroded Eventually, most people lost interest beach as early as next fall. in the story of Midnight Pass. It is a moderate-sized D i d M i d n i g h t P a s s c l o s e renourishment at 750,000 cubic naturally? No. Was it going to close yards, he estimated. anyway? No one knows. Should it be U n l i k e a n o t h e r b e a c h re-opened? Ask the question at the renourishment project to the north next cocktail party and stand back as on Lido Key that is stirring up some the debate ensues. A recent Facebook controversy, the only complaints post asking for remembrances of the Wreford said he’s heard regarding pass reaped more than 50 comments. Turtle Beach sand of late is why does (See Sarasota Waters column it take so long to bolster the beach on page 11) with new sand.

Sarasota History By Paul Roat Holiday murder in ‘Sara Sota’ circa 1884 Christmastime 1884 was far from merry for the pioneers living in the region of Southwest Florida called “Sara Sota.” A group of prominent citizens brutally murdered two local men, one the region’s postmaster. Twenty men were arrested, four charged with the murders, five as accessories before the fact — plotting or carrying out the cold-blooded murders of Harrison T. “Tip” Riley June 30, and postmaster Charles E. Abbe on December 27.

No garden spot

Southwest Florida was a rough and tumble part of the pioneer in the 1880s and ’90s. Farmers, fishers, homesteaders, and ranchers all were struggling to eke out a living under the harsh Florida sun. Times were tough, and tempers often flared. Author Peter Matthiessen described the area well in his book “Bone by Bone:” “The word was out that a resolute man who was easy with a horse and gun and kept his mouth shut could make good money a lot faster in DeSoto County, Florida, than anywhere west of the Mississippi. “For a few years in the early 1890s, the range wars around Arcadia beat anything the Wild West had to offer. The ranchers were advertising for gunslingers as far off as St. Louis, and every outfit had its own gang of hard riders. With so many rough men in the saloons, a man could get his fill of fighting any time he wanted, and be lulled to sleep at night by the pop of gunfire.” Adding to the turmoil were the shenanigans in Tallahassee. State officials perpetrated the first Florida land grab through something called the “Swamp Land Act,” which allowed the state to take over 22 million acres of federal land originally destined for homesteaders to transform itself into state lands due to its “underwater and undevelopable” state. Of course, the bulk of the wetlands were high and dry, but the feds didn’t know that fact. As Karl H. Grismer in his book, “The Story of Sarasota,” described the transaction, “The land grabbers grabbed at least 90 percent of the 328,960 acres now included in

when Riley was gunned down on his horse en route to the post office. He was shot three times with shotguns, then had his throat slit. The justice of the peace impaneled a coroner’s jury, and Riley’s death was ruled “killed by parties unknown.” Members of the jury were later acknowledged members of the Committee. It was just after Christmas that Abbe was shot near his home off Cunliff Lane. The murder was witnessed by Charles Moorehouse, who told authorities, “Charles Willard shot Abbe and killed him. Charles E. Abbe, postmaster of “Sara Sota,” Another man was was murdered Dec. 27, 1884. Photo courtesy of with Willard. I think Sarasota County Historical Society. it was Ed Bacon. They yelled to me to git — and I ran like hell.” Sarasota County. The deeds for the Sheriff S.A. “Sandy” Watson acreage here, given to the speculators eventually arrested 20 men for the by the state in 1883, included huge murders. The trial began May 18, tracts which were free from standing 1885, lasted three weeks, and drew water at all seasons of the year. Into national attention. the possession of the land grabbers Charles Willard and Joseph went land, in the Sarasota County Anderson were found guilty of first of today, on which scores of families degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the lived. “Good land, fertile land — land murder of Charles Abbe. Edmund on which citrus groves and gardens Bacon was acquitted for Abbe’s had been planted. By no stretch of the murder, but found guilty of murder imagination could this land be called in the first degree of Tip Riley. In ‘swamp land’ — but the speculators their roles as accessories before the fact, Alfred Bidwell and Leonard got it just the same.” The theme of the time was “us Andrews were both found guilty of versus them,” with “us” having first degree murder. Bacon, Bidwell, the unfortunate title of the “Sara and Andrews were all sentenced to Sota Vigilance Committee” and the death. “them” consisting of cattlemen and “Never in the history of Florida land speculators intent on taking the were there two more cold-blooded murders than those committed by pioneers’ property. the Vigilantes,” Grismer wrote. “But it is interesting to note that not one of Murder, most foul the convicted men suffered the full The Vigilance Committee targeted penalty for the crime.” men believed to be in collusion with Two of the Vigilantes escaped the syndicate that was attempting to from jail, the rest had their sentences gain homesteaded properties in the commuted, and none served more region. than four years in prison. Riley was seen pacing off parcels Vigilante justice appeared the rule of land owned by the pioneers, and of the day in frontier Sara Sota as was often seen at the post office with homesteaders drove off the threat of Abbe. land-grabbing speculators. It was early morning in late June

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Downtown and Beyond

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The fledgling State Street/Lemon Avenue parking garage/mixed use structure fulfills the true definition of a compromise: something nobody likes but something that everyone can begrudgingly live with. Sarasota officials began the long process of defining what they did/did not want for the property bounded by State Street, Lemon, and Orange Avenues in 2005. The developers of the Pineapple Square area of Lemon agreed to let the city build a parking structure of at least 300 spaces on the land. After eight years, myriad plans and even more administrations, officials grudgingly agreed to a sixstory garage with 350-ish parking spaces, retail room on the ground floor and a handful of condos or maybe rental apartments above. Commissioners agreed to the plan with a February 2014 deadline looming, despite marketing experts repeated statements that a busy, loud central Downtown space is not readily marketable for a quiet

Brushed chrome artwork by Hans Van de Bovenkamp, like the pictured “Sagg Portal No. 6,” is one of 18 pieces of art along Sarasota’s Bayfront. Here’s a holiday photo suggestion: frame your family under the arch for a do-it-yourself local Christmas card. Photo by Paul Roat

residential lifestyle. The deadline won’t be met, by the way. Proponents of the current garage plan said anything is better than the surface parking lot that is there now. Opponents worried about construction disrupting the popular and adjacent Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, and also lament the lack of foresight city officials portrayed in its conception. Where’s the hotel on top of the building? Where’s the snazzy retail shopping? Where’s the “destination” vendor to draw people to the area? The new garage should be up and running sometime in early 2015.

Season of Sculpture, Part Seven

Robust sculptures will again adorn Sarasota’s Bayfront with the return of the Season of Sculpture. The 18 large sculptures will stretch along Sarasota Bay west of U.S. 41 from Gulfstream Avenue to Selby Gardens through May. This will be the seventh year of artwork along the bay.

Sexy its not, efficient it is

Alleys are not generally considered a vital element of city landscaping. For Sarasota, though, one alley is a pilot project to help preserve and protect the water quality of Sarasota Bay. An intricate collection of permeable pavers, filtration of rocks and sand, and a perforated pipe with more filters has been installed under an alley in back of stores along

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Main Street from Lemon to Central Avenues. The goal, according to city stormwater officials, is to collect and partially treat stormwater runoff that contains grease, oil, chemicals, and other nastiness before it ends up in the bay. The pavers were donated by Titan Block. The effectiveness of the project will be tested during the next year and could be instituted elsewhere in the city at a later date.

Shop local this holiday season

Downtown merchants have weathered the summer doldrums of lackluster sales and streetscape disruptions. Why not give them a special present this holiday season and purchase your presents in local shops? Downtown Sarasota is more than the Saturday morning farmer’s market and the continual arts and crafts festivals on lower Main Street. There’s art galleries galore on Palm Avenue, eclectic shops on Fruitville Road and on South Orange Avenue, plus more restaurants than even the most hardened luncheoneer could visit in a week. Hard to pick out the perfect gift for the hard-to-pick-for perfectionist on your list? Go with gift certificates. Happy holidays to all. Don’t forget the Downtown Holiday Parade starting at 7 p.m. December 7 along Main Street. And don’t miss the Pineapple Drop on New Year’s Eve and all the festivities involved with bringing in the new year.

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Pet Talk

By Dr. Anne Chauvet

1: Smelly discharge from pet’s ear – causes and treatment? Ah! This is a loaded question! Bacteria overgrowth/ infection or yeast overgrowth/infection (candida) can cause smelly ears. Yeast usually has a sweet smell - don’t ask, but this is our way of being a P.I. of disease: we smell, look, touch, but we don’t taste. Ear problems can be present due to poor ventilation – common in longeared breeds, such as in Bassett Hounds, Cocker Spaniels and Beagles. Excess humidity can cause ear problems, particularly in dogs that swim a lot. Poor drainage can lead to deeper infections and even more complications. The treatment is usually in the form of topical antibiotics (drops or ointments), but (oral) antibiotics or antifungal work best with systemic. The most common issue however, is the underlying problem: allergies. When one ear is affected, it is probably due to infection. When both have a problem it is usually due to allergies. 2: I’m taking my “Florida dog” to Minnesota for the holidays. Is there any winter weather care I should know of prior to the trip? Sudden change of weather can be a shocker for you and your dog. A

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Dr. Chauvet earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, completed a small animal medicine/surgery internship at the University of Illinois in Urbana and finished her residency in neurology/neurosurgery at the University of California, Davis. She has been trained in small animal rehabilitation by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute of Wellington, Florida and is known internationally for her specialized work in the relatively rare field of veterinary neurology speaking to, training, and consulting with veterinary practices and organizations globally.

If you have a question about your pet, please email your question to criticalvetcare@gmail.com Each month, Dr. Chauvet will choose a few questions to share with readers.

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Investing for Your Future

By Martha Stokes, CMT

Starbucks and Mobile Wallets Gain Buy Side Attention Starbucks, McDonald’s and other retail companies have responded to customer demand by designing and marketing mobile wallets for their consumers. Mobile Wallet usage by consumers is expected to gain momentum in 2014 and begin to revolutionize the way people buy and pay for everyday purchases at familiar retail outlets. Once again, the innovative corporation is stepping ahead and over what had once been the banking industry’s coveted and monopolized consumer spending vehicle.Every financial services company that caters to easy spending for consumers is getting on board with mobile wallets, offering their own versions. Starbucks is now live with its Square Wallet in 7000 of its stores in the US and its popularity is driving the mobile wallet market faster than before. Banks, Visa and many other credit card companies offer wallets, but it has been Starbucks and other retailers who are generating the growth and potential of the mobile wallet. Google came out with its wallet several years ago, however it didn’t have any means of tapping into the retail customer loyalty aspect. Starbucks is creating the loyalty and the buzz that will drive the mobile wallet into mainstream consumer usage. Starbucks has been offering the mobile wallet for a year now and it has become a huge success with more and more coffee lovers using this mobile technology every day. Since last year, Starbucks stock value has climbed strongly even with the slowing down of the Chinese

economy which was expected to dampen Starbucks growth. Starbucks is working all the angles including hiring veterans and military spouses, Tweet a Coffee which encourages spontaneous gifting on Twitter and many more heart-tugging consumer loyalty building marketing strategies. Guidance from Howard Schultz is for a robust fiscal 2014. Everything SBUX is doing is helping to generate more customer loyalty in a crowded retail coffee market, growth in other global markets, and strategic vision, moving ahead with adopting new technologies early on, way ahead of its competition and other retail companies. Customer satisfaction and loyalty are goodwill items that are priceless to a company. An amazing CEO that has such brilliance is truly rare. This article is not recommending a buy of SBUX. It is merely explaining the benefits of a great CEO and customer loyalty. The Starbucks Wallet is clearly a huge success and we are going to see many more retailers adopt this strategy soon. Those retailers who adopt a wallet quickly will have much stronger growth potential than retailers who delay even briefly. The Mobile Wallet is a game changer, and it is a displacement technology. Trade wisely, Martha Stokes, CMT and CEO of TechniTrader® TechniTrader® the Gold Standard in Stock Market Education™ http://technitrader.com/courses Phone: 888-846-5577

Beach Reads By Terri Schlichenmeyer “Who Asked You?” by Terry McMillan

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You can’t fix everything. That’s a hard lesson to learn, no matter who you are. You can’t swoop in and make things right when they’re not yours to correct. You can’t throw money at something to make it go away, there are some issues that can’t be mended, and you surely can’t fix stupid. You can, however, try to lessen the impact of life gone wrong - and in the new book “Who Asked You?” by Terry McMillan, you can also remember that potential fixes might take awhile. Betty Jean had her hands full. Her husband, Lee David, had dementia and spent his days watching TV in the bedroom and sleeping. It wasn’t his fault but those days, Betty Jean could barely remember why she ever loved him. Their children might as well have had brain problems, too: Dexter was in prison; Quentin had distanced himself from the ‘hood as soon as he was able; and daughter Trinetta was an addict with two little boys that seemed to be at Betty Jean’s house

more than they were at their own. To say that Betty Jean was overwhelmed was an understatement, although she had some help. Her next door neighbor and best friend, Tammy, was always able to pitch in and Betty Jean had hired Nurse Kim to help with Lee David. Those two women were a lot of comfort, which was good – because Betty Jean’s sisters, Venetia and Arlene, were worthless in that department. Venetia couldn’t leave her church out of any conversation and Arlene was just a nasty woman, overall. Yep, Betty Jean often felt like she was running in place – a feeling made worse when Trinetta left her kids with her mother and disappeared. Raising two young kids wasn’t what Betty Jean wanted, but Luther and Ricky didn’t ask for it, either. Yet somehow, they’d manage. They were family, after all, and that’s what family did: they ignored bad blood and bad advice, gossiped about one another, did what needed doing, circled wagons, and muddled through.

Beach Reads Bio: The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 12,000 books.

Flood Insurance Reform Act’s Shock Therapy “This doesn’t just affect the rich,” adds Vengroff. “Everyone will feel it.” Anne Johnson has lived on Siesta Key most of her adult life, settling there with her late husband and young family in the mid-1970s. They bought a modest home not far from the village. They raised two children, enjoyed a full life on the key in what was perhaps a simpler time. But now she’s retired. The kids are grown, with kids of their own now. And with her husband gone, Johnson now finds herself with more house than she really needs. “I’ve been thinking about downsizing,” she said recently. “I’d like to find a place on the mainland closer to the kids.” She hasn’t received the dreaded letter yet from the insurance company with her new rate, but worries about the effect higher premiums will have on any prospective buyers. Current policyholders will have their rates phased in over four years as the law stands now, but new owners will have to pay the higher rates immediately. “It’s certainly not going to make it any easier to sell,” says Johnson. Realtor Ron Noce of Key Realty

on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota faced that very scenario recently. The sticker shock from escalating flood insurance rates could easily have scuttled a deal he had put together for a home in Englewood. “The current owner was paying around $5000 a year for flood coverage,” explained Noce. “But when the British couple that was interested looked into what they would have to pay, they got a quote of over $64,000. I mean that’s quite a jump.” Since banks require the insurance for mortgages in flood zones (which encompass much of Sarasota County, especially to the south), lower and middle class individuals are disproportionately affected. Higher income buyers may have the option of going “naked” by paying cash to avoid the lender’s flood insurance requirement. Luckily for Noce and his seller, that’s what happened in his case. “The buyer decided to put aside some of what they would have had to pay for insurance each year so they could repair any damage from a flood on their own,” he explained. So what should you know about Biggert/Waters if you are in the market for a home or have a policy

Fixing life, and everybody’s problems, wouldn’t be easy – but then, what was? Right away, from Page One, you know that “Who Asked You?” is going to be a lot of fun to read. Betty Jean is a woman with keen sarcasm, not quite beaten down by life – but close! – yet still managing to keep a fingernail-hold on a sense of humor. She’s the best of author Terry McMillan’s signature-cast of strong women characters, but Betty Jean’s not the only. Each woman here is a great surprise, from Nurse Kim to the Social Worker who makes a cameo, but very important, appearance. Not to be ignored, the men in this book round out the story perfectly. I found plenty of burst-out-laughing moments here, some I-didn’t-seethat-coming gasps, and I loved it. If you’re looking for a little escape this weekend, or confirmation that your life isn’t so bad after all, then here’s the novel you want. “Who Asked You?” is fun, and it’s a book you should be fixin’ to read.

that will be renewing soon? We posed that question to Richard Karger, a licensed property and casualty insurance agent based in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, who quotes and writes policies statewide. In a phone interview last week, he outlined his “Karger Basics.” His perspective is based on conversations with literally hundreds of concerned property owners over the past several months. Here is a summary of his “Karger Basics:” 1. Property owners of rental homes, non-primary homes, or commercial property can expect a 25% minimum increase per year until these properties are up to the non-subsidized true flood risk adjusted premium. Owners of primary residences with a current flood policy in place and no history of flood claims can experience a lower rate of annual increase, subject to specific conditions of their property. 2. Arguably more compelling than the above is the fact that all homes must now be re-rated with a current Elevation Certificate, done by a licensed surveyor that measures and defines your property’s “TBF”,

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

By Robert Frederickson

which is not a text messaging abbreviation. It stands for the Top of your Bottom Floor. Obviously this implies homes built on a slab have a lower TBF that an elevated or “stilt” house. Your TBF is then compared to the Base Flood Elevation, (BFE) which is defined by FEMA for most island communities. Gulf side properties have slightly lower numbers than bay side properties. If your TBF-BFE (6’ – 15’ = -9) results in a negative number, expect a premium increase, even if this is your primary home. Many older homes have had flood policies with no elevation certificate associated with it for years, so this is another step at defining and equalizing risk and premium costs for flood policy holders. Until Oct. 1, premium increases were based on estimates only. Since that time, real premium costs have been available. Two such examples provided by Karger can be shared and quantified: Property one – Commercial property, bay frontage. Previously paid $2700 for Flood Ins., received a renewal quote of $47,000, with no change in coverage limits, amounts

Continued from cover story.

or deductibles. Property two – residential single family home, secondary/nonprimary home. Previously paid $1900 and renewal quote received is $14,000 with no change in coverage. So are there any options that could save some money or reduce the increases coming? “Yes, there are,” according to Karger, who explained as follows: 1. Congress can revoke, change, or delay implementation of the Reform Act. While this may or may not happen, property owners have little control over this but can consider and discuss the following options with their insurance agent: 2. Raise your policy deductible amount to assume more risk yourself. This reduces premiums. 3. Reduce the policy coverage on the contents of your property. This is insurance on personal property not part of the dwelling. Many are over-insured in this area according to Karger. This reduces premiums. 4. Reduce the policy property coverage limits, as many policy limits have grown over time or just were wrong to start with. Story continued on page 31.

(941) 706-3421 FREE DELIVERY TO THE KEY 11 AM-6 PM DAILY

FREE WI-FI

FREE BEACH DELIVERY! GOURMET SANDWICHES

COLD BEER!

Build Your Own Sandwich Board

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 22 ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 34

LOCAL MAPS INSIDE

217 AVENIDA MADERA SIESTA KEY VILLAGE, FL 34342 BEACHBITESSIESTA.COM

VILLAGE MAP pgs 18 - 19 ISLAND MAP pg 32 CresCent Beach MAP pg 20 GULF GATE SHOPS pg 24

The Publication with “Key” Information | www.SiestaSand.net | 941.349.0194

Crystal Classic Master Sand Siesta Key Drum Circle Sculpting Highlights Photos by Ashley Stein EVERYTHING UNDER $9

Every Sunday is a perfect time to come to the Key for some wonderful entertainment. I’m talking about the Siesta Key Drum Circle that takes place each Sunday starting a couple hours before sunset and lasting until sunset. The gathering meets up just south of the main pavilion - just follow your ears and watch for the swelling crowd. Photos from Facebook - Siesta Key Drum Circle

Although this year’s event started under rainy skies, it didn’t take long for the weather to clear. Below are some highlights of the magnificent sand sculptures created from our crystal white Siesta sand.

First Place: “Brainstorm (An Ode to Caffeine)” by Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher

Second Place: “World Breathe” by Michelle Ciappini and Jan Zilinka

Third Place: “The Amazin Sand Castle Machine” by Matt Long and Andy Gerhler

2013 People’s Choice, “Pint of No Return” by Bill Dow and Craig Mutch

|Rocketman Shop

1888 Stickney Point Road., | Sarasota, FL 34231 | 941.923.2096 | www.rocketmanshop.com Our Rock & Roll Lifestyle shop provides everything you need to get your grove on. You’ll find a wide variety of products from your favorite musical bands, as well as bags & clothing, incense, recreational items, wall tapestries, full line of top rated local & domestic blown glass, acrylic & metal pipes, hookahs & shisha, blunt wraps & papers, tobacco & rolling machines, body cleansers & supplements, body jewelry, purses, hemp wear, storage containers & stealthy diversion safes, zippo lighters and lots of items not “made in China…” and much more!! We can help you find the products that are right for you. Our new extended store hours are 10am – 10pm, 7 days a week. Be sure to use the 20% coupon found on the front page.

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Sandfest 2013 Highlights

Photos by Ryan Magee

This year’s Sandfest theme was Gilligan’s Island

Mark Sm Kouvats crew prep serve the cro

The cast of Gilligans Island: Mrs & Mr Howell - Joan Woods and Vern Johnson; Marianne - Desiree Hanright; Gilligan - Russell Matthes; Skipper - Dave Magee; Ginger - Rachel Matthes; The Professor - Mark Smith

Sheila & Mark Lewis of Siesta Sports Rentals try the lifesavers on for size

Map B #42

The 201 was wel with o gu

Beach Bazaar...................................... Map-C #28 Beach Bazaar’s Swin Shack............. Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.................................. Map-B #30 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More.........Map-D #64 Foxy Lady Fashions........................... Map-A #40 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions............... Map-B #44 Island Cotton Company.....................Map-C #29 Le Grand Bisou Chic Boutique......... Map-D #11 Siesta T’s............................................... Map-B #30 Sun Glass Outlet & Henna.................Map-C #24 GAS STATION Circle K Store......................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar...................................... Map-C #28 Created Gems......................................Map-C #51 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions............... Map-B #44 Hurricane Rita’s Gifts.........................Map-C #51 Mount-N-Repair.................................. Map-B #48 Sea Pleasures & Treasures...................Map-C #2 Siesta Key Bead Shack....................... Map-A #36 Siesta Key’psakes................................ Map-B #29 Siesta Key Outfitters.......................... Map-D #11 Siesta Key University....................... Map-A #36

AccomModations Siesta Beach Resort ........................Map-A #38A ART GALLERY / STUDIO Calle Studios.........................................Map-B #32 ATM / BANKS PNC ATM............................................. Map-C #61 Martin Funding......................................Map-E #1 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.........................Map-E #4 Bakery & Deli A Taste of Germany............................Map-C #53 Heavenly Cupcakes.............................Map-B #50 Meany’s Mini Donuts......................... Map-C #24 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blase Café.............................................Map-A #38 Blu Que Island Grill............................ Map-C #57 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar................Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s...............................................Map-B #33 Siesta Key Oyster Bar........................ Map-B #45 The Beach Club....................................Map-D #22 The Cottage.......................................... Map-C #58 The Hub-Baja Grill..............................Map-D #59 BOOK STORES Used Book Heaven...............................Map-B #48 COFFEE SHOPS Lelu’s Coffee Lounge...........................Map-B #31 The Local Bean................................... Map-D #62 DRUG & HARDWARE Davidson’s Drugs................................Map-D #65 Village Hardware................................ Map-C #26 FASHION & ACCESSORIES Aqua Beachwear................................ Map-D #12

Map D #11

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

New Health Bar Serving the Village

mith, Alex sos and paring to e hungry owd

13 Sandfest ll attended over 500 uests.

Fire Dancers mesmerized the crowd

HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ................ Map-D #10 Siesta Key Fitness..............................Map-B #73 Studio Rubylakes................................ Map-B #49

SASSY HAIR

on Siesta Key

ICE CREAM/treats Big Olaf Creamery..............................Map-C #52 Ciao Gelato...........................................Map-C #50 SubZero Ice Cream Yogurt............... Map-D #16 Sunni Bunni Frozen Yogurt...............Map-C #53

Map A #40

209 Beach Road Sarasota, FL 34242 941.349.6525

INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs................................. Map-D #65 Internet Cafe......................................... Map-D #9 Lelu Coffee Lounge............................. Map-B #31 The Local Bean...................................Map-D #62 JEWELRY Created Gems......................................Map-C #51 Michael & Co. Jewelers...................... Map-B #29 Mount -N- Repair Jewelers................ Map-B #48 LIQUOR STORES / Fine Wines Gabbiano’s Wine Club....................... Map-D #70 Gilligan’s.............................................. Map-B #33 Siesta Key Wines............................... Map-C #61 The Beach Club................................... Map-D #22

Located inside the Local Bean Café, Nirvana Juice Bar served its first health drink to locals last month. Rosie Tibet, owner of this new addition, has been juicing for many years and has an extensive health food background. She prepares each beverage on site using 100% whole fruit for her “smoothees” with no added sugar, fat, or preservatives. You can include nutritional add-ins like protein, fat burner or an energy blast. In addition to the “smoothees”, Nirvana also offers a raw vegetable juice menu where all drinks are fresh pressed to order. So now you have a choice of a cup of Joe or veggie juice to accompany you on your morning beach walks. 5138 Ocean Blvd., in the Village.

Celebrating another successful Sandfest,Chair, Tom Kouvatsos takes a break during preparations for dinner

wSw Sa S ywH. sa ai rs s y h a i r . c o m on Siesta Key

209 Beach Road Sarasota, FL 34242 941.349.6525 www.sassyhair.com

Map D #11

• segway rentals • PaDDleBOarDs • scOOter cars • kayak tOurs/rentals • Bikes • scOOters • Beach gear 5255 Ocean Blvd • Siesta Key Village www.robinhoodrentals.net

941-554-4242

MAILING - SHIPPING UPS store............................................. Map-A #41 US Post Office..................................... Map-D #65 MARKETS/FOOD STORES 7-11 Store.............................................. Map-B #46 Circle K Store......................................... Map-E #6 Siesta Market........................................Map-C #25

Map C #53

MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage.................... Map-B #35 Massage Experience Siesta Key......Map-D #62 Siesta Key Massage Ctr....................... Map-D #9 MEDICAL - DENTAL Dr. Barry LaClair MD.........................Map-C #56 E.K. Koster DMD................................ Map-D #63 Karen F. Leggett, D.O.........................Map-C #56 Siesta Key Physical Therapy............. Map-D #20 Siesta Smiles Dentistry....................... Map-B #49 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce..................... Map-D #67 Roberti Enterprises............................ Map-A #39 Sheriff’s Office...................................... Map-D #9 Solorzano Smoke Shop.......................Map-C #50 PROFESSIONAL SERVICEs CG Designs.......................................... Map-E #74 Edward Jones Investments............... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................. Map-E #74 REAL ESTATE / Rental SERVICES Ascendia Real Estate.......................... Map-D #11 Beachside Resorts Rental.................. Map-D #11 Charles Rutenburg Realty..................Map-C #53 Coldwell Banker Realty..................... Map-D #20 Horizon Realty.................................... Map-B #34 Island Homes.......................................Map-C #51 Key Realty.............................................. Map-E #5 Michael Saunders Realty..................Map-E #72 Re/Max Alliance Group................... Map-D #60 ReMax Tropical Sands....................... Map-D #67 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate..... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Realty.................................. Map-D #9 Waterside Realty.................................Map-C #29 RESTAURANTS Another Broken Egg..................Map-C #54 & 55 Beach Bites..........................................Map-D #16 Blase Café............................................ Map-A #38 Blu Que Island Grill......................... Map-C #57 Bonjour French Cafe...........................Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano.................................... Map-D #71 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar............... Map-B #42-43 Eat Here Restaurant.....................Map-D #17/18 Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar.................. Map-B #29 Flavio’s Italiano Ristorante................ Map-B #30 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill.............. Map-B #33 The Hub - Baja Grill........................... Map-D #59 Jo To’s Japanese Restaurant...............Map-C #47 LeLu’s Coffee Bar................................ Map-B #31 Lobster Pot.......................................... Map-C #23 Napoli’s Italian Restaurant................Map-C #53 Old Salty Dog Rest. & Pub................... Map-E #2 Señor Siesta......................................... Map-D #69 Siesta Key Oyster Bar........................Map-B #45 Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria.................... Map-D #15 Subway Sandwiches........................... Map-B #30 Sun Garden Café................................ Map-D #19 The Cottage..........................................Map-C #58 Village Café........................................Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY Nails By Iris..........................................Map-C #50 Salon Capelli......................................... Map-D #9 Sassy Hair Salon................................ Map-A #40 Siesta Key Nails...................................Map-D #9 Village Barber....................................... Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/Rentals CaliFlorida............................................ Map-B #32 Robin Hood Rentals.........................Map-D #34 Siesta Village Outfitters................... Map-C #53

Map C #61

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

Gifts & Souvenirs Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs.............................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts................. C-3 #14 The Silversmith ...................................... D-4 #17 Silver City Jewelry.................................. C-3 #14 Health & Beauty Lorraine’s Beauty & Barber.....................B-3 #8 Salon Siesta............................................... D-4 #17 Siesta Key Salon & Spa........................... C-3 #14 The Key Spa & Salon.............................. A-5 #12 Ice Cream & Treats Orange Octopus .......................................B-3 #8 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson’s Drugs.................................... C-3 #14 Mail Pack Center.................................... C-3 #14 Liquor Stores Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 Crescent Club............................................B-3 #13

Siesta Spirits............................................. C-4 #17 Mailing & Shipping Mail Pack Center.................................... C-3 #14 US Post Office Sub Station..................... C-3 #14 Markets 7-11 Store.................................................. C-3 #16 Big Water Fish Market.......................... C-4 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery..........................B-3 #1 Miscellaneous Moving & Storage....................................B-3 #10 Flowers by Fudgie................................... D-3 #17 Real Estate / RENTALS Beckmann Realty........................................B-3 #8 Homes & Condo Rentals........................ D-3 #17 Moynihan Realty..................................... D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands............................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent.............................................. C-3 #1 Restaurants

“A Tropical Department Store“

THE GREEN TURTLE

Hand-Mixed Ice Cream • Cones • Shakes • Malts • Sundaes • Smoothies • Coffee & Bagels

In Season Hours 8AM-9:30PM

Map B-3#8

Home of the Orange Squeeze!

941 346 8080 •

•

City Pizza Italian Restaurant............... D-3 #17 Clayton’s Siesta Grille...............................B-3 #9 Javier’s Restaurant.................................. C-3 #17 Miguel’s Restaurant............................... C-3 #17 Water Sports - Fishing - RENTALS A to Z Beach & Bike Rentals.................. A-5 #12 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures.A-5 #12 Siesta Key Bike & Kayak . ......................B-3 #8 Siesta Key Jetski (inside CB’s)................. A-3 #4 Siesta Key Marina..................................... A-4 #5 Siesta Key Parasailing............................... A-4 #5 Siesta Key Watersports........................... A-5 #12 Siesta Paddle Sports................................ D-4 #17 Siesta Sports Rentals............................. C-3 #14 Waves Boat & Social Club...................... A-5 #12

SHELL & GIFT CITY

er Sale up Ladies Bathing Suits $

Siesta Key’s Most Friendly & Unique Shopping Spot! SOUTHBRIDGE MALL

CRESCENT BEACH

Featuring:

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill.................A-5 #12 Capt. Curts Crab & Oyster Bar.................B-3 #7

ATM & Banks Bank of America........................................ A-3 #3 Bars & Nightclubs Capt. Curt’s Backroom Saloon................B-3 #7 Crescent Club........................................... C-3 #13 Sniki Tiki....................................................B-3 #8 Delis & Sandwiches Anna’s Sandwiches................................ C-3 #14 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery..... ......................................................................B-3 #1 DRUG STORES Davidson’s Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 Fashion & Accessories CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Coconuts Fashion.....................B-3 #1 & B-3 #8 Green Turtle Swimwear......................... C-3 #14 Key Casual Fashions............................... D-4 #17 Things You Like...................................... C-3 #14

19.95 Reg. To $49.00

SIESTA KEY

Siesta Key’s Largest Seashell & Coral Selection!

GIFTS & SOUVENIRS BEACH FASHIONS BEACH SUPPLIES BEACH COVER-UPS LADIES & JUNIORS FASHIONS SUPER MEN'S LINE In South Bridge Mall

1220 Old Stickney Point Road Siesta Key • Behind Captain Curt’s Restaurant Corner of Midnight Pass & Old Stickney Point Road

6525 Midnight Pass Road

MAP B-3#14

349-4751

green TURTLE COUPON

FREE! FREE! FREE! A Free Tropical Gift! 79 c Just For Stopping In

VALUE

With This Coupon

No Purchase Necessary

EXPIRES:7/05/2010 Expires 12/31/13

Map C-3#14

Expires 12/31/2013

Map B-3#8

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-3 #4

Coconuts Fashion MAP 1215 Old Stickney Point Rd. B-3 #1&8

Siesta 4-Rent 6555 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #1

City Pizza 6645 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP D-3 #17

Miguel’s Restaurant 6631 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #17

Sarasota Wind & Water Adventures 1518 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

PLACE YOUR AD HERE Island Visitor Publishing 941-349-0194

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Snapshots of Island Visitors

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Water World

Captain Jim Klopfer

December is a month that will test an angler’s ability to adapt to current conditions. Water quality will vary throughout the area as passing cold fronts churn up the Gulf of Mexico. The flats between Stickney Pt. and Blackburn Pt. will be more productive under these circumstances. After several days of nice weather, the water near the passes will clear and those areas will once again be good spots to fish. Creeks and canals will attract fish as water temperatures drop. Often times the tides will be very low in the morning in December. This will move trout, pompano, and other species off of the flats and into the deeper channels. There simply is not enough water up on the flat for them to be comfortable. Bouncing a jig down the sides of channel edges can be very productive. As the tide rises, fish will move up onto the flats to feed. Afternoon high tides can be the best time to fish the deep flats this time of year. A live shrimp under a cork is very effective, as are jigs with plastic grub tails. Natural colors such as olive, rootbeer, and motor oil work well in the slightly darker water. Oyster bars south of Siesta Drive will hold redfish, snook, and trout, along with the first of the migrating sheepshead. Bars that drop off sharply into deeper water will be the most productive spots. Free lined live shrimp and scented soft plastics on a 1/8 ounce jig head work well. Docks, canals, and creeks in this same area will also hold fish, especially after fronts; the water will be warmer and cleaner in these areas.

Adventure Charters 941-371-1390

On cold mornings the very back of a canal will have the warmest and may concentrate fish. There are several creeks and countless canals in our area, and all of them are productive winter time spots. Phillippi Creek and the Grand Canal on Siesta Key are some of the most popular fishing holes. Rapala X-Raps work very well on snook and jack crevelle for anglers who prefer to cast artificial baits. They elicit explosive strikes and allow anglers to cover a lot of area fairly quickly. Once fish are located, large live shrimp and slowly worked soft plastic baits will also catch their share. Sheepshead and black drum will be found in the deeper holes, a live shrimp works best for these tasty bottom dwellers. Both Big Pass and New Pass will be good spots to fish when the water is clean, especially on the morning incoming tide. Jigs bounced off the bottom will catch pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and ladyfish. Structure in both passes will attract sheepshead, along with grouper, snapper, flounder, and other species. Slack tides are the best times to fish these spots, a swiftly moving tide makes getting the bait to the bottom difficult. The many docks along Bird Key are especially productive for sheepies. Surf casters all along Siesta Key will score on whiting, silver trout, flounder, and more using live and frozen shrimp. A #1 hook with just a little bit of weight works best. Silver spoons will catch mackerel if they are still around, along with ladyfish.

Jim Whalen from Chicago, IL caught this nice winter snook in Phillippi Creek on a Rapala X-Rap

DECEMBER 2013 TIDE CHART Florida, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sarasota Bay

Top: Nariah age 7, Dan, Sydney age 5, Shalom from Minnesota. Middle: Mark from SRQ at Casey Key Fish House. Bottom: Cindy & her pup Venus from Michigan.

|The Rumrunner Located at Turtle Beach Marina in South Siesta Key | 941.349.3119 www.siestakeycharterfishing.com Captain Joe Bonaro offers more than exciting deep sea fishing opportunities aboard “Sarasota’s

fastest charter boat,” the Rumrunner (941/349-3119). The skipper offers special boat and fishing trips for families – and for families with small children – as well as customized day and overnight trips.

December 2013

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

1217pm

High Tide 1.4

1010pm

High Tide 2.4

556am

Low Tide -0.4

440pm

Low Tide 1.0

704am

535pm

527am

439pm

112pm

1.3

1050pm

2.5

643am

-0.6

514pm

1.1

705am

535pm

632am

534pm

205pm

1.3

1134pm

2.5

729am

-0.6

551pm

1.1

706am

535pm

736am

636pm

255pm

1.3

817am

-0.6

636pm

1.1

706am

535pm

837am

741pm

1221am

2.4

342pm

1.2

905am

-0.6

732pm

1.1

707am

535pm

933am

847pm

114am

2.3

426pm

1.3

955am

-0.5

844pm

1.0

708am

535pm

1024am

952pm

213am

2.0

509pm

1.3

1045am

-0.2

1014pm

0.9

709am

536pm

1110am

1056pm

324am

1.7

550pm

1.4

1135am

0.0

1156pm

0.8

709am

536pm

1152am

1157pm

456am

1.5

631pm

1.6

1224pm

0.3

710am

536pm

1232pm

646am

1.3

713pm

1.6

133am

0.6

113pm

0.5

711am

536pm

110pm

1257am

832am

1.2

753pm

1.8

255am

0.3

159pm

0.6

711am

536pm

148pm

154am

1000am

1.1

831pm

1.9

359am

0.0

243pm

0.8

712am

537pm

227pm

251am

1110am

1.2

908pm

2.0

452am

-0.2

324pm

0.9

713am

537pm

308pm

347am

1207pm

1.2

942pm

2.1

537am

-0.4

402pm

1.0

713am

537pm

350pm

441am

1255pm

1.2

1015pm

2.1

616am

-0.5

437pm

1.0

714am

538pm

435pm

535am

133pm

1.2

1047pm

2.1

652am

-0.5

511pm

1.0

714am

538pm

523pm

626am

202pm

1.2

1120pm

2.1

724am

-0.5

548pm

1.0

715am

538pm

612pm

715am

226pm

1.2

1155pm

2.0

755am

-0.5

627pm

1.0

716am

539pm

703pm

801am

247pm

1.2

826am

-0.5

712pm

0.9

716am

539pm

754pm

843am

1233am

1.9

309pm

1.2

858am

-0.4

801pm

0.8

717am

540pm

845pm

923am

115am

1.8

335pm

1.3

931am

-0.3

858pm

0.8

717am

540pm

937pm

1000am

202am

1.6

405pm

1.4

1006am

-0.1

1002pm

0.7

718am

541pm

1029pm

1036am

255am

1.5

440pm

1.4

1043am

0.0

1114pm

0.6

718am

541pm

1121pm

1110am

359am

1.3

518pm

1.5

1122am

0.2

719am

542pm

520am

1.1

559pm

1.6

1232am

0.5

1204pm

0.4

719am

542pm

1214am

1220pm

701am

1.0

643pm

1.7

150am

0.3

1248pm

0.6

719am

543pm

109am

1257pm

Phase

New

1st

Full

1144am

849am

0.9

728pm

1.8

301am

0.0

134pm

0.6

720am

544pm

207am

138pm

1023am

1.0

815pm

2.0

403am

-0.3

222pm

0.8

720am

544pm

307am

224pm

1137am

1.0

902pm

2.1

458am

-0.5

312pm

0.9

721am

545pm

409am

316pm

1233pm

1.1

951pm

2.2

549am

-0.7

402pm

0.9

721am

546pm

513am

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941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Who’s Playing Tonight

By Mike Sales

|An interview with Kara Nally The first time I heard Kara Nally, was at SKOB. She was guest hosting the open mic, with Sandi Grecco, singing a little, introducing the various participants and making the rounds to make everyone feel welcome. Every time I go to see her, like on Thursdays at the laid back open mic at Lelu Café, she is exactly the same; delighted to see everyone, attentive to the audience and on top of everything. Its as if she were hosting a party at her house, which isn’t too far from the truth. When Kara has a gig, it becomes her house. Of the local full-time musicians, she is one of the best self-promoters in town. A quick Google search will tell you where she’s playing, nearly every night of the week, because she is constantly posting and promoting. She plays the top venues and always fields the best musicians in town for her band. To see her show is to watch a tremendous entertainer having the time of her life. I interviewed Kara, on the patio at one of her open mic nights; while some guests were onstage…she had me pose for a picture with her first. WPT – Is that a good one? Ok, where are you from? Kara – Norwell, Massachusetts WPT – How long have you been singing? Kara – Since I was in first grade. I auditioned to sing “Hero”, by Mariah Carey, but sang in my first band at the age of 14, and continued to sing with various bands until I moved down here and took a little break. WPT – How long have you lived in Sarasota? Kara – Since April 12th, 2005

WPT – What was your first gig in Sarasota? Kara – It was at Sarasota Vineyards, singing to tracks. WPT – How did you break into the band scene here? Kara - I got into a band off of Craigslist. I also went to Rich & Pete’s Broadway jam and they suggested I go to the Flying Dog jam, then I went to Al Fuller’s jam and wound up meeting some really talented people. WPT – Do you have a day job? Kara – No, but up until 8 months ago, I was working 10-6pm Monday through Saturday at Ana Molinari, while I was gigging 5 nights a week and I was exhausted. WPT – How many gigs do you play every week? Kara – 6 gigs. (There’s a pause in the interview, when bass player Johnnie Barker comes out to the patio to say hi, show Kara his new ipad, and talk about studying for his pilot’s license. The conversation on my interview recording is fun in that it really conveys the family-like nature of the music community in this town. I couldn’t help but listen to the whole interaction, so I’m mentioning it.) WPT - Which local bands do you go to see? Kara – On the rare occasions I get to go see anybody, I go see “Kettle of Fish” for sure, “Lauren Mitchell” and “Nick LeValley”. WPT - I need to go see him. Kara – You do. On Friday, he’s playing happy hour at Ocean Blues and “Kettle of Fish” is playing that

night, while Stonefish is playing happy hour at the “5’0” and we’re playing that night, so Dana and I, both from Norwell, Mass, will be playing the same night, next door to each other on Hillview. WPT – Yes, and as you know, I interviewed Dana last month, how cool is that? Kara – We both worked at the same little coffee shop in Norwell, called “Drums Emporium”. WPT – I say again, how cool is that? What can the audience expect to see at your show? Kara – It’s a cross between funk, rock, blues and pop. (one of her girlfriends has joined us and they begin to play with the words) “FunkyRockBluesPop…say that 10 times fast”. WPT – What’s your favorite thing about being a professional musician? Kara – The fact that I get to tell people that. (laughs) Being able to do something that I am truly passionate about is the coolest feeling.

Kara Nally Kara Nally can be found on Facebook, twitter, YouTube, karanally.com, reverbnation.com, gotonight.com, songkick.com artistdata.com and at least a dozen other listings and social media websites.

Mike Sales is a local singer/ songwriter. For more information visit mikesalessings.com

WPT – What are you career goals? Kara - Right now, I am working on recording an album of originals. Long-term, I want to go as far as I can go. WPT – Do you play originals at your shows? Kara - yes WPT – What’s your message to your audience? Kara – Love your life, and don’t let anybody hold you back.

Performing Live Weekly Monday through Friday • Noon - 3:00 PM

BluQue Island Grill 149 Avenida Messina ~ Siesta Key

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE

Lelu Coffee Lounge is located in the Village at 5251 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Island Humor [ Our seven-year-old daughter was thrilled when we took her to Disney World for the first time and headed straight for Space Mountain. I worried that the roller coaster would be too scary for her, but she insisted. To her delight, we rode it twice. The next year we returned to the Magic Kingdom, and my daughter, now eight, again dragged me to Space Mountain. As we stood in line, though, I could see her soberly studying the signs that warn about the ride’s speed. “Dad,” she said, “I don’t think I want to go.” I asked her why she would be nervous when she had enjoyed herself last time. She replied, “This year, I can read.” [ There was a blonde who had been planning a trip to Orlando for almost a year. She had saved her money and was determined to take this trip. Nothing or no one was going to stand in her way of enjoying something that had taken her so long to plan. When she boarded the airplane, she settled herself into a firstclass seat. It wasn’t long until another passenger tapped her on

the shoulder and told her she was in his seat. She adamantly replied, “I am blonde. I have saved for over a year for this trip to Orlando and I am traveling first-class. I will not move.” The other passenger complained to the flight attendant. The flight attendant walked up to the blonde and politely asked her to please move to the coach seat that was assigned her. The blonde again said, “I am blonde. I have saved for over a year for this trip to Orlando and I am traveling first-class. I will not move.” The flight attendant stalked up to the Captain and calmly told him what had happened. He said he would handle it. The Captain leaned over the blonde and whispered in her ear. She immediately gathered her things and hurriedly moved to the back of the airplane. Both the other passenger and the flight attendant looked at each other in disbelief, and the flight attendant asked the Captain exactly what was it he said that settled this disagreement so readily. He smiled and replied, “I simply told her the front of the plane was not going to Orlando.”

[ Dear Florida Lotto, I know I chose the winning numbers for Wednesday’s FL Lotto drawing. But upon further review, it appears the incorrect numbers appeared on my ticket. How could this happen? The root cause of this dilemma is the form I filled out to get my ticket. The form is very confusing. I thought I was choosing one set of numbers, (the winning numbers), when in reality I chose a completely different set of numbers. The numbers and boxes on the form are so close together, it’s impossible to determine which box to fill in for which number. I checked with at least 3,000 other people, and they all had the exact same problem. I’m sure if you review the form I filled out, it will become very clear that I’m entitled to the money from Wednesday’s drawing. Please reply with the date, time, and location, for me to collect the winnings due me. Sincerely, John Smith West Palm Springs, Florida

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They work all year to make your Christmas a one-of-a-kind occasion, so raise a toast with a drink just for them! Delicious, flavorful and perfect for raising everyone’s holiday spirits.

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Combine melon liqueur, vodka, and cranberry juice in an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with cherries.

Q: How long have you been bartending? A: 6 years. Q: What was the strangest or funniest thing you experienced at work? A: One time I had a bachelorette party at my bar, trying to fill out a crazy scavenger hunt... After quite a bit of back and forth I bended my will, and let’s just say that somewhere around the world there might be a picture of me and a bride to be wearing each others clothes! Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: I spend quite a bit of time riding bicycles. I’m trying to build up to a century ride (100mi in one sitting) I’m not even close! Q: How would you describe yourself? A: Crazy, Sexy, Cool. TLC, anyone?!

Q: How would you describe SKOB? A: Wow. how much time do I have?!? It’s an amazing place of community and vibrancy that is so many different microcosms within itself I would need to do a thesis to describe in full! It’s like being in your own living room. We all know one another, and if you’re new we will do our best to make you feel right at home. Typical new guest: “I’m just going to stay for a few beers.” (five hours later) “I love this place!”

Recipe and Photos by www.freefunchristmas.com

Q: When’s the best time to see you? A: Monday and Tuesday Nights!

1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key FL 34242

Siesta Key Bike & Kayak Fun for your vacation with Bike & Kayak Rental. Tours, Delivery & Pick-up. 346-0891

Lorraine’s Island Hair Design Full Service salon. Open Monday thru Saturday. 346-7206

Home of the Orange Squeeze! Featuring hand-mixed ice cream, coffees, shakes, malts, sundaes, & smoothies. Open Til 9:30pm 941-346-8080

Coconut Fashions The best in service, quality, & design. Beachwear & accessories for the whole family. 349-4498

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Solorzano Restaurant Celebrates 10th Anniversary – Get $10. Off S-54

Solorzano’s Restaurant is celebrating their 10th Anniversary since they first opened their Restaurant in Sarasota. To help them celebrate they are offering $10 off any bottle of wine or $10 off your total bill (one offer per table). Solorzano’s owners, Carlos and Franca bring the flavors of Hoboken NJ to their cozy restaurant were you feel like you just walked into their dining room and you’re treated like family, Jersey style. They also offer a wine dinner each month. Be sure to call for reservations since this little restaurant continues to bring back satisfied customers clamoring for more. 941-906-9444, 6516 Superior Ave. (Gulf Gate)

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SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

|Discover Gulf Gate... Be sure to include a trip to the Gulf Gate shops next time you frequent the Sarasota Pavilion. With our map, located on the previous page, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease. Oh Mamma Mia! (GG-4) Offers a truly unique dining experience with dinner shows by Chef Giuseppe Urbano. Enjoy the family ambiance as you watch him prepare an authentic Italian regional dish with fresh ingredients just for you. Fine dining, great atmosphere at casual dining prices. Reservations highly recommended. Gulf Gate Golf Course – Conveniently located just a stones throw from the Gulf Gate Shops, this 27 hole Executive Course offers men’s and women’s rental clubs. You can start your day with a round of golf, enjoy a bite to eat at the many wonderful restaurants or simply relax with a pint of ale at the pub before you head out to explore the many fine shops. Moments In Time Photography (G-28) specializes in several different photography services including Siesta Key Beach portraits starting at just $49 and wedding beginning at $495. Check out their website: www. sarasotaphotos.com or visit their store to see why they have been the photographer of choice for over a decade and a half. Piccolos Italian Market & Deli (GG-49) carries a full line of imported cheeses, fresh baked bread daily, homemade sausages, fresh mozzarella, and numerous hard to get items. They now carry Khorasan Wheat which is an ancient and organic grain. Their Deli is complete with huge hot and cold sandwiches, salads, fresh homemade lasagna and baked ziti. And, you cannot leave without trying their cannoli filled with their own homemade cannoli cream or the tiramisu or Sfogliatelle from Brooklyn. Here is where you will find great Italian specialty gourmet items without the gourmet price. Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food - Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works... dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot. All served in true Authentic Chicago Style. Scandinavian Gifts (GG-37) has an extensive selection of gifts and Scandinavian foods. The specialties here include candles, Ekelund table linens, Flensted mobiles, imported glassware, Swedish Klippan textiles and so much more. The baked goods and groceries include imported candies, salty licorice, as well as cheeses, breads, seafood and vegetables from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Sarasota Brewing Co. (G-4) Sarasota’s first micro brew pub always has something new to offer. From over 20 seasonal beers that rotate throughout the year, the Brewing Company always has at least five unique brews online as well as several favorites from around the world. Established in 1989, Their menu has been a winner in the Reader’s Choice Awards of the Sarasota Herald Tribune featuring their mouthwatering burgers, Chicago style Pizzas, and Chicago beef sandwiches. With dozens of televisions, it’s a great place to catch a game with friends and family. Solorzano’s Italian/American Restaurant (S-54) brings a true Hoboken New Jersey attitude to the area and offers a nice selection of made-to-order dishes in their cozy restaurant. Solorzano’s offers an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Operating since 2003, Nontando (G-34) has an extensive selection of African Art, Home Décor and Gifts. Specialties include Textiles, Ceremonial Masks, Ceramics, Stone and Wood Carvings, Music, Framed Art, Metal Sculptures, Wire and Beadwork, Food Condiments, Candles, Glassware, and much more. The owners of Nontando travel annually to the African continent to do their buying and bring you 100% authentic, affordable and unique products of the highest quality. www.nontando.com West End Pub (G-49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bring your own restaurant or deli food? Right here…

Arts on the Horizon

By Jaye Clements

December 1 to January 5 - Icons of Style at the Ringling Museum of Art

December 7 – Bradenton Blues Festival – Downtown Bradenton

Go behind-the-scenes and explore the roles of designers, models, and the media who create the fashion buzz and how they interconnect. Join the experts for a Gallery Walk & Talk that focuses on fashion. Explore the process of creating icons of style from design concept to the finished piece. Multiple fashion designer pieces will be on display along with illustrations and photographs. The exhibition will feature runway pieces by John Galliano for Dior, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Olivier Theyskens for Rochas, Arnold Scaasi, and Christian Lacroix. The exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. http://www.ringling.org/events/gallerywalk-talk-icons-style-0

World-class Blues artists will headline in this much anticipated event. Last year’s festival was sold out! This is the second year for the Blues festival in Bradenton and last year was a tremendous success… It’s a family friendly music event with food, fun and art by the bay at Bradenton’s Riverwalk. Music Line Up 11:00am – 11:40am Albert Castiglia 11:55am – 12:55pm Johnny Rawls 1:10pm – 2:10pm John Nemeth 2:25pm – 3:25pm Anthony Gomes 3:40pm – 4:40pm Trampled Underfoot 4:55pm – 6:05pm Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang 6:20pm – 7:35pm Shemekia Copeland Between acts: Doug Deming, Dennis Gruenling and the Jewel tones For more on each go to http://www. bradentonbluesfestival.org/line-up/ Tickets are $30 in advance & $40 at the gate ($20 for students and $10 for children 5 to12. Kids 4 & under are free! For more information visit: www. BradentonBluesFestival.org There will also be an auction to raise funds for Realize Bradenton’s youth music programs. Also, on Friday, December 6, “Blues in the Schools,” an outreach program at Manatee High School, will feature appearances by a selection of festival artists, who share their talents and expert advice with students.

December 1 – Jingle Paws at Twin Lakes Sarasota noon to 5pm Fun for the whole family! It’s a free pet holiday event. http://jinglepawsjubilee. com/2013/07/01/third-annual-jingle-pawsjubil

December 3 & 4 at 8pm – Hello Dolly at the Van Wezel

December 7 & 8

Starring Award winner, Sally Struthers, from “All in the Family” and the “Gilmour Girls”. Hello dolly has received 10 Tony awards, including Best Musical. Enjoy this Broadway classic! vanwezel.org

KT Sullivan vocalist with Jon Weber on piano, at the Asolo! Artist Series Concerts http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/ktsullivan-cabaret-singer-with-joneber-piano/

December 5 - Holiday Splendor at the Ringling Museum

The 12 Days of Christmas at 3pm – Riverview High School

Celebrate the holiday season and support the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The event will feature holiday music and performances by local area Elementary, Middle, and High school students. Admission is free with one unwrapped toy per guest or without a toy, at the regular “Art after 5” admission: $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6 - 17, free for 5 and under. Toys will be available for purchase in the Museum Store.

December 8 December 11

5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Historic Downtown Venice. Live entertainment, food & drinks, with Santa on hand & holiday decorations. (Santa will be on Miami Avenue in the breezeway)

Bill Schustik in the Munchtime Musicale Performance at noon, at the David Cohen Hall – Bill Schustik is a musician, historian, and folklorist. He is sometimes referred to as the “American Troubadour,” and has an intense sense of drama and love for the traditional American experience, which he displays in his performances. This captivating singer, musician and storyteller plays the guitar, banjo, harmonica, mouth harp and more during his exceptional performances. Schustik has performed for three U.S. presidents, appeared both on and off Broadway, authored two full-length ballets and has written a show about the American Civil War. Schustik will perform “A Troubadour’s Christmas,” a concert of holiday songs, with traditional and rarely heard songs. He will surprise the audience with a familiar song written by a Connecticut Yankee who wrote battle songs for the south during the Civil War. Munchtime Musicales are a series of free concerts by area artists sponsored by the Sarasota Concert Association. http:// scasarasota.org/munchtime.htm

December 6 to 8 - Sarasota Craft Show by American Art Marketing.

December 11, 12, 13, 14 It’s a Wonderful Life at Holley Hall.

December 5 at 8pm – Cheap Trick A legendary group from the 70’s at the Van Wezel - vanwezel.org

December 5 - The Annual Christmas Walk.

Robarts Arena - Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm - Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm Admission: $9 Children 12 & under free. www.sarasotacraftshow.com

A Christmas Jazz Suite, A Klezmer Nutcracker and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Christmas favorites, Deck the Halls, Silent Night and Joy to the World. Tickets $29 - $49 www.sarasotaorchestra.org/index.php/ concerts/let-it-snow

December 14 & 15 from 10am-4pm

Art in the Garden: A Holiday Art Boutique at the Art Center Sarasota. www. artsarasota.org

December 20 & 21 – John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker Performed by the Sarasota Ballet & the Sarasota Orchestra at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall! Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm & 8:00pm Follow a girl’s dream to join the circus in this production of Sarasota’s own Nutcracker. Music presented by The Sarasota Orchestra and performances by The Sarasota Ballet. Hoffmann’s original story with Sarasota circus flare will be sure to create lifelong family memories. John Ringling Circus Nutcracker draws on Sarasota’s connection with the Ringling Brother’s Circus. Adapting Hoffmann’s 120-year-old original storyline, the ballet follows the storyline of a little girl (Clara) who runs away from New York City to join the Ringling Circus. Set in the art deco period, characters from Hoffman’s original Nutcracker are re-imagined as celebrated circus figures from the city’s past. 20 children from the Sarasota Ballet School will perform with the Sarasota Ballet.

December 21 at 2pm Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Asolo. http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/ amahl-and-the-night-visitors/

December 21 & 22 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year at the Asolo. Featuring Broadway’s original “Annie”, Andrea McArdle with pianist Steve Marzullo. http://artistseriesconcerts.org/event/themost-wonderful-time-of-the-year/

December 22 at 7pm A Christmas Carol Van Wezel celebrates its version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Enjoy an enchanted set with traditional Christmas carols intertwined with the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge. This National Touring Production is a must see Family Holiday Classic. vanwezel.org

December 27 at 7:30PM Jukebox Memories at the Players Theatre A musical journey through yesteryear! Music from the 50’s & 60’s. Featuring Blend a quartet performing hits from that era, including familiar music from the Temptations, The Sha-na-nas and the Shirelles. http://theplayers.org/index.php/ jukebox-memories-a-musical-journeythrough-yesteryear/

No Time To Cook?

I’ll prepare a traditional Italian dinner in your kitchen. 941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Featured Artist

By Diana Colson

|The creative world of Kenney DeCamp The creative life of Kenney DeCamp is one that is truly unique. In the 1970’s while working as an orthopedic Physician’s Assistant (PA) at Patterson Army Hospital in New Jersey, Kenney met Bruce Springsteen. He soon became involved with the production company that was booking Bruce’s first band, Steel Mill. They brought Kenney and his Doctor’s Bag along for the tour, where he would be available to treat people who had minor injuries or were “bad-tripping” in the decadent style of the 70’s. The more Kenney worked around The Boss, the more Kenney became inspired by the imagery of his songs. “I took one song—Wild Billy’s Circus— and dance-acted it out. A friend was watching, and suggested I take pantomime classes. The idea intrigued me, and I started working with a mime teacher in New York City—Claude Kipnis, one of the star pupils of Marcel Marceau. Later, in 1974, Claude got me into a six-week workshop with the maestro himself, an experience that forever changed my life.”

Soon Kenney was hired to put on mime performances during Andy Warhol’s infamous Factory parties. While exploring the world of the mime, Kenney continued practicing as a PA for the New York Medical College in NYC, eventually being promoted to serve as the first PA to practice Neurosurgery. During his limited free time, he began to study with the best of the dance masters, many of whom allowed him to audit a class free of charge because he worked at the Medical College. Kenney audited classes with Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Robert Jeoffrey, Twyla Tharpe, Tommy Tune, Paul Taylor, and others. He soon put these newly honed dance/mime skills to use when he started working as a stage director for musical groups, including The Crystals, The Brooklyn Bridge, and The Johnny Walker Band. Impressed by his creative fire, RCA records hired him to begin staging shows, and also to work as a Personal Energy Trainer designing dietary and exercise plans for various performers. Initially he was hired to work only

with the lead singer, but soon his job expanded to include all members of the band. This unique niche field turned out to be a perfect blend of Kenney’s medical interests and his skills as a body-linguist. “The first feature performer I worked with was Vicki Sue Robinson, whose debut single sold 350,000 copies in its first six weeks. It was

Kenney DeCamp at Southside Elementary School with children and Miss Florida photo taken by Diana Colson

Here is a early day pic with me as Charlie or my character Dr Mime.... more photos are available at my old site www.DrMime.com.

Here is a Charlie pic from the Ladies Night Out Hollywood Fashion Show Dinner October 2013.

Working with Oprah when we did a Parade together. (As a producer, I hired Oprah for a re-grand opening of a mall in a suburb of Chicago, just after her first year on ABC-TV, I paid her $300)

the iconic disco song, Turn the Beat Around. Vicki had drug issues which were destroying her body, and I was brought in to turn her destructive habits around as well as stage the show for her upcoming first tour. It turned out to be a successful tour, and Vicki’s vision of herself improved.” Soon after that, Kenney began working with other performers, both dancers and singers. The list is long, and included Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Andrea True, and other disco up-and-coming artists. In the 1980’s and 90’s, Kenney traveled the world doing mime and body language work promoting the concept of Human Growth Education (HGE), a field in which he continues to become increasingly involved. Some of this work was done in conjunction with Rotary International’s Goodwill Ambassador Programs. From 1983-1996, Kenney built a successful career as the producer and owner-operator of a performing dance/mime school in the Chicago area. The school featured instruction in Dance, Modeling, Acting and Singing. In its twelve years of operation, Kenney and his teachers instructed more than 10,000

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

students of various ages. He staged show after show after show, with performances slated for almost every weekend. From 1991-2000, under the auspices of Rotary International, Kenney organized Health to the Children International in Dundee, Illinois. This Not-ForProfit Organization fundraised and dispersed more than $3 million dollars in medicine, equipment, clothing, toys, and specialized surgeries for children in Yugoslavia, USSR-Russia, Albania, Montenegro, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico. While visiting these countries, Kenney also performed and taught. Kenney had served as an Orthopedic Specialist during the Vietnam Conflict. Now in 2002-2003, he became the interim executive director of the Vietnam Veteran’s Art Museum in Chicago. He also served as co-host of the Veteran’s Radio Hour in Chicago, a program which served 94 USA radio stations plus 56 countries on internet stream. In 2006, Kenney moved to Sarasota, drawn by the crystal sands of Siesta Key. From 2007-2008, he served as Managing Editor-Public Relations Director for the Sarasota edition of Arts & Culture Magazine. He also established DeCamp Associates International (DCAI), and has been involved in many local projects as a publicist as well as a community/ public/media relations director. Currently Kenney is the Education Chair for the Board of the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, as well as a vice-president of Sister Cities Association of Sarasota. He also serves as President of the Board of

Friends of Selby Public Library. In recent months, Kenney has appeared as a lecturer at the Einstein Circle at USF, performed as Charlie Chaplin in a fashion show at the Venice Yacht Club, and enlightened students at Southside Elementary School on the talents of Charlie, considered the world’s greatest mimic comedian. Kenney often uses his Charlie skills to entertain Sarasota crowds at various events around town. He recently gave a lecture on the silent film artist at the Selby Public Library, bringing with him 15 pieces of his personal collection of Charlie memorabilia. On December 11th of 2013, Kenney is producing the entertainment for the Fine Art’s Society’s Celebrate the Arts luncheon. On Wednesday January 8th, from 6 to 9, Kenney will host the fundraiser he created for the Selby Public Library, an annual event titled Looking into the Crystal Ball. This has become one of the most delightful soirees in Sarasota! Known as “The People’s Gala” because of its affordable $20 admission, it is an evening filled with performances, artists, exhibitions, tasty bites and cash bar. The Crystal Ball is held inside Selby Library itself, and Kenney, of course, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. (For more information on the event, go to www. selbylibraryfriends.org.) 2014 is the 100th year anniversary of Charlie Chaplin as an iconic star and director of silent films. An ambitious outreach program is planned to celebrate the centenary. Working with PBS producer Gus Mollasis, the pair plans to reach as many schools as possible in Sarasota County. In a performance Sarasota’s children will never forget, Kenney will appear all decked out like Charlie, complete with hat, moustache, walking stick, and signature strut.

The Veteran’s Day opening event at the Senior Friendship center

Photos by Jaye Clements Sarasota Photography

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Left: Bradley & Kirsten Smith from Bradenton – Brad was a Navy Pilot – POW – Vietnam. Top Right: Nick, Adrian, Elisabeth & Adam from Sarasota High School (SHS) 10th & 11th graders at the Senior Friendship Center for Veterans Day. Bottom Right: C J from SRQ (originally Brooklyn, NY).

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From Donnarose

Q: Dear Donnarose, with loved ones passed, the holidays do not seem to get easier. I’d feel a little better if I knew my mother’s soul was at peace. Please advise. ~ Nancy A: ~ “Our loved one’s spirits are here to stay, and with us always to show us the way.” – Donnarose Melvin Nancy, I can relate personally as I lost my mother too. I can tell you that your mother’s soul is surely at peace. Now being out of the physical body, she is untouched by the things that concern us on the earthly plane as far as the painful emotions we experience. Therefore, all she is and knows is Love. She is even more powerful and able to assist you. Consider that the energy we send out to our loved ones who have passed, if loving and positive, can only help their souls. In addition, as time goes on, sending out love to your mom’s soul, opens your energy, and makes it easier to receive any messages and signs she may be trying to send you. This connection will help produce the opposite effect of the holiday blues, and will help you feel more lifted. I wish you peace Nancy. ~♥ Q: Dear Donnarose, since I am watching my weight, how do I possibly get through the holidays without eating everything in sight? My willpower is pretty weak. ~Betsy A: ~ “Keeping your strategy short and sweet, will make it easier to not overeat.” –Donnarose Melvin Well, you’ve come to the right person, as I was a pro in the wt. loss industry yrs ago, and lost a lot of weight as well. And the same concepts apply even now. First,

WORD LIST:

never go to any function feeling hungry, and keep water in your hand as often as possible during it. Incorporate the words I use into your vocabulary..that being, “won’tpower”. This removes the reminder of the word “will” in willpower as in, “I will eat this 3rd serving of lasagna.” Instead of the usual thought “just one more”, continue to think of the “whys”, as to why you “won’t” have more than 2 cookies, or extra pie, or drinks. And the why is simply because the outcome will be much more positive. And once you increase your self-love, that will be a good enough reason in itself! It’s important to keep it simple, and not overwhelm yourself with any thoughts that say you are “bad if you cheat”. Remove those words from your vocabulary. Only love-based thoughts about yourself will work to help you refrain from overindulging. It’s about thinking thoughts about eating and food that will work FOR you, not against you, and loving yourself during the process. This will strengthen your “won’t-power” even more no matter where you are. ~♥ Go to www.siestasand.net for additional Q&A. Donnarose Melvin is a professional psychic, medium and energy healer, whose pleasure is to assist clients worldwide. She incorporates knowledge from her degree in psychology, along with her clairvoyant, clairaudient, clairsentient and empathic gifts to guide her clients towards peace and success. Please send your questions to GoWithYourSoul@gmail.com or private message her via facebook: Go With Your Soul. Donnarose will select questions each month to share with you. She regrets that unpublished questions cannot be answered individually.

WORD SEARCH Answers on page 30

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Food and Wine Pairings

By Maureen Rooney

Sip, Savor and Spread Holiday Cheer ‘Tis the season for celebrating with family and friends and sharing great holiday wines! Wine has traditionally been used for gifts of welcome and always spreads holiday cheer. Consider surprising your connoisseur with an impressive Napa Cabernet Sauvignon like the 2007 Trinitas this holiday season. This wine has just been released after being cellared for six years allowing it to be ready for drinking now. This cab has bold flavors of black cherry and dark berries and is a perfect choice when serving prime rib or a filet. Prefer a winter white? Napa offers another impressive wine, Matera Chardonnay. Matera is a round wine but delicate enough to complement turkey or duck without a heavy oak presence. Pairing these two Napa wines make a

great holiday gift. Wine gift baskets are always a delight to give and receive. A bottle of Red and White Bordeaux, along with Gourmet Roasted Red Pepper Dip or Cheesy Bacon Dip, and a few special goodies will charm any hostess or impress the in-laws! Having a wide selection of wines on hand during the holiday season will make last minute gift giving a breeze. Look for a variety of unique and interesting wines which will intrigue any wine lover. Garnache, Malbec, Petit Syrah, Petit Verdot and Carmenere, to name a few, would be a nice addition to anyone’s cellar. These wines are quite pleasing to many palates, although many people never give them a try. Don’t forget to keep Champagne or a Sparkling Brut on hand for those holiday

parties and surprise visitors. Add a kick to your favorite Sparkler with equal parts Champagne and cranberry juice. Float a couple of fresh cranberries in your flute and top it off with a sprig of mint for a fast and festive holiday treat. Stop by Siesta Key Wines in the village for a unique selection of holiday wines! Cheers! Siesta Key Wines, 5238C Ocean Blvd., Davidson Plaza in the Village, 941-552-9105

What’s Happening …on the beach Each week: BEACH HOOP DANCE CLASS – Thurs. 6:30 – 7:45pm. For more information or to register go to: outwardspiral.net FREE YOGA Mon-Wed.-Fri.-Sat. 8-9:30 am. Classes held between blue & green lifeguard station. Call 941-320-6693 to register or www. yogaonsiestabeach.com NIA Tues. & Thurs. 9a.m., Siesta Public Beach(yellow lifeguard chair) Joy Donation: $12.Contact Kathy Oravec at 941-724-9719or Kathyoravec@gmail.com PILATES ON SIESTA KEY BEACH – Every Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun. 7pm. Cost: $10.(yellow lifeguard station). Register online: http:// www.studiorubylake.com SUNSET FUSION – every Wednesday at 7pm. For additional info and to register online go to: http://www.studiorubylake.com DRUM CIRCLE – Every Sunday two hours before sunset and lasts until around 10pm. South of the main pavillion. EVENTS FOR DECEMBER: DEC. 9 (Mon) Meet The Sky 7:00p.m. - 8:p.m. Location: Siesta Beach Pavilion. Join Eve Prang Plews, and other sky observers as they explore and discover the intriguing night sky. Learn to navigate the night sky by the stars, planets and constellations visible to the naked eye and observe through telescope provided. Weather permitting. Free to all ages. For information call 952-1200. DEC. 14 (SAT) Sandy Claws 5k – 7-11a.m. 1-mile fun run begins at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8:20 a.m. Long sleeve t-shirt, goody bag to all pre-registered runners. 5K Race

Story continued on page 34.

timed using MyLaps BibTag timing system. Trophies to male & female overall, master, grandmaster, senior grandmaster, veteran. Trophies to age group winners 1st-3rd place. Ribbons to age group winners 4th-6th place. Ribbons to all Fun Run participants. Race day registrants receive a t-shirt while supplies last. Good music, good food, great raffle prizes! Race Day Registration (begins 7 a.m.): 5K Race - $30 One-Mile Fun Run - $20. For more information, call 941861-5000 or go to web www.parksonline.scgov.net DEC. 15 (SUN) MultiRace Half Marathon Race begins promptly at 7 a.m. on Siesta Beach Park. 600 runners expected to run 13.1 miles through the quaint village of Siesta Key. Call 561-354-5941 for more information or go to their website: www. siestakeyhalfmarathon.com …around the island SIESTA KEY FARMER’S MARKET – every Sunday from 8am – 2pm in Davidson’s Plaza in the Village. 5124 Ocean Blvd. Fresh fruits, vegetables, music, art. …and beyond PHILLIPPI FARMHOUSE MARKET – Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Vendors offer produce and plants from local growers and producers, including USDA Certified Organics, as well as prepared foods, specialty and sustainable items, and Florida agriculturally-related products. The market is easily accessible from US 41 and has plenty of free parking and live entertainment. A guided tour of the historic Edson Keith Mansion, which will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 30-45 minutes. At noon in the Mansion, Sarasota County Extension will hold a 1-hour class on various gardening topics. Located at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, For more information, please call 941861-5000 or www.scgov.net

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FOR SALE • House For Sale By Owner Elegant 5 bedroom, den, 3 bath, 3 car garage. Executive home in the popular gated community of Turtle Rock, in the heart of Palmer Ranch. Walking distance to Legacy Trail. Close to Siesta beach and downtown. Asking price: $474,900. 941-587-7330

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ACCOMMODATIONS • Jeanette Properties - long term vacation rentals. 941-927-7222 • Best Western Plus Siesta Key – AAA -3 Diamond Property, Free shuttle service to and from Siesta Key 941-924-4900, 6600 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

Services

TRANSPORTATION • Siesta Key Free Rides – Siesta Key Free island shuttle for beach, village, condo and tours – tips only. Electric vehicles. Call 941-952-8294 • Sun Ride Pedicab – Eco-friendly Pedicabs. Siesta Key Tours and rides – tips only, 941-343-3400 • Surfside Free Ride – Provides free Taxi service all over Siesta Key and short distances off the north & south bridge on the mainland from 10am to 2am 7 days a week, tips only, 941-961-8238 • Unique Car Transportation – airport transportation to Sarasota or Tampa airports, 813-927-5045

HEALTH • Senior Home Companions – companionship and In-Home care. daily living needs, hourly, overnight, 24-hour care, 941-924-0494 • Massage Heights -1-hour massage $49.99, custom facial $59.99 – intro offers, 4948 S. Tamiami Trl, 941-9271030 (See Display ad in this paper) • Massage Experience Siesta Key Open 7-day a week. 5138A Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, 941-349-4833

Services

SPORT RENTALS • Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key Village. 941554-4242 • Siesta Key Bike & Kayak – Located on Siesta Key in Capt Curts Village serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach and Sarasota. We offer bikes, kayak rentals, kayak eco tours, paddleboards and scooters. 1224 Old Sickney Pt Rd. 941-346-0891 • Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, kayak tours, scooter, children strollers

Services

and car seats. Delivery and pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797 BEACH & BABY EQUIPMENT RENTALS • ABC Rentals – We are family owned and operated baby and equipment rental and retail store. We provide top quality baby equipment such as cribs, highchairs, strollers and car seats. Beach rental equipment includes umbrellas, beach hammocks, cabanas and beach chairs. View our complete inventory on line www. abcbabyrental.com 2300 Bee Ridge Rd Ste. 204 Sarasota 941-929-1850

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The Ecumenical World of Jay Rock By Diana Colson Born in Detroit and raised in Pittsburgh, Jay T. Rock has followed a varied and fascinating path. In 1968, he graduated with honors in English Literature from Duke University in Durham, NC, where he met his wife, Judith, who was majoring in religion. Judith was a Florida girl, having grown up in Jacksonville and lived in Largo. At Duke, Jay and Judith performed together in Midsummer Night’s Dream. Later, they worked together with the Operation Breakthrough Community Action Program in Durham, NC, where both were involved in organizing poor white communities to enable engagement in political processes. As a community organizer, Jay also worked with grant writing and coordinated the visits of older citizens to Washington, DC. The couple’s blending of interests sealed their fate. They have been united for 44 years in a unique and productive marriage. Jay and Judith went to San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1969. They served as Presbyterian Volunteers in New Mexico, where they ran a day camp for children. Of this period in his career, Jay has this to say: “My early work in community organizing in Durham, NC, and as a Volunteer in Mission in Mora, NM, allowed me to work as an agent of change in situations of poverty and cultural isolation.” Jay received his M.A. in Christian Theological Studies, and Master of Divinity degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. From 1973-1974, he and Judith were Co-Assistant Pastors for the First Congregational Church and Pioneer United Methodist Church in Auburn, CA, where they ran an educational program for elementary, Junior High,

High School, and College aged youth. At this point, Judith left ministry and earned an MA in Dance at Mills College, Oakland, CA. She was a modern dancer and choreographer for twenty years, founding and co-directing Body and Soul Dance Company in Berkeley, CA, and touring widely as solo dancer and artist in residence. Both Jay and Judith later received PhD’s from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Jay’s work was in the History and Phenomenology of Religion, his Dissertation a translation and introduction to the sermons of Rabbi Moses Hayyim Ephraim of Sudlikov. Judith’s doctoral studies were in Theology and Art. Her research on the Jesuit ballets produced in Paris became the root of the Charles du Luc historical mystery series which she is currently writing. Three novels in this series have been published, with a fourth that came out on November 5th. Entitled The Whispering of Bones, this most recent addition to the series is described as: “Rich with telling detail and a deep feeling for time and place…a great mix of mystery, excitement and intrigue.” As Judith followed her career in t he art s, Jay work ed as a Presbyterian pastor in churches in Stockton, Sausalito, and Ygnacio Valley, California. In 1980, Jay began work for Church World Service’s West Coast Office in San Francisco. There he helped engage churches and ecumenical bodies in the international relief, refugee resettlement and development work of Church World Service. In 1987, he

GalleyRecipes

Jay T, Rock with Dr. Sayyid Syeed of the Islamic Society of North America, and with Dr. Christine Hong, who is his successor in the office for interfaith relations of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

and Judith moved to NYC, where he became Director of Interfaith Relations at the National Council of Churches of Christ, USA. He served in this capacity for 16 ½ years, developing relationships of trust, honesty, and cooperation with Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Native American Traditional groups and organizations. In 2003, the couple bought one of the beautiful lakefront Carriage Houses at The Landings in Sarasota. They had waited two years for one of these properties to become available. When one finally came on the market, they bought it, and Judith began living here part-time. Jay’s work in NYC came to an end, and later in 2003, he was asked to come to www.floridamariner.com

Mullet Noodle Stroganoff Ingredients 1 pound Florida mullet fillets, grilled or smoked 1 cup large-curd, cream-style, low-fat cottage cheese 2 cloves Florida garlic, minced 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 1/4 cups lite sour cream 2/3 cup Florida onion, diced 1 teaspoon liquid hot pepper sauce 1 teaspoon pepper 1 8-ounce package egg noodles, cooked 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Louisville, KY, where he served as Coordinator for Interfaith Relations at the Presbyterian Church (USA) until 2010. Since his retirement, Jay has served on the Landscape Committee of his condominium community. He was elected to the condo Board in 2011, and asked to serve as President of the Condominium Association (his current term continues through 2014). As such, he has led this group in tackling deferred maintenance problems, and in finding new Property Management Personnel. At the same time, Jay has continued to lead Adult Education Classes at St. Boniface Episcopal church. Jay Rock thinks of this final period

of life not as “retirement”, but as a time of summations, reflections, refinement, and last opportunities. “Leaving behind the structure, recognition, and role of my work in the church and ecumenical world has not been easy for me; it has taken me several years to get used to living within my own expectations, and according to my own gifts. My vocational calling—to understand and practice the art of bringing people together across cultures and religions—has not disappeared, but I look for new ways to live it out. I want to think about what I have learned, and to find ways to teach or pass that on to others.”

Answers to the WORD SEARCH from page 27

Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Break apart the mullet fillets to flake the meat. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, onions, liquid hot pepper sauce, and pepper. Fold in the flaked fish and then add cooked noodles mixing well. Pour into a well-greased 2-quart shallow casserole dish. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top. Bake for 25 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings Nutritional Value Per Serving: Calories 380, Calories From Fat 114, Total Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 6g, Trans Fatty Acid 0g, Cholesterol 110mg, Total Carbohydrates 34g, Protein 30g, Omega 3 Fatty Acid 0.3g Look for “Fresh from Florida” ingredients at your grocery store. Recipe and photo courtesy of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Seafood www.FL-Seafood.com

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Places of Worship

Island Churches:

Siesta Key Presbyterian Chapel 4615 Gleason Ave, Siesta Key, 941-349-1166 www.siestakeychapel.org St. Michael’s Catholic Church 5394 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, 941-349-4174 www.stmichaelssiesta.com St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, 941-349-5616 www.bonifacechurch.org Church On The Beach - Every first Saturday night of the month. Come as you are for informal worship and fellowship – at the beach! We meet at the yellow lifeguard tower on Siesta Beach at 6 pm. All are welcome! Bring a chair or towel to sit on.

Off- Island: Temple Sinai, a Reform Congregation (The closest Jewish congregation to the Key for visitors) 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, 941-924-1802 www.templesinai-sarasota.org St. Andrew United Church of Christ (Protestant) (In the Gulf Gate area, near Beneva and Gulf Gate Drive) 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota, 941.922.7595 www.uccstandrew.org

Church News: SAINT BONIFACE CHURCH Dec. 1 – Jan. 26 An Icon Exibit - This dramatic 120 piece travelling exhibit includes traditional works from the Vassilevsky Monastery and the contemporary work of internationally acclaimed Russian – Swedish, abstract expressionist, Ludmila Pawlowska. Her work will shed new light on visual passageways into the divine! Saint Boniface Church is the only venue in Florida to show this exhibit! Please visit the artist’s website www.ludmilapawlowska.se The artwork will be on display in the Church and Parish Hall Exhibit hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 3 pm

Got an unused bike taking up space in your garage? It could mean a world of difference for an Immokalee farm worker. It would allow them to live in safer, cleaner and more affordable housing and still be within reach of their work site. Bikes in working order only, please! For info or to donate your bike contact parishioner Connie McManus (941-923- 5366) ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH Nov. 30 – Dec. 15: Annual Giving Tree will be located in the front of vestibule of the Church. Each envelope represents a local organization that is requesting a “gift card” to specific stores. Please take an envelope of your choice, place the requested gift card in the envelope and place the sealed envelope in the collection basket or to the Parish Office no later than Monday, December 16th. Please do not place the filled envelope back on the tree.

1456 Point crisP road $5,495,000

Dec. 9 (Mon.) The Wonder of Christmas , 6pm Dr. Kathy Kleinlein, Diocesan Director of Catechists will be presenting a “Journey to Christmas” in the Parish Center. R.S.V.P. to Chelle at 349-4174 or chellestmichaels@gmail.com CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Tuesday, December 24th, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm Wednesday, December 25th, 7:30am, 8:45am and 10:30am Please note: NO 6pm Mass SIESTA KEY CHAPEL Dec. 8, 10am service The Chapel Choir will perform the Gloria, by baroque Italian Composer Antonio Vivaldi, with instrumentalists from the Sarasota Orchestra; a string ensemble, harpsichord, trumpet and oboe. Guest soloists include Alto Rachel Nelson- Assi, (guest artist) Deborah Cameron, and Lynelle Williams. Dec. 24, Chrismas Eve Service: 5:30pm and 8pm.

Peg davant, sales associate, 941.356.4552 sotheby’s international realty and the sotheby’s international realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing opportunity.

Siesta Key Real Estate Report Pending Sales

Sales Volume

$250M

800 $200M

600

$150M

400

$100M

200 0

$50M $0M

May-13June-13July-13 Aug-13 Sept-13 Days on Market

May-13June-13July-13 Aug-13 Sept-13 Months of Inventory

150

100

Blooming this month

Delicate, fragrant air plant The flowers from Tillandsia duratii are larger than most epiphytes and feature a delicate fragrance. The plant grows up to 3 feet in height and 15 feet in width. It has twisted, curling leaves that aid its grasp of tree limbs. This specimen is more than 20 years old. Photo courtesy Rob Branch.

higher rates, and inherit none of subsidized rates of an existing seller. Big annual insurance premiums leave less for mortgage payments. Flood Insurance is only payable by law with one annual payment and not monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual payments like other insurance policies. Thinking of just not purchasing Flood Insurance? Fine if you have no mortgage or are a cash buyer, as lenders require all necessary insurance to protect their collateral in the property. Stop paying the flood insurance premiums and you can be in a default on your mortgage triggering foreclosures. Unfortunately, cash buyers who choose to self-insure without flood insurance are not that plentiful. Have more questions? We hope you do. Call a professional area Florida insurance agent, who has experience in this area for qualified assistance.

Legislative Efforts

As we were going to press, word broke that a group of U.S. Senators – including Bill Nelson, D-Fla – is preparing to add a fix for the Biggert/Waters Act to a

defense authorization bill presently being debated in the Senate. The proposed amendment would freeze some rates for four-years while the originally intended (but never completed) affordability study is completed. Ironically, Biggert/ Waters was originally passed in the same manner: as an add-on to a larger bill that some say prevented it from receiving the level of scrutiny it deserved. “The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was solvent until Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy but now they are running at a deficit – that’s why they decided not to continue subsidizing ‘high risk’ properties in flood zones,” explained Dan Andre, a Fort Myers Beach city councilman in a recent interview with the Island Sandpaper newspaper in that community. “The problem is, they never did an affordability study to determine how this would affect properties like those in Florida, and they fail to take into account the fact that most of the money collected by EMA for the NFIP actually went to pay for properties outside of this state.” Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and Lee counties include some of

May-13June-13July-13 Aug-13 Sept-13

KEY SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE

May-13June-13July-13 Aug-13 Sept-13

For more information call (941)894-1255 Or visit www.keysolutionsrealestate.com

Single Family Condos *Statistics provided by MFR MLS

Reminiscent of September 2012, late summer tends to have lower realestate sales numbers compared to August highs, but September 2013 showed sales were up 22.5 percent compared to 2012. Compare August 2013 salesof 957 homes and September 2013 sales of 817 homes just in SarasotaCounty alone and you get a 14.6 percent difference. Most September sales were single family homes compared to condominiums. For example, 545 houses sold compared to 272 condominiums. (Information is based on the most current report since the October stats were not available at time of print)

Flood Insurance Reform Act’s Shock Therapy Get your agent to do a replacement cost estimator like those used by the insurance companies. This can reduce premiums. Unlike homeowner’s policies, the limit for any property with a flood policy is fixed at $250,000. Karger reports that storm surge flooding rarely destroys homes completely by itself in areas like those along the southwest Florida coast. It’s the high winds and rain of tropical storms or hurricanes, and flooding all combined that do the most damage. While he admits major damage is always possible, choosing a lower cover limit is more affordable, but rarely an option most agents suggest. 5. Do you have flood insurance on an “elevated” property like a condo on an upper floor, or a home with the living area all elevated properly on stilts or columns? If so, it is possible with a new elevation certificate your premium may decline for Flood insurance. Implications of the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 for the real estate market can potentially be devastating. Property values can drop based on this new higher cost of ownership. New property buyers will automatically pay the new and

By Robert Frederickson

the most heavily impacted areas of the country in the amount of properties affected by this Act, and officials are concerned that property values will suffer as buyers realize they will immediately be subject to dramatically higher premiums. This has the potential to affect not just individuals, but local governments as well since they rely on tax revenues tied to property values to fund local services. “Local Realtors weren’t even informed of this until March of this year,’ Andre said. “That’s a consequence of the fact that the affordability study was not done.” What this Act will do is almost sinister in its simplicity. A person looking to buy a home and retire in a low lying area like Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood and even significantly large portions of unincorporated Sarasota County will face upwards of an extra $800 a month in flood insurance premiums, unless they pay cash for the property as banks require that insurance in order to issue a mortgage. “Look at all the buildings (along the coast) – many of them are ground level and were built to standards that don’t exist anymore, “said Andre.

Continued from page 16.

“Anyone in a flood plain will be affected by this – not just those with homes on barrier islands.” “I’ve spoken to a friend in Colorado who told me that because of the recent floods there - they will now be listed in the flood plain and thus have to adhere to the requirements of this Act,” said Andre. “What should be done instead is have each property be evaluated individually based on how many claims have been filed for that property for as long as it’s been in existence – flood insurance based on actuaries.” In the House of Representatives, local congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota supports efforts to delay the implementation of the Act. If all else fails? Well, there’s always Belize, land of laissez faire economics and a tantalizingly low cost of living. Who knows, maybe Harvey Vengroff can even set you up with a nice, affordable rental on the beach. He’s not headed there to retire, after all. The Island Sandpaper, Fort Myers Beach, contributed to this report

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Beach Flags: Indicate surf & beach conditions

Siesta Key Public Beach Lifeguards on duty

SIESTA SAND December 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.siestasand.net

Beach Weddings Our Wedding in Siesta Key

Photos and story by Trebor Britt

Story by Adam Emery and photos by Maggie Dillon A Mother’s Tears Bianca’s mother, Rosa La Pace (foreground) wiping away tears as she witnesses her daughter committing her life to Josh Lewis during their wedding ceremony at Point of Rocks beach on Siesta Key. The Gaze of a Lifetime Bianca La Pace gazing into the eyes of the man she will spend the rest of her life with, Josh Lewis, after their wedding ceremony at Point of Rocks beach.

My wife and I and our three children first visited Siesta Key as a side trip on our annual Orlando vacation in 2011. All of us immediately fell in love with the awesome beach community and the gorgeous beaches. When we were notified that we won the Tropical Beach Resorts Valentine’s Day Contest, we were thrilled! After all, we had already discussed getting married in Siesta Key. When we arrived in May, we were greeted by the friendly staff of Tropical Beach Resorts

and our room exceeded our expectations. The beach was beyond compare…gorgeous sand, water and the most exquisite sunsets I have ever seen. We cannot express our gratitude enough to everyone involved in our wedding and our trip, but especially Tropical Beach Resorts and their exceptional staff. We are already planning our next trip and can’t wait to visit what we consider to be our “second home”.

First stroll on the beach as Mr & Mrs. Emery

Bride Bianca Lewis and her knee-dy besty’s. went back to Joshes apartment. Bianca related, “Not long after getting there, Josh kneeled down in front of me and said he had something to ask me. Through lots of tears I accepted a ring and his proposal”. It was a dream of both of theirs to be married on the beach. Point of rocks Beach holds a special place in Bianca’s heart as she grew up playing there. Her family moved to Sarasota when she was two years old. When asked what she loved most about THE FIRST DATE AND PROPOSAL Josh, without hesitation Bianca replied, They went on their first date in September “definitely his heart. He would do anything 2012, where they enjoyed dinner at the Old for just about anybody”. Salty Dog restaurant on Siesta Key. It wasn’t Bianca is a 2006 graduate of Sarasota high long before they both sensed they were right school and an Assistant Customer Service for one another. After enjoying Thanksgiving Manager at a local Publix. Josh is Sales dinner with some friends, the two of them Manager at a roofing company in Sarasota. HOW THEY MET The day Josh and Bianca met, she was working at Publix. She remembers catching Josh glancing at her several times. After visiting the store two or three times that day, Josh finally summoned up enough courage to stop and speak with her. What Josh did not realize, is Bianca’s father, Frank, also worked at Publix and was stocking some produce not far behind him.

Sand Petal Weddings suggested pushing our time back to take advantage of the famous Siesta Key sunset. How right they were...

supply and DEMAND : Currently we are experiencing very low inventory on the market and high demand. If you have been considering selling your home, right now may the BEST time to get the HIGHEST PRICE possible! To find out how you can benefit from this opportunity, call for a FREE Market Analysis of your home.

585,000

3872 Royal Hammock Blvd.

SARASOTA

Andrea Smith 320-7020 ___________________

Providing Unique and Highly Successful Marketing and Sales Systems.

4 Bedroom, 3 Bath 2970 Sq. Ft. Large master bedroom, lighted trey ceilings, pocketing sliding doors, alarm system, gas fireplace, fountain in spa, gas cooktop, summer kitchen, two large dens, circular driveway

Call today to list your property.

Carolyn Kofler 780-0605 ___________________ Customer Satisfaction is the Ultimate Goal

If you’ve been sitting the fence, now is the time to sell. Free Market Analysis Proud Sponsor of the Senior and Super Senior Tennis Tournament at The Landings.

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Accommodations Locator Map

Annual & Seasonal Rentals Available Unit 109 Sea Shell Condominium, Siesta Key FL 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Pool. Sea Shell Condominium is located directly on the beach and has many amenities and features to make any Siesta Key vacation very enjoyable.

Robasota Real Estate (Roberti Companies)

5379 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 •P: 941-926-1800 www.robasotarealestate.com

ext. 102

inc.

Continued from page 28.

LEASING DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES TO EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

If You Have a Property to Lease Call Jennette Properties Today.

941.927.7222

www.JennetteProperties.com

vacation

Long Term & Rentals ON FLORIDA’S SUNCOAST 7222 S. Tamiami Trail, STE 104, Sarasota, FL

What’s Happening

DEC. 6-7, 13-15, 20-24, and 26-29 Holiday Lights - Sarasota Jungle Gardens 6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. No Christmas season is complete without a visit to Holiday Lights! There are more than a million lights brightening up the night’s sky. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a delicious dinner under the lights. Wafting through the park will be holiday tunes. Watch a magician perform twice nightly. Roast hot dogs and s’mores in the fire pit. And most importantly, visit Santa Claus! Capture the holiday spirit. Advance tickets can be purchased on website at: www.sarasotajunglegardens.com 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota FL, (941) 355-1112

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net

DEC. 20 – DEC. 30 (DAILY) Lights in Bloom - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Make your holiday season sparkle at the annual Lights in Bloom celebration! Explore the Gardens and view larger than life garden-themed holiday lights presented by Lights in Bloom creator Bob McComb. New Children’s Rainforest Garden decked out with holiday lights. Enjoy festive live music while dining on grilled entrees, delicious kids’ “Merry Meals,” and delightful holiday snacks. Explore the rainforest garden in the glow of holiday lights and create fun crafts in the Kids’ Corner. Santa and his elves make an appearance every night prior to Christmas. 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota FL 34236. (941) 366-5731

Spikekey Volleyball Photos by Trebor Britt

Eleven year old, Stefani Wald, (foreground) participating in a skills exercise in her first beach volleyball event. Stefani, who lives on Siesta Key, would play in her first volleyball tournament the next day. Spikekey Beach Volleyball Combine Director, Megan Wallin, (foreground) reviewing the day’s activities with the participants on Siesta Key. The Combine is an educational program for girls and boys ages 9-17, that would like to play volleyball in college. The combine covered volleyball skills, college recruiting, and performance testing they would face in order to play at a higher level.

Stefani Wald, leaping as high as she can as coaches look on. Each participant had three opportunities during this performance test. Coaches recorded the highest Leap.

Stefani competing in the “Star” skills exercise. Speed and agility are measured in this performance test. Stefani is a sixth grader at Pine View Elementary School.

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Island Girl

Photos by Trebor Britt

This months island girl is Lindsay from Siesta Key. Lindsay’s hometown is Rogersville, Ohio and she enjoys snorkeling, fishing, and is a real animal lover. She’s a graduate of South University and works as a registered nurse. If you would like to be considered for our next Island Girl, contact us at islandvp@verizon.net (You must be of legal age to participate)

6208 MIDNIGHT PASS RD # 404

You won’t want to miss this outstanding Siesta Dunes Condominium located in Building 5 on the 4th floor. It is a mesmerizing spot to enjoy the Gulf view. Offered at $835,000.

6206 MIDNIGHT PASS RD # 102

Here is your opportunity for your own Siesta Key beach retreat or an investment with great rental history. This ground floor 2 bedroom 2 bath condo is very inviting. Offered at $495,000.

6232 MIDNIGHT PASS RD # 6232B

Siesta Dunes deluxe condo. It is a perfect beach retreat. Completely renovated and furnished to a high standard this condo is well worth considering. Offered at $1,290,000

Located on America’s #1 Beach–Siesta Key

Enjoy the finest in resort-style living right on Siesta Beach. Siesta Dunes is well-managed and offers an optional on-site rental program for your convenience.

Your Siesta Dunes Preferred Realtors JuDy GREENE,

Realtor® | 941.350.0451

JudyGreene@michaelsaunders.com

TARA LAMB, Realtor® | 941.266.4873 TaraLamb@michaelsaunders.com

JudyAndTara.michaelsaunders.com 5100 Ocean Boulevard | Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941.349.3444 michaelsaunders.com

SIESTA SAND December 2013 • www.siestasand.net