IV Siesta Sand - December 2016 by Brion Palmer

Why the world comes to Sarasota

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DECEMBER 2016 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY

SKVA MERGER A merger years in the making became reality in early November

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HOLIDAY CHEER

The 2016 Holiday Cheer for Kids Fighting Cancer program is currently underway

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FOOD TRUCK With changes having been made at their request in October, the Sarasota County commissioners on Nov. 8 unanimously approved a revised food truck ordinance

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FRANK COLSON

A comprehensive exhibit and sale of work by the late Frank Colson will take place at the historic house and studio

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WHO’S PLAYING

Key Stories to Watch in 2017

By Roger Drouin

In the upcoming New Year, some unresolved issues are going to take center stage, and several proposed projects could mean significant changes for the island. Siesta Sand takes a look at Eight Big Stories to watch in 2017 — from the question of what’s going to happen to Big Pass, to a simmering debate over a 357-foot segment of North Beach Road. Other stories include the Siesta Promenade proposed for 24 acres of Siesta Key gateway property, as well as an effort to bring a Trolley to the Key.

The Big Pass Question

What’s going to happen with the Lido Beach Renourishment project? That remains the single biggest news question of the new year. The renourishment is a complex project that involves many different aspects— including the installation of two rock groins on Lido’s shoreline and removing 1.2 million cubic yards of sand from Big Pass, which has never been dredged before, to place on Lido. As a result, critics worry about the greater chance of unintended down drift impacts, including on Siesta Key. However, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials say they can’t find compatible sand that matches Lido Beach— except in Big Pass—and so the Corps has been pushing ahead with permitting for its $19 million plan to buffer the beach. The Florida Department of Environmental

Protection (FDEP), meanwhile, has agreed to extend by 30 days a decision on its next step in the Lido Renourishment Project permit process. Despite an addition delay caused by Hurricane Matthew, the agency expects to make a decision sometime this month (December). The Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 23 to ask the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw its 2015 Finding of No Significant Impact regarding the Lido Renourishment Project and, instead, to pursue an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with a much more thorough review of potential negative consequences of dredging Big Pass, as well as alternatives to that plan. In a July 14 letter, the Siesta Key Association (SKA) asked the commission to call for an EIS. It remains to be seen, as of press time, what action the County Commission will take next. The FDEP will conduct a Public Information Session regarding the Big Pass Dredging Permit in an open-house style meeting set for November 30 from 6 to 7:30 PM in the meeting room of the Sarasota County Fire Department Station No. 2 located at 2070 Waldemere Street in Sarasota. The Siesta Key Association invites members and neighbors to share questions and comments at their December 1 monthly meeting. The meeting will take place in the Parish Hall at St. Boniface Church on Siesta Key at 4:30 PM.

Siesta Promenade

Benderson Development wants to transform an old mobile home park at the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road into a large, mixed-use lifestyle center. Although Benderson’s proposed “Siesta Promenade” is off the Key, if constructed, it would become the largest new project in the area and it would likely impact Siesta in more ways than one. In September, Benderson Development once again modified plans for its large project for the 24 acres of vacant land. In an attempt to address neighborhood concerns, the development company has put together an alternative plan comprised of fewer overall residential units, shorter buildings bordering the adjacent residential neighborhood, and two smaller hotels instead of one, taller hotel. The plan shrinks overall residential units from 586 to about 400, Todd Mathes, director of development at Benderson, told Siesta Sand in September. The commercial aspect of the project is unchanged. Concurrently, the developer is continuing to seek county approval for a “Critical Area Plan,” or CAP, designation for the proposed Siesta Promenade, which would clear the way for an increase in density. On Oct. 11, the County Commission was slated to discuss and vote on the “boundary” of a CAP for the project. Continued on page 41

Initial work on master pump station underway on Siesta Key By Rachel Brown Hackney The new master pump station that will replace the Siesta Key Wastewater Treatment Plant will have triple redundancies and it will not be designed to allow any discharge into the Grand Canal, Sarasota County staff members told about 60 people during the November Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting. While work is underway to

convert the plant to a pump station, David Cash, the county’s Water/Wastewater Division manager, explained, a 2-milliongallon water storage tank — one of the original pieces of equipment on-site — will be left in place for use in the event of an emergency. He referenced the discharge of partially treated effluent into the Grand Canal during heavy rainfall

that was caused by then-Tropical Storm Hermine in late August. The total effort that will lead to the decommissioning of the more than 40-year-old wastewater plant comprises three phases at an expense of approximately $20-million, Greg Rouse, the county’s utility asset manager, pointed out. The plant is scheduled to go offline in December 2017,

though the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit for its operation allows it to continue to function until June 2018, Rouse noted. Additionally, the new facility should be much quieter and much less a source of bad odors than the current one has been, Cash told the audience. Continued on page 36

New county impact fees for seven types of services to go into effect April 1 By Rachel Brown Hackney www.SarasotaNewsLeader.com Meet Sara Nelms, recording artist of the abbum “Lover, No Longer”

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SAND CASTLES

Whispering Sands: a retirement community complete with sunset views and Gulf breezes

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With Chair Alan Maio having made the motion, the Sarasota County Commission voted 4-1 on Nov. 8 to implement new impact fees for seven different types of services at the 100% level, effective April 1, 2017. Commissioner Carolyn Mason

was in the minority on the decision, which followed a public hearing that had been continued from Sept. 6. Staff had recommended the board phase-in the new fees at the 80% level this spring, followed by the 90% level in 2018, making

April 1, 2019 the date the full, legally defensible amounts would become effective. That was based on discussions with “the affected stakeholders,” Matt Osterhoudt, interim director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, told the

board. “You’re going to cost the taxpayers of Sarasota County millions of dollars [by phasing-in the fees],” Sarasota attorney Dan Lobeck, president of Control Growth Now, said during the hearing.

Continued on page 39

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Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

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Here we are, smack in the middle of full-on holiday season. Shopping, menu planning, gift giving, and festive gatherings. Pleasures that define this time of the year. Abel’s Ice Cream is your one-stop shop for hard-to-buyfor friends and family with gift cards available in any denomination or their wide selection of gourmet chocolates from Sweet Shop USA. Nationally recognized for creating over one hundred varieties of handmade pieces including various Truffles, Famous Brags®, Almond Bars, Toffee Bars, Peanut Butter Cups, and their signature Fudge Love® - their success is credited to their emphasis on natural ingredients, including pure butter, fresh whipping cream, and the finest quality chocolate. These amazing chocolates also make wonderful hostess gifts. And when you’re ready to get away from the hustle and bustle, stop into Abel’s to relax with a cup or cone of one of their award-winning flavors. Or try out one of their specialty seasonal flavors like Peppermint Flash (refreshing and vibrant peppermint ice cream filled with peppermint candy), one of Abel’s favorites, or a taste of Rum Raisin (fantastic rum flavored ice cream loaded with raisins), a truly traditional touch of holiday spirit. For a few more weeks, you can still sample their very popular Carrot Cake (carrot cake ice cream with fresh walnuts and a thick ribbon of cream cheese frosting), held over by popular demand. The Abel’s family wishes you a wonderful holiday season, filled with family, laughter, and ice cream. Happy Holidays! Abel’s Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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BOAT RENTALS RESERVE for the HOLIDAYS

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Cassia Cay residential development options win Planning Commission approval By Rachel Brown Hackney www.SarasotaNewsLeader.com One member did voice displeasure with the current owner’s seeking a fallback plan in the event the proposed sale of the property does not ensue. Nonetheless, the Sarasota County Planning Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of a 13.3-acre site on Little Sarasota Bay for a multifamily residential complex called Cassia Cay, with amended stipulations. Two development options presented to the board on Nov. 3 differed in terms of the number of units, building heights and massing of structures on the site. Brenda Patten, an attorney with the Sarasota firm of Berlin Patten Ebling — a representative of the latest developer of the property — explained that the reason two options for housing on the site were before the commission “is because of contractual obligations between the buyer and the seller.” If her clients — led by Core Development Inc. of Wichita, Kan. — fail to close on their proposed purchase of the site and, therefore, do not develop the most recent configuration of residential units, she said, the current owners want to retain their right to build the option originally approved by the County Commission in 2006. Option A calls for 152 multifamily dwellings with a maximum building height of 55 feet and 358 parking spaces, county Planner Adriana Trujillo-Villa explained to the board. Option B entails 98 multi-family units in buildings

that would be 45, 56 and 68 feet in height, with the condominiums constructed over parking. Option A calls for a building setback of 69 feet from Little Sarasota Bay, she added, while Option B called for a setback of 80 feet from the water. Saying he was “trying to get his head around [the options],” Commissioner Kevin Cooper explained, “It didn’t set well with me, the whole time I was reading it.” “Why do it this way?” he asked Deputy County Attorney Alan Roddy, since Patten had told the board the idea originated with Roddy. “This was better than the other alternative I heard,” Roddy replied. The property owners want to keep the rights to build the site plan that the county approved in 2006, Roddy continued, because they are not certain the intended buyers will follow through with the purchase of the land. The alternative proposed to county staff, Roddy added, was to have the Planning Commission and County Commission approve an ordinance that would remain in limbo until the future ownership of the property had been determined. “We don’t want an ordinance hanging around out there.” Still, Roddy noted, at some point, a petitioner might come to the Planning Commission with three or four options for a site, depending on what

potential outcomes of a deal. “That [approach] might not be accepted.” As Patten had pointed out, Roddy said that when someone comes forward with a request for county staff to approve a construction plan for the site, one of the two options before the board that night will be set in place for Cassia Cay. Such a plan “is the one common element we get to in the development process,” he told the commissioners. “Tonight, we actually have the opportunity to reduce the number of dwelling units on the property,” Commissioner Andy Stultz pointed out. Responding to public comments about the intensity of traffic that will result from the new residences, Cooper added that if Option B is developed, that will lead to fewer vehicles. “I actually like B better,” Commissioner John Ask said. “I hope we get that reduced density.” And although a number of the speakers during the public hearing voiced opposition to plans for commercial development of the 18-acre site east of the designated residential area, Patten explained that the applicants had withdrawn the rezoning petition for that segment of the proposal while they work with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) staff about some changes in their concept. Continued on page 18

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941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

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Siesta Key Village Association to be merged into Siesta Chamber as of Dec. 31

By Rachel Brown Hackney www.SarasotaNewsLeader.com A merger years in the making became reality in early November, when members of the Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) voted unanimously to merge the organization into the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. The goal is “to enhance the overall representation and relations between the north and south ends of the key, longtime SKVA board member and Chamber member Russell Matthes explained during the SKVA’s Nov. 1 meeting. “This will allow the Siesta Key Chamber to become a stronger voice in the community,” he added, “and continue building business via marketing and promotions.” Matthes pointed out that a steering committee comprising members of both the SKVA and Siesta Chamber boards “felt like this is the time to do this for various reasons.” “What we’re doing is taking the priorities of the Village Association and extending them, making them island-wide, Siesta Chamber Chair and SKVA Vice President Mark Smith stated in an interview after the meeting. The SKVA, which is more than 40 years old, officially will be absorbed into the Chamber as of Dec. 31, Matthes announced. In citing the factors that led to the timing of the merger, Matthes explained during the Nov. 1 session that the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp. has been doing well in handling the upkeep of the North Village, and the finances of both the SKVA and the Chamber “are relatively strong.” Moreover, he continued, “We feel that the overlapping of committee members, board members and actually members of the Village Association and the Chamber can get confusing to new members and,

sometimes current members.” Additionally, he noted, many of the same people serve on committees for both organizations, and often meetings of both groups end up focused on the same topics. Matthes pointed out that the SKVA and the Chamber have been undertaking a number of events together and on their own each year. The annual calendar begins with the Craft Show in February, followed by the Valentine’s Stroll, Siesta Fiesta in the spring, the Easter Egg Hunt and Games, the July Fourth fireworks show, Safe Treats on Halloween, Sandfest, the Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival each November and Light Up the Village — the holiday season kickoff. “It’s difficult for an all-volunteer ‘army’ to pull [all these] off year after year,” Smith said. “We just think we can work as a whole,” Matthes added, to make the events even better and more successful. Furthermore, the merger of the SKVA and the Chamber will lead to the expansion of events — such as Safe Treats on Halloween — to the south end of the island, Smith told the approximately 15 people present. Discussions already are underway about the potential for holding the 15th annual Easter Egg Hunt at Turtle Beach in 2017, Smith noted.

The details

The steering committee members who worked on the merger reviewed the bylaws of both the SKVA and the Chamber, Mattes explained, “to make sure we were guided correctly.” They also met with the attorney for the Chamber, Eric Flemming, who drafted an agreement calling for the Chamber

to essentially acquire the SKVA, Matthes said; and they talked with the SKVA’s accountant for the SKVA. The SKVA has slightly more than $70,000 in its treasury, Matthes pointed out. Before the Maintenance Corp. was organized, Smith noted, 80% to 85% of the SKVA members’ dues went to Village upkeep, including garbage pickup, pressure washing of the sidewalks, trimming the palms and related efforts. In conjunction with the Sarasota County project to improve the Village in 2008-09, the Maintenance Corp. was organized to represent all the property owners who are assessed by the county on an annual basis to pay for the upkeep. County staff oversees the budget and coordinates any county initiatives with the Maintenance Corp. Michael Shay, past president of the Siesta Key Association, has served as the SKVA liaison to the Maintenance Corp.; he will continue in that role on behalf of the Siesta Chamber, SKVA President Wendall Jacobsen and Matthes said. Lisa Cece, the special district coordinator in the county’s Transportation and Real Estate departments who supervises Village upkeep for the county, stated that Shay serves as the “eyes and ears” on the island, proving of great assistance to her and other county staff in regard to the upkeep. The SKVA members’ confidence in Shay and Cece “leaves us with a good feeling that we can make a move like this.” Matthes also praised Ann Frescura, executive director of the Chamber, and the other Chamber employees. “I firmly believe we have the strongest Chamber staff … right now. They’re doing a great job.”

Mark Smith Frescura began her work with the Chamber at the beginning of this year.

The finances

The SKVA plans to turn over about $40,000 to the Chamber’s general fund as the merger takes place, Matthes said. The remainder will go toward specific projects, such as further improvements to the traffic island just south of the Village, where plantings, signs and a palm were destroyed in a vehicular accident in August, Smith added. One idea is to undertake another pressure washing of the sidewalks to supplement the cleaning that is part of the maintenance contract with Buccaneer Landscape Management of Pinellas Park. “We can certainly find places to put the remaining $30,000 pretty quickly,” Matthes added.

Going forward

SKVA board member Glen Cappetta, owner of Sun Ride Pedicab, made the motion to dissolve the SKVA and allocate a minimum of $40,000 from its treasury to the Siesta Chamber.

The motion noted that all SKVA members who are not Chamber members will be grandfathered in through March 31, 2017. Peter van Roekens, the Terrace East condominium association r ep re se nt a t ive t o t h e SK V A, seconded the motion. The last official — brief, Matthes emphasized — SKVA meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar in Siesta Village. That is where the organization has been holding its monthly sessions. The gathering will be primarily social, akin to a “happy hour,” added Matthes, one of the co-owners of the business. After Jan. 1, Smith told SNL, a schedule of quarterly general meetings will be established so any member of the Chamber who is interested in attending will have an opportunity to ask questions. As things have stood, he pointed out, the Chamber has had “no vehicle for a business member to address the board.” Matthes explained that an Island Business Committee of the Chamber will be set up, with a co-chair representing each end of the island. Alana Tomasso, immediate past chair of the Chamber, will be the person from the south end. She is the general manager of Midnight Cove Realty. Jacobsen, who is the general manager of Beach Bazaar, will represent the north end. That group will conduct the general sessions. Matthes also recognized his fellow members of the steering committee, which worked on the merger: Aledia Tush, co-owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters; Kathy Elliott of Signarama; Nikki Logan Curran of Mattison’s Forty-One; Kay Kouvatsos, co-owner of The Village Café; Tomasso; and Jacobsen.

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

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Holiday Cheer for Kids Fighting Cancer By Karl Maggard/Landings resident

2016 CAMPAIGN KICKOFF The 2016 Holiday Cheer for Kids Fighting Cancer program is currently underway. This outreach program started in 2014, by Sarasota resident, Henry Rhodes and has become an annual Landings community program where he resides. Rhodes recounts how he became involved back in 2014, in what he believes to be an extremely meaningful program. “A personal friend at the Center for Building Hope (now defunct) mentioned at lunch how several families with kids fighting cancer would not be having a very good holiday because of financial circumstances.” Rhodes had been involved in Chicago with Episcopal Diocese in a similar program providing Holiday Cheer for needy children. “I spoke to friend and Landings resident Jim Goldman who had also been involved in a similar program in Pittsburg with his local synagogue.” With only a short two week window, Rhodes and Goldman along with other residents from The Landings were able to come together

in a big way that year by ‘adopting’ seven families. In 2015, they were able to expand the program to include even more families. “It’s our goal to continue expanding the number of Sarasota families we can help out; those with limited resources who have children with cancer,” Rhodes said. “We invite our Siesta Key neighbors to partner with us in providing this much needed relief and holiday cheer for these families.” This campaign also helps to buy some gifts for the siblings of the children with cancer, who often receive no presents because there are simply insufficient resources. Some of the parents are not able to provide holiday support for their children because they have had to give up their jobs to care for the stricken child, and all available funds are being used for medical needs. Family sponsors receive information about each member of the identified family to assist in the selection of gift/donations. The information includes the makeup of family members, their ages and

sex of children; clothing and shoe sizes and gift suggestions (games and toys) for each child. Donors have also provided contributions to the program with personal checks or gift cards for Walmart/Costco-type stores. Keep in mind that these families might be shopping for food at these stores as well. Sarasota family information is being provided by Children’s Cancer Center (CCC) (“helping children and families cope”). The CCC was founded in 1974 with the help of the University of South Florida and is associated with the All-Children’s Tampa Hospital and Johns Hopkins. The program was envisioned as a way to help cope with this life-threatening disease by providing educational, psychosocial and financial support. Sponsors are encouraged to invite two or more friends to join them in making support gifts/donations, and if they wish, join together to share support of one of the families. This worthwhile opportunity gives

you a chance to join together to lighten the load of others at a time of year when the weight of cancer feels overwhelming. All gift, cash and check donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made out to: Henry Rhodes, Chair (with a notation on the check) “Landings Holiday Cheer for Kids

Fighting Cancer.” Send check to Henry Rhodes at 5365 Landings Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34231, or the checks can be dropped off at the Landings Racquet Club. If you’d prefer to shop for a gift, please drop off wrapped gifts at the Landings Racquet Club on Friday afternoon, December 16. Know that your kind and generous support will bring infinite blessings to you as well as the families faced with this devastating diagnosis. For more information on this program, please contact any of the following volunteers. Contact: Henry Rhodes (941-927-1047; henry@ sqreone.com); Heidi Bodor (941-927-7897; heidobo@verizon. net); Carmen Lawrence (941-7061600; carmenblawrence@gmail. com); Karl Maggard (941-5447032; karlm9972@gmail.com); Jim Goldman (941-539-0774; jimgoldman@aol.com) if you’d like to help.

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941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

Financial Focus With the holiday season upon us, you may well be busier than usual. However, by spending a few minutes reviewing your investment scenario of this past year, you can see where you’ve been, where you might be going, and what you need to do to keep moving forward toward your long-term financial goals. So, as you look back at 2016, pay close attention to these elements of your investment picture: • Performance – Reviewing your investment performance over time is important in helping you determine if you’re on track to achieve your financial goals. So, in evaluating how your investments did in 2016, ask yourself some key questions: How did your investments do relative to their performance in past years? If there was a big difference, what might have accounted for it? Were your returns relevant to your long-term goals? In other words, if you have already established a return rate you’ll need to reach your goals – and you should indeed set such a rate – were your actual returns “on track” to help you make progress

941.349.0194

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|Time for a Year-end Investment Review

toward your objectives? And, just as importantly, were your return expectations realistic, based on your investment mix and the market environment? • Investment mix – If you are a diligent investor following a welldesigned strategy, you probably started out in 2016 with an investment mix that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and shortand long-term goals. But over time, your investment mix can change, even without your having done so on purpose. If you owned a certain percentage of an asset, such as growth stocks, and those stocks appreciated in price substantially, they could take up a larger percentage of your portfolio than you had intended, thereby exposing you to a higher risk level than that with which you are comfortable. So now that the year is coming to a close, examine your investment mix to see if it needs “rebalancing.” • Contribution levels – Are you taking full advantage of your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan? Specifically, if you got a raise this past year, did you boost your contributions to

your plan? The more you invest now, and throughout your working life, the less likely it will be that you have to play “catch up” in the years immediately preceding your retirement. • Mistakes – We all make mistakes in every walk of life – including the way we invest. In looking back over 2016, can you spot some investment mistakes you might have made? Did you temporarily “bail out” on investing immediately after the “Brexit” vote, only to find, a few weeks later, that the markets had soared to record highs? Did you act on impulse and buy a so-called “hot” stock that turned out to be inappropriate for your needs and risk level? While mistakes like these might be costly in the short term, they can ultimately prove invaluable – if you learn from them. We’re just about ready to turn the page on the 2016 calendar. So, as you review your investment decisions for the past year, try to determine what worked, what didn’t – and what you can do to improve your results in 2017.

NOTICE:

Lorraine’s Island Beauty & Barber has moved

Joe St.Onge, ChFC® Financial Advisor Edward Jones Investments 5112 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242

(941)-346-0560 phone (941)-320-4030 mobile Joe.StOnge@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Effective August 20, 2016, Doris Waywell Smith, owner of Lorraine’s Island Beauty & Barber shop moved to the Village. After 40+ years and thousands of customers, Waywell Smith along with Brian will be working out of Salon Capelli, located at 5057 Ocean Blvd. To make an appointment, please call Doris at 941-346-7206 or email her at Waywellsmithdoris@gmail.com

NOTICE:

What will the Siesta Key Public Beach look like after the Big Pass has been dredged to renourish Lido Beach?

SKA working for You! www.siestakeyassociation.com

The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection Public Information Session BIG PASS DREDGING PERMIT and LIDO BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT

November 30, 2016 Fire Station No. 2 at 2070 Waldemere Street • 6 – 7:30 PM Event Details: The Lido Key Nourishment meeting is a public meeting open to all interested parties. The meeting will provide an overview of the proposed project and an opportunity for the public to learn more information about specific components of the project, including engineering analysis, resource impacts and mitigation, fish and wildlife analysis, and permitting and proprietary criteria. Each project component will be housed at individual stations to allow for discussions with the experts.

Siesta Key Association invites Members and Neighbors to share questions and comments during our monthly meeting

Dec. 1, Community Center, St. Boniface Episcopal Church 4:30-5:45pm

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Siesta Key Round-Up

DECEMBER 2016

So little???

In the wake of a November neighborhood workshop, the proposal for a miniature golf course in Siesta Village is on hold, the attorney representing the couple behind the project has told SNL. “We’re still evaluating [our next steps],” Robert Lincoln said during a Nov. 10 telephone interview. “There were some local residents who indicated their vociferous objection to the project,” he added of the Nov. 2 meeting held at St. Boniface Episcopal Church. One attendee — who asked not to be named — stated, the best word to sum up the session was “contentious.” The primary concern is parking, Lincoln continued, although he said he believes the 13 vehicle spaces that will be provided — plus three more for bicycles or motorcycles “would be enough.” That is based on the experience Mike Driscoll — the proponent of the idea — has had with similar courses Driscoll owns in

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com Mark Smith worked over the past couple of years on another concept for expanded Village parking, that open space was one of the spots he identified, as he noted in an interview. The only building Driscoll has proposed on the site would be a starter house/restroom facility, which would be about 200 square feet.

Mini golf course project on hold

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton Beach, Lincoln added. From the outset, Lincoln and Driscoll have maintained that the project would not be a destination attraction. As Lincoln put it in an interview in August, “This is the kind of thing somebody’s going to do before or after they’ve gone to a restaurant or eaten ice cream [in the Village].” During the workshop, Lincoln said, people emphasized the parking limitations in Siesta Village, indicating Driscoll should help alleviate that situation. “Obviously,” Lincoln pointed out, “we can’t do that.” Driscoll’s focus, under county planning guidelines, is to provide enough parking for his project only, Lincoln noted. The neighborhood workshop was required by Sarasota County as part of the planning process. The 18-hole miniature course has been proposed for 5160 Calle Minorga, a 10,500-squarefoot vacant lot that once was envisioned by representatives of island organizations as an area just for parking. In fact, as Siesta Key Village Association Vice President

As Siesta resident Mike Cosentino has continued to appear each month before the County Commission — pleading for the board to rescind its May 11 vote vacating a 357-foot segment of North Beach Road — one supporter steadfastly has joined him in that effort: Siesta resident Linda Valley. In late October, Valley sparked a question from Commissioner Charles Hines when she talked about the fact that Florida has 825 miles of shoreline, but only 40% of that land is public. The county with the least amount of public access to its beaches is Sarasota County, she said, with a figure of about 20%. “Based on that fact alone,” Valley told the board, “not only should you not vacate any waterfront property,” but the board should budget to buy more. “Where did you get that information?” Hines asked her. Having read so much material over the past few months, Valley replied, she was not certain. However, she promised to find the document and let him know. On Nov. 9, during the most recent County Commission meeting in downtown Sarasota,

she had the answer, and she provided a copy of the document to the commissioners. The figure came from a county Beach Access Conflict Case Study that covered the period of 1980 through 2014, and it focused on Siesta Key. The document points out, “Sarasota County has been involved in controversy over beach access on Siesta Key since the early 1970s.” It goes on to provide details of the closing of Shell Road to members of the public — a fact many of Cosentino’s allies have stressed. “Until 1972,” the document notes, “Shell Road was an approximately [three-quartermile-long] unpaved road that ran along … the western edge of northern Siesta Key.” After complaints from residents “about excessive noise and danger from careless drivers,” it continues, “the large middle portion of the U-shaped road was closed to vehicular traffic” in 1972. However, the road did remain open to pedestrians and bicyclists, the document adds. As more disputes ensued over the years between Shell Road residents and the public — including disagreements over parking along Shell Road’s northern and southern access points, both of which connected Higel Road to the shoreline — “No Parking” signs began to appear along those access points, the study says. Further, “No Trespassing” signs were planted along the unpaved right of way that had been closed to vehicular traffic. “By 1980, the issue came to

a head,” the report continues. “Many Shell Road residents had begun claiming the right of way as their private property by building walkways and swimming pools across the former roadway,” the document points out, and pedestrians and cyclists “complained of harassment from residents, while the residents complained of trespassing, littering, thefts, and vandalism.” When, in response, the County Commission approved a plan to establish public ownership by constructing a nature trail along the former roadway, the study says, Shell Road residents filed suit. Ultimately, the county prevailed in the legal action, the document notes, adding that the nature trail exists. The study went on to discuss further disputes that have erupted in recent years, including the effort by owners of condominiums on Crescent Beach to prevent the public from walking across their property. The document explains, “The Florida Constitution establishes that the wet sand portion of the beach, or all land seaward of the MHTL [Mean High Tide Line], is owned by the state and held in trust for the public. However, the dry sand portion of beach, or all sand landward of the MHTL, is often privately owned by the beachfront property owner.” The document adds, “To this day, the conflict persists as some beachfront property owners continue to prevent the public from [recreation] or passing the dry sand areas above the MHTL.” Continued on page 9

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Food trucks finally get relaxed regulations With changes having been made at their request in October, the Sarasota County commissioners on Nov. 8 unanimously approved a revised food truck ordinance that will eliminate restrictions between the mobile units and between the trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Christina Walsh, director of activism and coalitions for the Institute for Justice, told the board that the previous regulations “were, without a doubt, some of the worst in the entire nation.” Food truck operators will be able to get an annual permit from the county and then work with private property owners to serve people in a number of the county’s zoning districts. As county Zoning Administrator Donna Thompson explained on Nov. 8, the addition of the Office, Professional and Institutional (OPI) district was among the latest changes to the ordinance. Any request to operate a food truck on one of the barrier islands or on public right of way, Thompson pointed out, still will necessitate a

public hearing before the County Commission. In the revised ordinance, the hours of operation will be limited to the period between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., unless the trucks are on the site of a business or institution that is not a street vendor and that has a later closing time. At the specific request of commissioners on Oct. 10, the new ordinance will require a separation of 150 feet between residential structures and a food truck, “unless an intervening nonresidential building screens the vendor from view,” according to a memo Thompson provided the board in advance of the meeting. One other new provision calls for the limitation of no more than two vendors on any parcel unless they are part of a special event for which the county’s zoning administrator has issued a temporary use permit (TUP). “We think that you will find that, in practice, this will prove to be unnecessary,” Walsh said of the latter restriction. And while the county’s Planning Commission had recommended

that a vendor be required to show proof of liability insurance before the county would issue the business a permit, Thompson’s memo said that, after conferring with the Institute for Justice, that requirement will be applied only to food truck businesses wishing to operate on public property. Walsh noted that the county’s food truck businesses were willing to accede to the barrier island restriction, but she added that the Institute for Justice opposes regulations that necessitate permitting on a location-bylocation basis on public property. While the revised ordinance “does fall short of ideal,” Walsh said, “we are here to get this done.” A day after the vote, Chris Jett, founder of the SRQ Food Truck Alliance, told SNL, “It is an incredible first step.” Once the new guidelines have been in effect for a while, Walsh told the commissioners she hoped the board would loosen more of the restrictions. Jett voiced the same hope during his public remarks. Walsh especially lauded the

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By Rachel Brown Hackney www.SarasotaNewsLeader.com

elimination from the ordinance of the regulation that no food truck could operate within 800 feet of an established restaurant, without notarized written consent from the restaurant owner or operator. “This is protectionist, unconstitutional and an illegitimate use of government power,” Walsh told the board. “We are delighted to see it go,” she added, along with the 750-foot separation that had been required between food trucks. Jett said what the food truck operators are seeking “is availability to move if a spot doesn’t work.” Jett also told the commissioners he had gathered close to 3,000 signatures over the previous weekend from people supporting the board’s approval of letting the food trucks roam freely. He further reminded the board that the cooking is contained inside the vehicles. Referencing slides Thompson showed the board earlier, Jett added that Alday’s BBQ is “a perfect example of what we are.” Alday’s operates on the site of the Marathon service station at

the northeast intersection of Bahia Vista Street and Beneva Road, in Pinecraft. “They have never had a complaint,” Jett said. In the Nov. 9 telephone interview, Jett said of the board members, “They are going to see how well we do,” working under the new guidelines. “There are lots of food trucks out there that are operating illegally,” he pointed out. They know who they are.” If they stay in line, he continued, that will give the SRQ Food Truck Alliance a much better opportunity to seek relaxation of some of the ordinance’s provisions in the future. “We’ll work with ’em,” he added. “I can show them how to [operate] properly.” Jett extended his appreciation, especially, to Vice Chair Paul Caragiulo, Chair Alan Maio and Commissioner Christine Robinson, as well as to Thompson. He noted that Thompson had been willing to listen to the Alliance’s concerns all through the two-year-long process that led to the Nov. 8 vote. Continued on page 21

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Siesta Key Round-Up Not the Siesta applicant With two openings on the county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) under consideration on Nov. 8, and three candidates having applied for them, the lone person from Siesta Key proved to be the one the County Commission did not appoint to the board. A memo explained that the first position was for an individual who had to be a representative of a collector of the county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT), or bed tax, as it is known; the four-year term would run through September 2020. The second spot also had to go to a representative of a collector of the TDT. That appointment was to fill an unexpired term, effective through October 2019, the memo said. On the nomination by Commissioner Christine Robinson, the first TDC opening went to Terrance Torvund of Sarasota, who is the assistant manager at Myakka River State Park. He also serves on the county’s Historical

DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Continued from page 7

Commission, his application says. Torvund’s application adds that he has been a park ranger at other facilities, as well, including “beaches, preserves and recreation sites.” The second opening went to developer Angus Rogers of Sarasota, whose Floridays firm is constructing the Hotel Sarasota next to the Palm Avenue garage in downtown Sarasota, as well as the Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch and the Home2 Suites by Hilton on Casey Key. The third applicant was Mike Holderness, owner of SaraBay Real Estate and Siesta Key Beachside Villas. Regular readers may remember that earlier this year, Holderness purchased the former home of the late, beloved Siesta resident Capt. Ralph Styles. Located at 99 Beach Road, it has become one of Holderness’ stable rental houses on the island. Holderness’ application notes his real estate experience and says he is a former fire commissioner. It adds, “Held world kickboxing title, may come in handy.”

Benderson support probably doubtful During the Nov. 8 County Commission’s public hearing on the revised food truck ordinance, Chris Jett, founder of the SRQ Food Truck Alliance, may have pricked up a few extra ears among audience members, so to speak, when he mentioned the site of Benderson Development’s proposed Siesta Promenade project. Ideally, Jett told the board, food trucks should be able to operate more freely than even the revised ordinance permits. For example, he said, asphalt exists at the site of a former business on the northwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. People driving to Siesta Key to go to the beach would be able to stop and pick up something to eat, he continued, if a food truck were operating there. Although Benderson Development is working with county staff to construct the Siesta Promenade mixed-use development at that corner, Jett continued, “there’s nothing there now.”

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SKA and county staff offer updates on Big Pass project

Confusion continues to swirl around the exact timeline the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is following in regard to the City of Sarasota/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposal to dredge Big Sarasota Pass to renourish South Lido Key Beach. In October, Jess Boyd, an FDEP spokeswoman, responded to a request for clarification from SNL: “The application for a Joint Coastal Permit was deemed complete as of 9/28/2016. The department now has 90 days to issue a Notice of Intent to Issue or Deny [a permit for the project]. The challenge period of that action is within 14 days of the date of publication of the notice or written notice, whichever occurs first.” A second FDEP spokeswoman, Dee Ann Miller, confirmed that again in early November, in spite of the fact that a document on the FDEP website says the department has 60 days from Oct. 1 “to take agency action.”

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Sheriff’s Report

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Oct. 19- Nov. 15, 2016

There were a total of 22 crimes reported on the Key between 10/19-11/15/16

10/19/16 Burglary- Vehicle 600 Block Canal Rd. A man reported his Mercedes burglarized during the night. The car had been parked in his driveway. Three dollars cash and a Rolex watch were stolen from the center console. The watch was valued at $40,000. The car was not locked. 10/22/16 Burglary- Vehicle Columbus Blvd. A man said sometime during the night, an unknown person removed various items from his unlocked car. A Dell laptop ($500), HP laptop ($200) and camera bag ($25) were among the items missing. He said he and his family had been in and out of the car loading it to return home, having all the doors opened and closed, before they noticed the missing items. For this reason the car was unable to be processed for fingerprints. 10/23/16 Battery Public Beach A man was arrested for battery at the Sunday night drum circle. A deputy on patrol noticed an altercation in progress. The deputy separated three men and a large group of individuals inside the drumming area, including the defendant. According to the victims, they were inside the drumming area preaching their gospel while holding signs when the large group approached them. The group started to batter the three men, while also pulling on their camera equipment. The victims were able to identify one of the individuals that attacked them. They did not receive any injuries, and the only thing harmed were the signs they were holding. According to the defendant he was upset that the men were protesting the drum circle, and providing negative energy to the group as a whole. The victims regularly attend the drum circle, protesting it’s meaning. 10/24/16 Theft 6000 Block Midnight Pass Rd. A woman flagged down a deputy regarding a bicycle theft. She was on vacation and had been

provided a bicycle by the rental property. She rode the bike to a nearby restaurant for lunch and left it out front unsecured while she ate. When she left the restaurant, she noticed the bike was gone. There were no nearby security cameras to record the incident. 10/27/16 Burglary 500 Block Beach Rd. A man left his residence for the night. The next morning, his father came to do yard work and noticed a light on in the home. Knowing that his son was not at home, he contacted him. The man returned home to find a rear sliding glass door open and the front door unlocked. Both doors had visible pry marks. All kitchen cabinet doors were open and the upstairs of the residence had been rummaged through. The man said no one had permission to enter the property. Items taken included: 50” Samsung TV ($800), 2 Vera Wang comforters ($300 each), 48” Samsung TV ($600), and 2 silver lamps ($240). There were no witnesses but fingerprints were submitted. 11/2/16 Grand Theft 1200 block Stickney Pt. Rd. A deputy responded to a call from the Bee Ridge Rd Fire Department. They had a patient in the driver’s seat of a car who was unable to drive. The deputy made contact with the sleepy driver who said he hadn’t slept much the night before. He observed a large pile of clothes sitting on the front

seat with tags and hangers still on them. The items were not in a bag. The defendant was wearing a shirt with stickers still on it, indicating it was new. The deputy contacted the store named on the tags where the owner reported he had watched video footage of the person who took the clothing without paying. The clothing was outside the store on clearance racks when the defendant stole them. The owner of the store wished to press charges for retail theft. The clothing was valued at $691.92 11/6/16 Theft Public Beach A man reported he went to the concession stand at the pavilion and bought several items. As he walked back to the beach, two men approached him and handed him a cell phone. The man checked his pockets and realized the phone was his. He realized he had forgotten to zip the pocket on his pants and noticed his wallet also fell out. He retraced his steps in the sand until he found his wallet. $1000 in assorted bills were missing from inside. He checked the area but was unable to locate his money. The men who returned his phone had no information about the wallet. 11/6/16 Theft Public Beach A man who left his backpack unsecured at the drum circle returned to find it stolen. The backpack contained a key, 2 towels, a NY driver’s license, credit card and $220 in cash. There was no suspect or witness information.

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SKA Second Vice President Catherine Luckner referenced the timeline during the November SKA meeting, pointing out, “It is very likely within the next two months we will have a response from [FDEP] about whether [it intends] to issue the dredge permit.” Even if it does indicate it plans to issue the permit to the city and the USACE, she continued, an administrative challenge can be made — the 14-day period Boyd noted in her email. Such a challenge, Luckner said, can be pegged to the question, for example, of whether FDEP followed all the necessary rules in making its decision. Right now, she added, an internal review is underway at the department as its experts work to make that determination. Furthermore, Luckner noted, if FDEP says its intent is to issue the permit, and someone challenges that decision, that person then has standing to challenge the permit itself and even to take the matter to court. In related news, Luckner informed this reporter she had

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Continued from page 9

contacted Sarasota County staff for an update from its perspective on where things stand with the City of Sarasota in regard to the project. When the County Commission sent a letter to the USACE on Aug. 24, seeing an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) of the proposed dredging of Big Pass, a copy of that letter was shared with city staff, Matt Osterhoudt, interim director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, informed Luckner via email. (The SKA had requested the board call for the EIS; it sent a letter to the commissioners in early July.) Osterhoudt continued, “I am not aware of any staff-level technical discussions that then followed between the County and the City of Sarasota about this issue since late August. This week, ACOE staff stated that they would be preparing a response to the Board’s request for an EIS on the project within the next month or so.” When Luckner then asked whether county and city staff

had had any discussions about the potential staging for part of the project in the county’s Ted Sperling Park on South Lido, Osterhoudt wrote on Nov. 3, “To date, the County has not yet received any request from the City or ACOE regarding the use of Ted Sperling Park to support the Lido Beach project. Therefore, there have not been any discussions to date between County staff and City/ACOE staff about this topic. Staff anticipates that an official request will be made based on the drawings submitted by the City to the State of Florida as part of the permit application documents. At the time that the City/ACOE contacts the county about the possible staging area, we expect conversation around that topic to address pertinent issues associated with the use of the park for staging or other project-related activities.” Osterhoudt added, “In anticipation of this request, staff reached out to the FDEP to gain a better understanding of the process. Continued on page 16

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Flavors of India Sarasota - Authentic Indian Cuisine Flavors of India Sarasota is located in a strip mall about ¼ mile south of the Stickney Point Bridge. The outside of this restaurant appears unassuming, but when you enter it is anything but. The interior was remodeled when the new owners took over this location last year and has an amazing ceiling imported from India. You may even think you’re in Indian heaven when you enter and smell the aromas that greet you. That’s because what they serve here is authentic Indian Cuisine. The daily luncheons are modestly priced at $8.99, during the week and the selection are more than you’d normally find in an Indian buffet. On the weekends they offer a Maharaja Buffet for $11.99. Menu selections are also available for lunch. Buffet luncheons are served from 11:30 am – 3 pm. The dinner menu starts at 3 pm and lasts until 10 pm. In addition to the traditional Mango Lassi, Masala tea, and Madras coffee, beer and wine are also available for lunch and dinner. From the many positive reviews, it is evident service and kitchen staff are professionally trained and continuously work to provide a quality service experience. As one customer noted, “Fantastic! Greeted by smiles and enthusiasm in this lovely, cozy Indian restaurant.” As for the food, well, just take a glimpse of some of the many comments posted on Yelp and Trip Advisor. ***Reeeeally great flavors. I don’t eat buffets usually but my friend and I were in a pinch for time so I made a compromise.... I’ve now returned 4 times. This is unlike any buffet I have had Indian or otherwise. It goes on and on: chutneys, salsas, salads, a couple vegetarian and several meat curries, rice and Briyani dishes, breads and desserts, with plenty of fresh Naan brought to the table - perfectly cooked and not

Boulevard Buzz A new look for the holiday season Just in time for the holidays, Siesta Village will be getting new banners with a seasonal theme, Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) President Wendall Jacobsen reported during the Nov. 1 meeting. The project has been underway for months, he said. Kathy Elliott of Signarama is handling the project for the SKVA, board member Russell Matthes

the chicken tikka masala is sooo good! Open on Sunday’s and has a very friendly staff. We will be returning again very soon. ***This is an excellent Indian restaurant and I’ve eaten at several throughout the US. Authentic and delicious and great service too! ***I highly recommend this restaurant! My family and I just moved here from Texas and we love Indian food so we decided to go there. We started with some samosas and as soon as we opened them steam came out; you can tell that they were just made and they tasted delicious! I split the butter chicken with my mom and that was plenty for the both of us (basmati rice included). The sauce was to die for and the chicken was extremely tender to the point where I didn’t need a knife to cut it. My dad got the chicken vindaloo and I’ve never seen him devour a meal so quickly! He even asked for a second helping of rice. Our waiter was amazing and the atmosphere was relaxing. We have definitely found our hidden gem in paradise!

greasy. Both times everything was very fresh and good quality, super flavorful! It’s only $10 too - ridiculously good - it’s a must try. ***Went for dinner on a Wednesday night and my group had a paneer dish, a lamb dish and a vegetarian dish along with Mango Lassi and paneer naan. All were excellent. The service was very good, our server was very friendly and helpful. The rice was particularly tasty, I’m always impressed when a restaurant manages to master something that is so simple. The lamb vindaloo was VERY spicy, which is exactly how I like it. Delicious food, reasonable prices and great service. Highly recommend this place if you’re in the area. ***Just recently discovered via Yelp review. New owners. Food is authentic, fresh, beautifully prepared. They are from Kerala and menu offerings include many North and South

Indian favorites. Kerala style shrimp curry was outstanding. Lunch buffet is varied and generous! Wait staff informative, welcoming and kind-hearted!! ***I have dined here once and I have to say the food was outstanding. When I dine out I rarely eat Indian as I never feel that the food taste like home (I am Indian). But my experience at Flavors of India was different. The beef fry was so much like the one u get back home. I tried beef, shrimp, Chole Bature and also a goat curry. Every single dish was delicious! Great staff and friendly service!!! ***The best buffet selection I’ve seen in a long time! The food was delicious. They have a great assortment of food from samosas to goat rogen josh! Everything is worth trying! And

***7 of us eat dinner at Flavors of India and we all would rate the experience with 5 stars. Every entree was well prepared, with excellent sauces, generous sizes, and good service. It’s been hard to find a 5 star Indian restaurant. While only open 5 months, they have already set a high bar. This place is now a must on all our lists. “Our customers are our guests, and we treat our guests like god,” say co-owners Lijo Lukose and Sijil Mon Thomas, “ ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ is our motto.” That pretty much sums up why they have such a loyal following. Flavors of India is located at 7119 S Tamiami Trail, Ste. E, Sarasota, FL 34231. (941) 921-9200. Hours of operation are: Mon, Wed, and Thurs - 11:30 am - 9:30 pm. Fri, Sat, Sun - 11:30 am - 10:00 pm. They are closed on Tuesdays. (Advertorial)

By Rachel Brown Hackney www.SarasotaNewsLeader.com

noted, adding that the firm “gave us an outstanding price.” “We’re excited about it,” Jacobsen said. And with preparations long underway for the Village’s traditional holiday kickoff — Light Up the Village, set for Nov. 26 — SKVA Vice President Mark Smith realized during the SKVA meeting that he still needed to get a permit for the parade. “That’s in the works,” Lt. Donny

Kennard of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office told Smith with a smile. “I don’t want Santa getting pulled over,” Smith responded. “It’s bad press for everyone.” On one final note regarding the new banners, Sarasota County Commission Chair Alan Maio — a guest at the meeting — asked how much the banners cost. After Matthes told him they will be approximately $50 each, Maio

replied that he would like to buy one to hang in his office. “You want the whole light pole?” Smith asked Maio, eliciting laughter. “Sure,” Maio replied. And speaking of the light poles from which the banners hang: Michael Shay, the SKVA liaison to the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp. — which pays for the Village upkeep — pointed out that the pole in front of the former 7-Eleven has been missing a banner. He asked

Matthes to add one more to the count.

A slowdown for sidewalks Having been among those folks driving along Higel Avenue early on the morning of Nov. 1, I could not help but notice someone had put out traffic cones near the big house being constructed on the waterway, just north of the Higel/Midnight Pass Road intersection. Continued on page 24

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

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Veteran’s Day Celebration at The Landings By Debbie Flessner

“I’ve always wanted to create something special,” exclaims Angelo. “A place that goes beyond ’eating dinner’ that makes you feel comfortable and happy, with no time pressure, a place to enjoy personal food presentation and entertainment.” The dream is here now with Angelo’s Wine Club, a members-only private dining room that is exciting and very gratifying. Enjoy an evening of the Angelo experience... stay as long as you like... dining is always a five course presentation and always outstanding values to be savored at a relaxed pace. Live music is here every night, from the area’s fine musical artists. There is some exclusivity in membership because Angelo’s Wine Club is limited in the number of members it can accommodate. If you are interested, please phone Jessica from 2 to 4 daily with questions and to begin your membership at 941-312-4747. If you phone after hours, leave a message and mention Angelo’s Wine Club and we will return the call. Angelo’s is open 6-days-a-week, serving dinner from 4-9:30 pm. Friday and Saturday until 10pm. Closed on Sunday. 6115 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231

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Since President “Hopefully, someday we Eisenhower officially can get back to the spirit changed the name of a and hope of yesteryear.” fall day of remembrance Bringing with them from Armistice Day to the promise of a positive Veteran’s Day in 1954, future for the country was November 11 has become the Riverview High School a special date to honor JROTC Color Guard, led by those brave men and 1st Sgt. Fernando Garcia, women who have served U.S. Army Ret. He said that Bob Fernander the United States in the there are about 140 cadets armed forces. in the Riverview JROTC In The Landings program, and close to 16 community in particular, cadets who participate in there are more than the Color Guard. On this 50 veterans from all particular day, the cadets branches of the military were all females, each of who currently live here. whom said they had goals On Friday, November of continuing on to either 11 of this year, they were attend college and join the honored at a special ROTC there or join the luncheon inside the military or an intelligence Racquet Club. agency. Lenora Jost and the Landoliers Keynote speaker Col. Sgt. Garcia said that Bob Fernander, U.S. though most students Army Ret., addressed the who are in the JROTC men and women before program don’t necessarily lunch was served. go into the military, there “The Landings veterans is much to be gained have served across the from participating in the years, and approximately program for students of all 23 million of our fellow interests. United States citizens “We tell them they first now carry the title of need to go to college,” ‘veteran’”, he said. “You he said. “We teach them make us proud to be to be good citizens, and Americans.” most importantly, we want Col. Fernander, who them to be leaders in their Riverview High School served two tours in communities.” Vietnam, was one of the For the honored guests, JROTC Color Guard original group of friends it was a day to remember, who came up with the from the emotional singing idea of hosting a recurring of the National Anthem said. “After we play tennis, we sit celebration of veterans in The down and talk about things that at the beginning to a moving Landings community. The 2016 are going on in the world. We rendition of “God Bless America” edition was the fourth of its decided we needed to do this for just before lunch. There was kind, though they haven’t been our community.” even a reading of a letter and a held in consecutive years. In Mr. Feltman welcomed the certificate from U.S. Senator Bill between those occurrences, the luncheon group to the event, Nelson and U.S. Congressman neighborhood has a Memorial remembering the pride in military Vern Buchanan, thanking all in Day event, where they pay during WWII, which he felt in the attendance for their service. Towards the end of Col. homage to those who have died small town in New Jersey where Fernander’s speech, he addressed in service to our country. he grew up. He said that all the Col. Jerry Welch, U.S. Army homes displayed banners across the current political climate, while Ret., was another member of the front with stars sewn on—a he expressed hope for a unified the planning group, along with blue star (or stars) meant that you United States, which could work Adrienne and Howard Feltman, had one or more family members together toward common goals. a Navy veteran who fought in serving in the military and gold “In this time of war against WWII. Col. Welch explained how stars represented your military terrorism, regardless of your they came up with the idea. family members who had passed political affiliation, please support “The people in The Landings away. our troops and their families, and are very patriotic in the first place, “Today we have a different pray for their safe return,” he and we are also very athletic,” he kind of environment,” he said. said.

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DECEMBER 2016

Through the Eyes of a Veteran

Turtle’s

By Diana Colson Jim Klein was born in Canton, Ohio on February 6, 1925. His father had immigrated to the U.S. from Eastern Europe, and had served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Although Jim grew up during the Great Depression, his father taught him that there was much to be thankful for in the United States. Upon entering Northwestern University in September of 1941, Jim enlisted in the NOTC. (Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp). He was 16 at that time and his family now lived in Rockford, Illinois. The attack on Pearl Harbor came on December 7, 1941 and war was declared with Japan. The ROTC was immediately called to active duty, but remained housed on campus for several months. As the war continued, ROTC students were pulled out of school and given their commissions. Jim Klein was barely 19 when commissioned as Ensign, possibly becoming the youngest officer in the Navy at that time. He was sent for further training to Camp Bradford, a naval base outside of Norfolk, Virginia. That training completed, he was assigned as Gunnery Officer to the LST 1003 which was being built at the Boston Navy Yard. The ship was launched on June 8, 1944, and proceeded to Baltimore, Maryland, where it was decommissioned, rebuilt as a landing craft repair ship, and renamed the USS Coronis, ARL10. It was fully commissioned in November of 1944 and Jim joined the onboard crew. USS Coronis left Baltimore on January 4, 1945 for Purvis Bay in the Solomon Islands, with Jim Klein assigned as gunnery officer. The trip across the Pacific took ten days after leaving the Panama Canal. In Purvis Bay, the ship was further equipped to repair battle damaged landing crafts in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. USS Coronis had two crews – a repair crew of 125 workers, and the ship’s crew which consisted of 60 seamen. The repair crew was made up of carpenters, welders, electricians, metal workers and specialists in naval ship repairs. The USS Coronis headed north

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to Ulithi, a small atoll in the Pacific which was the staging area for the invasion of Okinawa which lay about 300 miles South of the Japanese mainland. To Jim Klein, it seemed that the whole Pacific fleet had descended upon this small atoll. From Ulithi, the Coronis headed north to a small island, Miyako, just a few miles off the coast of Okinawa. The Navy’s plan was to take Okinawa and use it as the staging point for the planned allied invasion of the Japanese mainland. Early on the morning of April 3, 1945, the invasion of Okinawa began. The Japanese fought back strenuously and Jim saw naval battles replete with Kamikaze air attacks. Two and a half months later the island was taken and Jim heard horrifying reports of hundreds of ritual suicides by Japanese officers. The USS Coronis was part of the invasion fleet for most of the entire operation. It not only repaired damaged landing craft and the smaller radar picket ships, it operated a fog generator to give protective cover from an air attack to ships lying in her area. At the end of the Okinawa invasion, the Coronis left Okinawa, and sailed for Saipan and Guam to load spare parts and supplies. They passed the island chains of Tinian, Rota, and Guam. Continuing to Subic Bay, the Coronis was assigned to serve as a repair ship for the training group preparing for the invasion of Japan.

On Aug. 14, 1945, after the use of two atomic bombs, President Truman announced “THE WAR IS OVER!” After refueling and resupplying, the Coronis returned to Okinawa to repair landing ships of the 5th fleet. She left Okinawa for Japan on the same day McArthur was signing the peace in Tokyo – Sept. 2, 1945. She sailed up Wakayama Bay to Kobe, and remained at that base until March 16, 1946. When the ship’s repair duties were completed in Japan, she was ordered to Shanghai, China, where she stayed from March 21 to April 9, 1946, before sailing back to the U.S. The Coronis arrived at Astoria, Oregon, on May 2, 1946, and sailed up the Columbia River to Portland for decommissioning. Jim Klein had served on that ship for almost two years. The Navy then had Jim travel to the naval base at Great Lakes, Illinois, where he was released to the Naval Reserves as LTJG. He returned to Northwestern to complete his studies, and soon received a BS in Business Administration. In 1948, Jim was offered a promotion to the rank of full Lieutenant if he would stay in the Naval Reserve, but he felt his time had been served. Jim Klein took full retirement and release from the Naval Reserve, and proceeded to get on with his life which included marriage in 1949 and starting a family soon thereafter. When asked what special values he learned from his time in the service, Jim has this to say: “I learned that Americans must protect their way of life from all challenges that present themselves.”

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Approval of the use of the staging area would not be required as a condition of the FDEP permit issuance, but would be required prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. In preparation for receiving a request to use Ted Sperling Park, staff has been proactively evaluating possible impacts and associated concerns, which would be shared and discussed with the City/ACOE in the future.”

Condo Council meeting One sure sign a lot of snowbirds have returned was the scheduling of the first meeting this season of the Siesta Key Condominium Council. That session was held on Nov. 15, at Siesta Key Chapel, located at 4615 Gleason Ave. The guest speaker was Sarasota attorney Dan Lobeck, who provided an overview of state, federal and local government actions taken earlier this year that will have an impact on condo complexes and owners. Among the issues on the agenda were sprinkler retrofit requirements; new federal standards for screening of sales and leases for potential criminal conduct; and the impacts on traffic expected as a result of the update of the county Comprehensive Plan.

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During his report to SKA members on Nov. 3, Deputy Chris McGregor noted that with children back in school and not all the snowbirds having returned yet, “this is the time of year for us”; not much is going on. No real crime trends had been detected, he added. SKA board member Joe Volpe told him that a would-be criminal apparently was going through unlocked vehicles on Treasure Boat Way the previous week. “Was that reported?” McGregor asked. “I doubt it,” Volpe replied. “These things have to be reported,” McGregor advised the audience of about 60 people. Otherwise, he said, deputies may be aware of similar situations but unaware they are connected to additional incidents. That reminded him of a situation

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that happened about 20 years ago, McGregor continued. A woman left a message on the office number at the Siesta Key substation, saying, “It’s Friday night. I just chased a guy out of my house.” McGregor pointed out that because the substation generally is not staffed at night or on the weekends, he did not hear her message until the following Monday morning. “Don’t hesitate to call,” he told the audience. “Make a report.” On a related note, Bob Luckner, husband of SKA Vice Second President Catherine Luckner, thanked McGregor for fast response to a call he made to the Sheriff’s Office several weeks earlier. “We had a suspicious person across the street from us,” Bob Luckner explained. The house had not been occupied, so he called the nonemergency number for the Sheriff’s Office. “The [deputy] was there in 3 minutes,” Luckner continued. “Awesome,” McGregor replied. As it turned out, the person in the house was a new tenant, Luckner said. “It was a non-event, but how did we know, right?” “Those are the endings we like,” McGregor told him. Then, drawing laughter, McGregor indicated that perhaps it was not the best way for the renter to meet his new neighbors. “The deputy [who responded] was very diplomatic,” Luckner explained, declining to tell the young man who had called the Sheriff’s Office. Nonetheless, Luckner continued, he did go over and introduce himself and explain that he and his wife were concerned because they had not known the house had a new occupant. The man appeared to be a teenager, and he had long hair and a backpack, Luckner pointed out; he did not look like the usual resident in their neighborhood. At the request of an audience member, McGregor pointed out that the non-emergency Sheriff’s Office number is 316-1201. “If you’re not sure,” he added, “dial 911.” The operator will determine whether the situation qualifies as an emergency; if it is not, McGregor said, the operator still will see that the information is passed along to a deputy. He also reminded the audience

members that, in most cases, the caller may remain anonymous.

SKA membership renewals SKA board member Bob Miller reminded everyone during the Nov. 3 meeting that the organization’s annual membership drive is underway. Anyone who registered online and agreed to automatic renewals will have his or her credit card charged on Jan. 1, Miller said. If a member has begun using a different credit card since the last time he or she renewed, Second Vice President Catherine Luckner pointed out, the member should update that information on the SKA website to make sure the transaction in January occurs without a problem. For those who prefer not to conduct transactions online, however, checks are welcome, Miller pointed out. “Quite a few members have signed up already,” he added. In response to a question about the next annual meeting, Luckner said no date has been set yet. The board generally tries to schedule the session around the first part of March, she added, but not during spring break for county students. The annual meeting traditionally is held in the Community Room at St. Boniface Episcopal Church.

Siesta Key Chamber Volunteer Trolley Tour The Chamber would like to thank Siesta Trolley, Siesta Key Palms Hotel, Beach House Bungalows, Siesta Royale Apartments, Siesta Sunset Royale and Gulf & Bay Club Bayside Vacation Rentals for their hospitality in hosting 30 Chamber volunteers on their annual accommodation tour. The last stop of our tour was The Sandbox on the Beach where owners Roger and Arlene Esslinger hosted a volunteer dinner catered by Tom and Kay Kouvatsos of Village Café. Chamber volunteer accommodation tours are an invaluable means of advertising each resort’s unique features. Siesta Key Chamber volunteers field over 9000 walk ins and over 6000 phone call visitor inquiries seeking accommodation information.

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Give the Gift of Health this Holiday Season The Holidays are a time for festive gatherings, enjoying delicious food, exchanging gifts, and spending quality time with family and friends. During the holidays, peace and love is in the air as we’re overwhelmed by the energy of kindness and generosity. After all, this is the most wonderful time of the year! This holiday season, Nutritious You invites you to extend that warmhearted feel good energy beyond New Year’s Day…and even throughout the coming year. The holidays can also be a time of overwhelming stress and high anxiety. Between dealing with crowded strip malls, traffic jams, online shopping, and watching your budget, it becomes easy to reach for unhealthy convenience foods. Thankfully, Nutritious You has you covered! We offer a unique balance of nutrient dense foods with the added convenience of carryout. Stop by our shop and pick up a hand-made meal to go. We have many items on our take-out menu including pasta, burgers, pizza, taco wraps, and pad Thai. We can also accommodate special orders that are placed ahead of time on our website or called in. Everything on our menu is made from scratch using only the finest ingredients. At Nutritious You, everything we prepare is raw, vegan, organic, and gluten-free. Come try a free sample of our snacks or treats.

‘Tis the Season of Giving For the entire Holiday season, Nutritious You is offering custommade gift baskets. We have several items to choose from, allowing you to customize the gift basket to your liking. Stop by and pre-order one today!

We also have gift cards available. Give the people you love the greatest gift of all this Holiday season; the gift of health! Wishing you a healthy season of good times, good laughs, and good memories. Happy Holidays from Nutritious You! Nutritious You - 941-203-5203 Handcrafted With Love Visit us at: 6583 Midnight Pass Road www.NutritiousYou.com info@NutritiousYou.com (Advertorial)

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Several times during the Planning Commission hearing that night, Chair Jack Bispham reminded audience members that the board was not addressing the commercial part of the development. The County Commission will hear the rezoning petition on Dec. 14, spokesman Drew Winchester told SNL.

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During her presentation, Trujillo-Villa explained the exact location of the proposed

residential development. It is south of Holiday Drive and west of the county’s Bayonne Preserve. The applicants worked with the Holiday Harbor Homeowners Association, she noted, on a series of private stipulations. Representing the residents of that community, Jeffrey Stepek explained to the board that he and other members of the association spent more than a year, starting in 2005, working with the owners of the property before entering into the private agreement. It mitigates a number of concerns Holiday Harbor homeowners had regarding Cassia Cay, he added. After they were approached by the applicants for the more recent proposal, Stepek continued, it took several months to reach the agreement on Option B. If at any point one of the two development concepts proceeded without all the mitigation measures approved, he said, Holiday Harbor would withdraw its support of the project. And while the Holiday Harbor association a number

of years ago nominated the site on Little Sarasota Bay to the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program, Stepek pointed out, the money never materialized for the county to buy the land. Therefore, Holiday Harbor residents’ goal has been to ensure their privacy, safety and security, he added. Crystal Allred, a project planner for consulting firm Stantec in Sarasota, explained to the commissioners that about 75% of the residential site comprises spoil from the creation of the Intracoastal Waterway. It contains exotic trees and wetlands. The preserve next to it does have a bald eagle protection zone, she noted. Essentially, she said, Option B calls for taller buildings that were “nudged … a little further south and a little further east from the water.” During the public comments portion of the hearing, Wolf Zuller told the board, “This particular piece of land is unique. It’s the last waterfront we have that should not be built on.”

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MONTHLY MEETING Thursday, December 1 • 4:30 PM

St. Boniface Church, Community Center 5615 Midnight Pass Road

The meeting will be dedicated to the following subject: The November 30 FDEP Public Information Session, held on Nov. 30. Big Pass Dredging/Lido Beach Renourishment Project 4:30-5:45 PM public is always welcome with questions for our guests.

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941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

The Ties that Bind

|Familiar Bonds, Friendships, Holiday Pampering and More It’s the time of year for reflection, spending time with loved ones, Siesta Key vacations, reuniting with family, and taking time for YOU. During the holidays we’re finding more part-time residents making their way down, seeking solace and some much needed R&R from the stress of their daily schedules. After more than 20 years of providing massages and facials, I notice and appreciate so much those who have come to Massage Experience Siesta Key year after year. One of the most satisfying aspects of my career is cementing the bonds that have been created after so many years with so many different folks from all over the country and the world. Combining the healing touch of a massage with hot stones are the ingredients that make the magic happen. To touch and be touched in a therapeutic way is the seal that bonds that connection. During one of my pampering facials I am honored to spend this special time pampering, helping, and suggesting products specifically for each of my clients. There is an intimacy established that is not easy to describe but is equally rewarding to the giver and receiver. Most popular are the anti-aging facials that focus on plumping, toning, and brightening. Pevonia Botanica, established 25 years ago, has a flawless reputation for providing the highest standards of purity in the industry. Using only organic, non GMO ingredients, Pevonia excels in breakthrough technology that never ceases to amaze and delight both my clients and myself. It is the ONLY skin care line I offer my clients. Just released several months ago is Pevonia’s YouthRenew™ Tinted Cream SPF 30. I use it at the end of the treatment to conceal, moisturize, protect, and even out the client’s skin tone. It

surpasses standard BB and CC creams. It’s an extraordinary 5 in 1 Daily Defense Cream. This product is lightweight and ultra-hydrating. Its age-defying formula is infused with unique flash action microspheres delivering saccharides, lemon, and cucumber extracts for immediate skin brightening and optimum luminosity and is rich in collagen, vitamin C, and green olive extracts to repair lines and wrinkles. Results are visible and immediate. The extended benefits include broad spectrum SPF 30 which protects from UVA/UVB rays. Enjoying time for yourself, your family, and taking a break from your everyday life is essential for growth and well-being. It is our sincere pleasure at Massage Experience, Siesta Key to provide that bit of sanctuary during the holidays and year round. Welcome back to all of our special clients and welcome to new clients too! We are open 7-days-aweek for the season with expanded hours for your convenience. Specializing in facials, skin care, therapeutic massage, and hot stones are our focus. Appointments can be booked online and gift certificates purchased at MassageExperienceSK.com. We are located at 5138 Ocean Blvd., in the Village at Davidson’s Plaza. 941-349-4833, www.Massageexperiencesk.com (MA00017596/ MM0006727) (Advertorial)

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Connie Lewis, BS, LMT, Aesthetician and owner established Massage Experience, Siesta Key in June of 1996. She graduated from the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, Massachusetts in January of 1994, then moved to Sarasota, Florida to continue her career in massage therapy. “My personal philosophy when massaging a client for the first time, or the hundred and first time, is to let my hands ‘tell me what to do.’ After so many years of practice I have a sixth sense about pressure and what the client may need from me during the session. I listen with my hands and utilize my years of practice and personal experience to give the client the perfect session for them.”

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2016 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Winners First Place & People’s Choice

Second Place

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Sculptors’ Choice

Master sand sculptor and Sarasota resident, Brian Wigelsworth stands atop the huge sponsors sculpture that he designed for the 2016 Siesta Key Crystal Classic, International Sand Sculpting Festival. Photo by Trebor Britt

Winners: First Place / People’s Choice - Abram Waterman & Walter McDonald. Sneak Peek. Second Place - Andrius Petkus & Dmitry Klimenko. Ode to Edgar Allan Poe. Third Place - Kirk Rademaker & Matt Long. Whatever Floats Your Boat. Sculptors' Choice - Jan Zelinka & Radovan Živný. Energy of the Universe. Photos courtesy of Joye Argo - StudioF.com

What’s Happening WEEKLY BEACH CLASSES: • FREE YOGA Mon-Wed.-Fri.-Sat. 9am. Classes held between blue and green lifeguard station. Call 941320-6693 to register or go to website for more info. www.yogaonsiestabeach.com/about • NIA Tues. & Thurs., 9a.m., Siesta Public Beach (yellow lifeguard chair). Contact Kathy Oravec at 941-724-9719 for more info or check website: www.nianow.com/kathy-oravec • Siesta Key Beach Hoop Jams – (6:30pm) Every Tuesday one hour before Sunset on Siesta Key beach we gather for a community Hoop Jam. (Between the red lifeguard stand and the pavilion; around where the Sunday drum circle happens.) Register at: www.outwardspiral.net WEEKLY DRUM CIRCLE: • Every Sunday about an hour before sunset. South of the main pavilion. You can participate or watch this weekly gathering dance, hoop, play the drum or other musical instrument and enjoy the spectacular Siesta sunset. WEEKLY FARMER’S MARKET • Every Sunday from 8am – 1pm in Davidson’s Plaza in the Village. 5124 Ocean Blvd. Produce, Plants & Flowers, Music, Art, Organic Skincare, Italian Olive Oil, and Freshly Prepared Foods. Listen to live music while you shop.

November Events On The Beach… • DECEMBER 3 & 4 (SAT & SUN) 10AM-6PM: SIESTA BEACH SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL: This event is a unique blending of food, music and visual entertainment affording attendees a potpourri of delectable seafood creations and delicious drinks prepared by the top restaurants in Siesta Key and Sarasota. Combined with the mouth-watering foods will be outstanding musical performances by local and regional musicans in a diversity of genres from Scottish bagpipes and classical quartests to bands of various flavors: rockand-roll, jazz, calypso and reggae. Another component is an outdoor gallery of arts, crafts and food products. Included are painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sauces, dips, candles and a variety of other arts, crafts and products. Event admission is Free; VIP tent admission is $50. For more info, contact: admin@paragonartfest.com • DECEMBER 10 (SAT) 7-11AM/ SANDY CLAWS 5K RACE: Set a fast pace on our hard-packed worldrenowned white quartz sands or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shore. This race is sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club and chip-timed. 5K participants receive a finisher medal; 1-Mile Fun Run participants receive a ribbon. Enjoy the post-race party with music, holidaythemed costume contest, raffle prizes, holiday photo op and food and beverages. Early packet pickup party, hosted by New Balance Sarasota, 1872 Stickney Point Road, is Thursday, Dec. 8 from 3-6 p.m. To register, go to: www.active.com • DECEMBER 24 (SAT)– 5PM / CHURCH OF THE PALMS CHRISTMAS SERVICE: Casual and contemporary Christmas Eve service. Sing your favorite Christmas carols, hear scripture lessons and worship with us as the sun goes down over the water. For additional questions, call us at 941-924-1323. • JANUARY 8 (SUN): 4TH ANNUAL ANDREW MONROE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 5K WALK/RUN: 8:15am timed Run, 8:20 - 1 mile fun walk. This event was established to honor the life of Andrew Monroe. Proceeds benefit senior soccer players at Riverview High School in Sarasota. Senior, girls and

boys, soccer players have the opportunity to receive scholarships through an essay process. Deadline for reduced rate: December 22, 2016. For more information or to sign-up for the race, go to: www.andrewmonroe.com Around the island… • FREE FALL EXERCISE CLASSES: Every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. Focus will be on stretching, strengthening, toning, posture, and balance specifically for seniors. All levels are welcome. Space is limited. Call 941-870-5811 to reserve your spot. Classes will be held at Siesta Key Sports and Physical Therapy, 5147 Ocean Blvd, in the Village, next to Coldwell Banker and across from The Hub. And Beyond… • PHILLIPI ESTATE PARK: LOCATED AT: 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231. December is the perfect time to visit Phillippi Estate Park, take your holiday photos and enjoy the many amenities the park has to offer; there are shoreline trails, photo ops at the historic Keith Farmhouse porches, a playground for the kiddies, 3 fishing piers and a Gazebo to enjoy a relaxing meal. The Phillippi Farmhouse Market will be open every Wednesday in December with lots of specialty vendors featuring handcrafted pottery, garden ornaments, hand-printed table linens, all natural soaps, lotions, and essential oils, re-purposed handbags, handmade baby clothes and toys, gorgeous flowers, orchids and bonsai. The produce vendors have a wonderful abundance of local produce – so support Local Agriculture! and enjoy delicious fruits and vegetables. The market even has USDA Organic Certified produce vendors. Of course, there are also plenty of holiday baked goods as well as take home meals for a stress-free holiday. The market is open every Wednesday from 9 am until 2 pm. Every Wednesday there is a tour through the 100-yearold Edson Keith Mansion, led by a docent who is wellversed in local history. Be on the Mansion porch a few minutes before 10 a.m. and enjoy this free tour. Well-behaved dogs on leash are always welcome. For more information, please call 941-316-1309. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, please be sure to always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

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DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

News Up & Down the Trail By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

At the center of attention

General Election. More than 79,000 voters sent their ballots through the mail or voted early, according to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office. That is a 44% jump over early voting in 2012, and a 13% increase over the 2008 general election. Early voting sites were open throughout the county for 14 days, until Nov. 5.

A second roundabout sculpture is in the works downtown, and it is already drawing attention. The city’s Public Art Committee decided Nov. 1 that a sculpture by local artist Jorge Blanco should be featured at the center of the planned roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Orange Avenue downtown. The approximately 20-foot-tall, powder-coated aluminum sculpture called “BRAVO!” received the highest rank and unanimous approval among three finalists. Those finalists were chosen from among 162 submissions for the new roundabout. Although all three were praised, Blanco’s planned sculpture was described as joyful and fitting for the area of downtown, the fivemember committee agreed. The committee’s recommendation will be presented to the City Commission for final consideration this month. The three finalists each had up to 45 minutes to present in front of the Public Art Committee Nov. 1 before the advisory board made its final recommendation. In April, the city unveiled the “Embracing our Differences” sculpture in the new roundabout at Main Street and Orange Avenue. The 20-foot-tall, multicolored piece received some mixed reviews. It was the first public roundabout sculpture in the city. The sculpture, entitled “Embracing Our Differences,” fulfills a public art requirement for the recently completed Aloft hotel and One Palm condominium developments.

Food trucks

SMH retains top ranking Sarasota Memorial Hospital maintains its top grade from the federal government’s official Hospital Compare website. According to the star rating list on the federal government’s “Hospital Compare” website, Sarasota Memorial Hospital held onto the highest-tier ranking it received in July. It is one of 111 hospitals nationwide and the only one in Florida with an

Walmart is opening up another store in Sarasota early next year. The new store, a Walmart Neighborhood Market, is being built on Palmer Crossing Circle in the Palmer Crossing Plaza, just south of Clark Road, and Walmart says it will hire 95 employees. A temporary hiring center has

The Downtown Improvement District (DID) will spend the month of January honoring first responders who work in the city’s downtown. On Nov. 1, the group approved a $20,000 budget for First Responders Appreciation Month, scheduled for this January. The group plans to produce flags and buttons for downtown businesses to display throughout the month and is working on getting other folks involved in the event, meant to show local first responders — including police officers and EMS/fire personnel — that the community supports them. Officials at Sarasota Military Academy and Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences will also participate in a letter writing campaign.

More and more residents are voting early. Sarasota County set a record for early voting during this

City and union officials reach agreement Sarasota police officers and some personnel will receive retroactive raises under a new collective bargaining agreement tentatively reached with city officials. The raises will include 3 percent increases to sworn and nonsworn personnel pay for 2014 and 2015 each and a new pay schedule for criminalists, also retroactively increasing pay from 2014 forward, according to the agreement reached Nov. 7. It will be the first time since 2008 that officers have received raises, and it comes with high praise for the roughly 150 police officers serving within city limits. In exchange for the raises, the new collective bargaining agreement gives more discretion on scheduling and minimum staffing to policedepartment management. The agreement comes after a long impasse between police union and city representatives. The City Commission unanimously endorsed the plan at a special hearing lasting more than four hours.

Support for First Responders

Early Voters set record in Sarasota County

overall five stars. Star ratings for other area hospitals also remained unchanged: Englewood Community Hospital has four stars; Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Venice Regional Bayfront Health have three; and Manatee Memorial Hospital and Blake Medical Center have two. The official U.S. site Medicare. gov offers the scores to help patients compare hospitals when planning medical procedures. The rankings of 4,818 hospitals are derived from data sets refreshed quarterly that track dozens of measures of health care quality, including readmission rates, patient safety, mortality rates and patient experience.

Continued from page 8

More pleas

Two other county residents joined Jett and Walsh in urging the board to approve the changes this week. David Lough of Longboat Key identified himself as a former San Diego resident who appreciates young people’s passion for food trucks. He added that he believes the businesses “add to the vibrancy of a city.” The final speaker during the public hearing, Chris Matthews, told the board he and his wife operate a food truck. “We work 60 hours a week just to scrape by. … We spend much of our time operating outside of the county.”

Walmart to open Palmer Ranch store

been set up at 5549 Palmer Crossing Circle. The store is expected to open on Jan. 25. Store manager Dan Patt told My Suncoast ABC 7, the store will be hiring both fulland part-time associates. “We are excited to get to know applicants and start building a team to serve the Sarasota community,” Patt said.

Sarasota Schools to start earlier In Sarasota County, schools will be starting earlier in the year. The Sarasota County School Board has voted to implement an earlier start date for the next two upcoming school years, for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Last year, the Sarasota County School District was one of only three in the state to start as late as Aug.22, with the Florida Legislature allowing openings as early as Aug. 10. Yet the board members recently voted unanimously to approve the advertising of calendars for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years as proposed by an 11-member committee comprising staff, teachers and parents. The starting date for the 2017-18 school year would be Aug. 14; for the following school year, Aug. 13. Both school years would end on May 24. The board is scheduled to vote on the final versions of the school year calendars when it meets at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

County approves comp plan update Sarasota County’s Comprehensive Plan is the county’s guide map for the next decade of local growth. Sarasota County commissioners unanimously endorsed an update to that plan at the end of October. Despite some criticism about development guidelines, county leaders OK’d the updates to the existing growth management plan. Some had criticized the updates for what they feared were relaxed development regulations and reduced environmental protection. Yet county administrators and county commissioners defended the new plan and policies. The updates provide safeguards against over-development and zoning rules governing growth and daily county operations, they said. Eighteen months ago, county

Six foot Boa surprises residents Residents at the Beneva Oaks apartments in Sarasota got a big surprise just before Halloween. Neighbors discovered a 6-footlong boa constrictor slithering near the front entrance on Oct. 27. Riled up and upset, this boa constrictor didn’t like it when Sarasota Police Officer Brian Lundstrum tried to round him up. It snapped several times, and tried to slither away. The snake tried to bite, and at times hissed, as the officer tried to corner it, according to a news account at News Channel 8. But the officer was finally successful in subduing the suspect by pinning the snake’s head with his baton. The snake was taken to Sarasota County Sheriff Animal Services. Police officials hoped someone would claim it.

Punta Gorda Airport gets new service Frontier Airlines started new nonstop service from Punta Gorda Airport to Philadelphia, Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, New Jersey. The service is a second, low-cost carrier added to the Allegiant service at Punta Gorda Airport. Punta Gorda Airport, which didn’t even have commercial service a decade ago, has boomed in recent years with more than 30 percent annual growth.

Blooming this month POINSETTIAS

Board comments

“It might not be exactly what everybody wants,” Vice Chair Caragiulo said of the revised ordinance, “but … it is a substantial improvement to the regulatory environment we have with food trucks.” Commissioner Robinson pointed out that the board was not trying to protect people from professionals in the business, but from “the new guy.” Referring to the public comments, she added, “Maybe we’ll learn that there are some things [in the ordinance] that we can do away with.”

staff began the undertaking to bring the plan up to date. In addition to reflecting present conditions in the county’s policies, staff also sought to simplify the technical document for the public’s use. The result is a two-volume document more than 1,300 pages long.

The familiar red poinsettias which are a favorite flower for the holiday season every year grow well in this area, given the proper care.

The bright red petals are actually leaves in the top of the plant; they surround the actual flowers, which are yellow or green and accent the center of the display. Natives of Mexico, they bloom in late December in the semi-tropical climate. They can be grown here after the holidays by simply planting the individual plants in the ground, after making sure the soil is rich but has a lot of sand in it – and be sure to keep the soil fairly moist. This works well sometimes but fails sometimes, too. However, the most pleasure comes from making cuttings from branches of the mother plant and rooting them in pots. The soil should be rich potting soil mixed with clean sand and kelp, slightly moist. They thrive in high heat and humidity, but they need dark nights in the late Fall for nearly two months, for flower bracts to develop. Remember, not every cutting will survive, but many will do well. It is a true delight to grow your own plants to be given as gifts that will be happily received. Have fun! Submitted by Jan Johannesen, Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-955-0875.

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

Grand Opening!

Shopping Made Easy 10 AM - 7 PM, Seven Days A Week

4420 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 941.260.8905

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Off Key

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By Robert Frederickson

|From Trump’s Key Sweep to Media’s Big Sleep Majority of Island Voters Supported Trump Although there is an assumption by many in-landers that folks here do at least lean a bit to the left of center in their politics, voters on Siesta Key supported president elect Trump by essentially the same margin as those voting throughout the rest of Sarasota County. So this notion just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny...at least not in terms of recent elections. Precinct 401 on the north end of the island gave Trump a 52.4 percent to 41.9 majority over Clinton. To the west from the village east to the bay, precinct 403 had Trump at 50.9 percent and Clinton at 46.7. This was the former secretary of state’s best showing on the key. The island’s largest precinct, 411, had Trump’s biggest margin of victory at 55.2 to Clinton’s 40.7. South of Stickney Point, precinct 421 had Trump at 52.1 percent with 42.3 percent preferring Clinton. Adding up the results for the four precincts, the total for the Key was 53.6 percent Trump, 42.4 percent Clinton, nearly identical to the countywide margin of 53.7 percent Trump, 42.3 percent Clinton. Interestingly, despite her loss, Clinton actually outperformed President Obama’s showing four years ago when the current president garnered just 38.5 percent of the vote on the key in his race against Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Unfortunately for her campaign, that was not the case in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio, where Trump flipped the vote this time around.

From Hot Pursuit to Salvation in the Blink of an Eye A Pasco county man decided to make a run for it after getting pulled over by the cops one moonless night recently. After coming to a rolling stop, he ran into some nearby woods, not knowing there was a canal just beyond. Unable to swim, this story was mere moments from a bad ending

when his pursuers caught up with him, heard him thrashing about, jumped in and rescued him just before he was about to go under for the third time. So why did he run? Outstanding warrants? Contraband in his vehicle? Nope. He told his saviors it was because he didn’t have his license with him.

Say it Ain’t So, Joe... Disney Company stock has been under pressure most of this year, even as the overall market has reached new all-time highs. Part of the reason was revealed recently when Nielsen Ratings reported that Disney’s ESPN cable sports network lost 621,000 cable subscribers last month alone, its worst performance ever. ESPN disputed the results and Nielsen temporarily retracted them while it conducted a review. On November 5th they reported that their initial findings were in fact correct and that the company would in fact stand by them. Changing viewer trends have certainly contributed to subscriber flight, but so too has the network’s shifting coverage, which has increasingly come to emphasize not events on the field of play but instead broader off-field social issues like SF 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernik’s decision to sit out performances of the national anthem before games, or Bucs’ receiver Mike Evans’ similar ploy - on Military Appreciation Day no less - to protest Trump’s election, despite, media reports he didn’t even bother to vote. (Way to go Mike, that’s a real good look. Though to his credit he apologized to fans a few days later after reconsidering his short-lived protest). N FL viewer sh ip is down as well this season, likely for similar reasons. You’d think those involved in broadcasting and covering sports would realize that much of the attraction they offer is as an escape from the problems that can’t be avoided in our daily, public lives. When sports as a sanctuary is undermined by being opened up to the same political and social divides we face everywhere else these days,

fans understandably lose interest and sadly, the country loses one of the few public pursuits that has historically united us: rooting together for the home team.

The Real Big Loser in this Election… The goat in this election cycle was the media with its clear - and incredibly - ‘admitted’ - lack of candor in trying to shape the outcome of the race. In the minds of a majority of voters, this ‘finger-onthe-scale’ approach to journalism proved to be an unintended (and ultimately ironic) validation of the very candidate these geniuses in the media were trying to defeat. Successful societies depend on fairness to flourish; as social beings we are hard-wired to recognize situations where such fairness is lacking. It is nothing less than a survival instinct that has been refined over 200,000 years of human evolution. So it is not unlikely that many of those who voted for Trump did so at least in part in response to the media’s one-sided coverage. It reminds me of a football anecdote related to the longtime football rivalry between The University of Kansas Jayhawks and The Missouri Tigers, a rivalry that didn’t even start on the football field, but instead dates back to pre-Civil War days when Kansas was a free territory and Missouri was a slave state. Even the mascots of the two programs harken back to those days and the animosity of the border wars: ‘Jayhawkers’ were bands of anti-slave Kansans who would carry out raids against pro-slavery landowners across the border; and Missouri ‘Tigers’ were members of a home guard that would reply in kind with forays into Kansas to exact retribution. Those scars run deep. Describing the modern football rivalry, one Missouri woman told a reporter on one crisp fall afternoon when the two teams were playing different opponents, “I’d rather see them lose than us win.” That sentiment probably describes the reaction of many Trump voters toward the media.

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DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

VILLAGE MAP pgs 24 - 25

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 46

GULF GATE SHOPS pgs 28 - 29

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 26

LOCAL MAPS INSIDE

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 30

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

Siesta Key Drum Circle Before You Leave... If you have any non-perishable food items that have not been opened, the Siesta Key Chamber, located at 5114 Ocean Blvd, in the Village at the Davidson Plaza along with St. Michael’s Parish, located at 5394 Midnight Pass Road will gladly take these items and pass them on to the less fortunate in the Sarasota area. Chamber hours for items to be dropped off are as follows: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For instructions on after hour drop-offs, please contact the Chamber office at 941-349-3800. St. Michael’s hours for items to be dropped off are as follows: Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – Noon and again from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. – Noon. If you are dropping off items after hours, please leave any items at the front door of the parish office. For any additional questions, please contact the office at 941-349-4174.

Every Sunday is a perfect time to come to the Key to reconnect with Mother Nature and to enjoy some wonderful entertainment. I’m talking about the Siesta Key Drum Circle that takes place each Sunday starting about an hour before sunset and lasting until about 10 p.m. The gathering meets up just south of the main pavilion - just follow your ears and watch for the swelling crowd. Please note the following rules of etiquette that need to be observed at the Drum Circle so that all can enjoy the experience: the inside of the drum circle is

for participants only, not for people standing around. Feel free to enter the circle, take a picture and dance, but always keep moving. Never play someone’s drum without getting clearance from the owner. Always ask before borrowing other people’s property, especially hula hoops. Flash photography and bright video lights are distracting, so photograph during daylight or use a night vision camera. And finally, please do not drink alcohol or smoke inside the circle and respect our beach by placing all trash in the appropriate receptacles. Photo Courtesy of Art Legault.

Before you leave Sarasota, you must try this one! As seen on the Food Network Guy Fieri’s “Diner’s, Drive-In’s and Dive’s” show. The TurDucKen “One big bird” Boneless chicken stuffed in a boneless duck stuffed in a boneless turkey with a variety of great seasonings. Alpine Steakhouse just off of Siesta Key located between the bridges at 4520 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-922-3797

Lunch Turducken Sandwich $8.95 and Dinner Turducken $18.95 w/mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

Boulevard Buzz

941.349.0194

Continued from page 13

Additionally, signs facing southbound drivers on Higel warned that traffic would be narrowed to one lane. Fortunately, I made it to the 8:30 a.m. Siesta Key Village Association meeting in a timely fashion. However, following that session and some checking of various and sundry news-related matters, I found myself in line behind three other vehicles headed northbound toward the mainland. The green light we were staring at on the traffic signal might as well have been an illusion. Finally, the lead northbound vehicle and then the one behind it turned right onto Midnight Pass Road. As I peered around the car that was still in front of me, all I could see was that the southbound traffic on Higel was not blocked, but it showed no signs of preparing to move soon. Vehicles also were starting to stack on Midnight Pass Road, as their turn onto northbound Higel was blocked.

NOTICE: Looking for the Village Barber? For those that have enjoyed the cuts and comradery at The Village Barber over the years, you can still continue to see Scott at his new location. In July 2015 Scott Reich announced moving out of the Village and off the Key. Reich and his stepfather Pete Sparks had been servicing patrons in the Village for the past 20 years. The Siesta Center was sold and the new ownership of the Ocean Blvd building wasn’t quite meeting up to expectations he and Sparks had of the new landlord. Sparks announced his retirement and Reich announced a move to The Shop SRQ at 6625 Gateway Ave. in Gulf Gate. You can reach Scott Reich at 941-346-0222. His hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tues – Fri, and Sat from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.SiestaKeyBarbershop.com

I was lucky to be able to “escape” onto Midnight Pass Road, too, and head off the south end of the island. After a source later suggested that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was working on the sidewalks in that vicinity, SNL checked with FDOT District One spokesman Robin Stublen in Bartow, who said no documents he had on file for Sarasota County showed such a project on north Siesta Key. About 20 minutes later, county spokesman Drew Winchester sent the SNL an email. “Our capital projects division manager checked with FDOT regarding your inquiry,” he wrote, “and received the following” from a maintenance manager for the department in Bradenton: “We have had a contractor doing sidewalk work on Siesta.” SNL contacted FDOT Robin Stublen again the next day to follow up on that, providing him the name of the FDOT manager in Manatee County who had communicated with county staff. It turns out the sidewalk project began on Oct. 4. Stublen said it was completed on the morning of Nov. 2. He provided the official press release, which, SNL inferred, had not been filed appropriately in Stublen’s records. Officially, the sidewalk repair project was scheduled between Higel Avenue and Beach Road, the release says. “Pedestrians can expect some nighttime sidewalk closures, and detours will be in place during repairs,” the release

S I M P LY R AWSO M E ! St Armands

St Armands 325John JohnRingling RinglingBlvd Blvd 325 Sarasota, Sarasota, FL FL 34236 34236 941-388-3325 941-388-3325

Map B #42

Siesta Key

Island of Venice 5250 Ocean Blvd 300 West Venice Ave Venice, FL Sarasota, FL34285 34242 941-488-0649 941-349-8697

Island of Venice Siesta Key 300 WestOcean VeniceBlvd Ave 5250 Sarasota, 34242 Venice, FLFL34285 941-349-8697 941-488-0649

Delicious Daiquiris, Seafood and So Much More! Find current specials and promotions at DaiquiriDeck.com

Find current specials and promotions at DaiquiriDeck.com

Map C #61

ACCOMMODATIONS Siesta Beach Resort ..................... Map-A #38A ANTIQUES Relics on the Key .............................. Map-D #9 ART GALLERY / STUDIO Calle Studios ...................................... Map-B #32 The Gallery on Siesta Key ................Map-D #11 ATM / BANKS PNC ATM........................................... Map-C #61 Martin Funding ................................... Map-E #1 Sun Trust Bank & ATM ...................... Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blaśe Bistro .........................................Map-A #38 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 COFFEE SHOPS Lelu’s Coffee Lounge ...................... Map-B #31 The Local Bean................................. Map-D #62 DRUGSTORE Davidson’s Drugs............................ Map-D #65 FASHION & ACCESSORIES Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack........Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear ................................ Map-B #30 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More........ Map-D #64 Everything But Water .......................Map-D #12 Foxy Lady Fashions ..........................Map-A #40 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions ........... Map-B #44 Island Boutique.................................. Map-B #50 Island Cotton Company ................... Map-C #29 Island Style ......................................... Map-C #53 Lotus Boutique ..................................Map-D #66 Siesta Key Mermaids ..........................Map-D #9 Siesta T’s ............................................. Map-B #30 The Sea Shanty................................... Map-C #24 GAS STATION Circle K Store ....................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar .....................................Map-C #28 Island Trader...................................... Map-C #51 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 Kids .......................................... Map-B #36 HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ...............Map-D #10 Siesta Key Fitness ............................ Map-B #73 ICE CREAM/TREATS Big Olaf Creamery............................. Map-C #52 Ciao Gelato ......................................... Map-C #50 Meany’s Mini Donuts ....................... Map-C #24 SubZero Ice Cream/Yogurt .............Map-D #16 Sunni Bunni Frozen Yogurt ............. Map-C #53 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-D #9 LIQUOR STORES / FINE WINES Gabbiano’s Wine Club................... Map-D #70 Gilligan’s ........................................... Map-B #33 Siesta Key Wines ..............................Map-C #61 Siesta Village Liquors ....................Map-C #26 The Beach Club ..................................Map-D #22

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added. The release also advised motorists to use caution in the wo zone, but it did not say they might be faced with long delays

New ‘armrests’

During his report to SKVA members on Nov. 1, Micha Shay — the Maintenance Corp. liaison — pointed out that ne arms had been installed on the benches in the Village gazeb “that would not be that visible from the street.” Regular readers will recall that SKVA members were fretf

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DECEMBER 2016

about tourism after several homeless individuals began sleeping in the gazebo in August. Thanks to efforts by the Sheriff’s Office to make certain the homeless people knew what types of assistance was available to them, the problem ceased. However, during the August SKVA meeting, Shay and Vice President Smith — a leader of the Maintenance Corp. — talked of the possibility of discouraging sleeping on the benches by adding the arms. As for the rest of his report: Everything with Buccaneer Landscape Management — which handles the Village upkeep under contract with Sarasota County — has been going smoothly, Shay said. On one other note, Shay did mention that the Maintenance Corp. needs to decide whether to plant another palm in place of the one destroyed in the traffic island just south of the Village in August. A driver who suddenly sped up and plowed into that island with her BMW destroyed signs, tore the tree in half and damaged the plantings. “It’s recovered pretty nicely,” Lisa Cece, special district coordinator for the county who supervises Village maintenance issues, pointed out. However, she added, it was up to the Maintenance Corp. to decide whether it wanted to make any changes. The island is almost directly across from Beach Access 5.

Givens glitches As the past president of the Siesta Key Association (SKA), Michael Shay also has been the steward of a project to warn drivers about the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Givens

Street on a curve just north of Siesta Village. After Shay worked with county staff to get flashing beacons installed for both northbound and southbound traffic, he encountered a couple of glitches. First, a dead battery in the northbound beacon had to be replaced. Then Shay noticed another issue. On Oct. 19, he emailed county staff — pointing out right away that he was not trying to be a pain in, well, a certain part of their anatomies. Nonetheless, he continued, “Driving northbound out of the Village this morning at 0845, he saw the blinking beacon does not come into the driver’s line of sight until just 5 car lengths before the sign. Kinda think that some tree cutting on that stretch of Ocean Blvd is necessary. Comments please.... thanks much....mts” A county staffer, Mark Richmond, agreed, adding that he had driven that stretch himself a few days earlier. Trimming would be taking place soon, Richmond added. When this reporter drove along Ocean Boulevard on the morning of Nov. 1 — to and from the SKVA meeting — both beacons were flashing. Shay informed me, he has been most appreciative of the fast county responses.

Another Shell Road concern A reader notified the Siesta Sand recently that she was concerned about plantings she had seen on North Shell Road, near the beach access. She was afraid a private property owner was encroaching on public property.

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

After this reporter relayed her concerns to the county, spokesman Drew Winchester reported on Oct. 18 that staff had visited the beach access that day to inspect the situation. Winchester added, “It was determined the recent improvements are not within the limits of the county right-of-way, per Mark Loveridge.” Loveridge is the county’s land development manager.

A new daytime deputy During his November report to SKVA members, Sgt. Jason Mruczek said he knew of “no real crime trends or problems around here.” Mruczek did introduce a deputy who will be moving to the day shift after several years of working nights on the Key: Mike Schermock. “I hope you kept your sunglasses,” SKVA Vice President Mark Smith told Schermock. “I have ’em,” Schermock readily replied.

SKVA Celebration of 40 Years The Final SKVA General Meeting and Happy Hour will be held at the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar on Wednesday, December 7 from 6-9 P.M. We would like to thank all active SKVA members for the last 40+ years of support and involvement. If you are in current good standing with the SK Village Association, please join us for a few hours of friendship and appreciation.

• segway rentals • PaDDleBOarDs • scOOter cars • kayak tOurs/rentals • Bikes • scOOters Map B #34 • 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 Circle K Store ....................................... Map-E #6 Morton’s Siesta Market .................... Map-C #25 MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage .................. Map-B #35 Massage Experience Siesta Key.... Map-D #62 Massage Therapy ................................ Map-E #1 Siesta Key Massage Ctr .................... Map-D #9 MEDICAL - DENTAL Siesta Medical Center..................... Map-D #63 Siesta Key Physical Therapy............Map-D #20 Siesta Dental ..................................... Map-B #49 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce ....................Map-D #67 Roberti Enterprises ...........................Map-A #39 Tarot Card Reading & Gifts ............. Map-B #50 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Edward Jones Investments ............ Map-D #68 Smith Architects ...................................Map-E 74 REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Ascendia Real Estate .........................Map-D #11 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 Waterfront 7 Realty ........................... Map-C #56 Waterside Realty ............................... Map-C #29 RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg ................Map-C #54 & 55 Blasé Bistro .........................................Map-A #38 Blasé Pizza & Craft Beer ....................Map-A#37 Bonjour French Cafe ......................... Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano ................................. Map-D #71 Cevi-Chela ..........................................Map-D #69 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 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 Siesta Key Deli ...................................Map-A #37 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 The Hub - Baja Grill ..........................Map-D #59 Village Café ...................................... Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY LaPlaya Spa ........................................ Map-C #50 Salon Capelli ........................................Map-D #9 Sassy Hair Salon ................................Map-A #40 Siesta Key Nails................................. Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/RENTALS CaliFlorida.......................................... Map-B #32 Robin Hood Rentals ........................ Map-B #34 Siesta Village Outfitters .................... Map-C #53

Map D #64

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Map D #11

THE LOCAL BEAN • Internet Café • Coffee Shop • Tea Room 5138 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

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Map D #62

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Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

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 / BAKERIES A Taste of Germany ............................... C-3#14 Anna’s Deli & Sandwiches ................. C-3 #14 Nutritious You ....................................... C-3 #14 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery .....B-3 #1 DRUG STORES Davidson’s Drugs.................................. C-3 #14 FASHION & ACCESSORIES CB’s Island Outfitters ............................. A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters ....................... A-3 #4 Coconuts Fashion .....................................B-3 #1 Coconuts / Island Colors .........................B-3 #8

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CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

Green Turtle Swimwear ........................ C-3 #14 Key Casual Fashions .............................. D-3 #17 Things You Like ..................................... C-3 #14 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs ............................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts ................ C-3 #14 The Silversmith ...................................... D-3 #17 Silver City Jewelry ................................. C-3 #14 HEALTH & BEAUTY Siesta Key Salon & Spa .......................... D-3 #17 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-3 #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-3 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery ..........................B-3 #1 MISCELLANEOUS Moving & Storage ...................................B-3 #10 Flowers by Fudgie.................................. D-3 #17 REAL ESTATE / RENTALS Homes & Condo Rentals ....................... D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands ...........................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent ........................................... C-3 #14 RESTAURANTS / CAFES A Taste of Germany ............................... C-3#14

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Big Water Fish Market ...............................C-3 #17 Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill..............A-5 #12 Capt. Curts Crab & Oyster Bar ................B-3 #7

City Pizza Italian Restaurant ................ D-3 #17 Clayton’s Siesta Grille ..............................B-3 #9 Toasted Mango Cafe .............................. C-3 #17 Miguel’s Restaurant ............................... C-3 #17 Munchies ................................................. C-3 #17 WATER SPORTS - FISHING - RENTALS A to Z Beach & Bike Rentals ................. A-5 #12 CB’s Island Outfitters ............................. A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters ....................... A-3 #4 Parasail Siesta ........................................... A-3 #2 Siesta Key Bike & Kayak .......................B-3 #8 Siesta Key Marina .................................... A-4 #5 Siesta Sports Rentals .............................. A-3 #2 Siesta Sports Rentals ............................ C-3 #14 Waves Boat & Social Club..................... A-5 #12

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Map C-3 #14

Map B-3#8

A Taste of Germany 6575 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-5 #12

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

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Arts on the Horizon

A young one visiting - or living with you? December is a wonderful month - a time to do for the young ones. And the best way to do that is to show them how much you care. Of course, how much they weigh is in direct correlation with how you show your careingness. If they weigh less than 85 pounds, a sure bet is to take them north for a wonderful treat. No, not to the North Pole to watch the minimumwage elves compete with China in producing all the outsourced toys that our children don’t need, but to Bradenton. Bradenton? Yes, Bradenton - to see the Manatee Players production of Beauty and the Beast. Now, just because their web site gives the plot as follows: “An arrogant young prince {Trump} and his castle’s servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress {Hillary}, who turns him into the hideous Beast....” does not mean this is a politically oriented show - November 8th is so last month. Rather, it is the Disneyfied version of the old French fairy tale originally written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot (it is said by university professors, who must publish or perish, that the basis of the story goes back 4,000 years). Rick Kerby, the artistic director of the Manatee Players, does not speak ancient Greek, so has decided to go with the most current version of this tale. In a way, Beauty and the Beast is very much the tale of a Cinderella a not too well-to-do young maiden, two evil sisters, and a prince. Except this time it is a tale of redemption rather than that of an aristocrat with a shoe fetish. Why pay royalties to put on the Disney

DECEMBER 2016

Is your loved one or friend, one of a kind? Of course, that is why he/she is so special. And what present does this unique person deserve this holiday season? That’s right, a one of a kind, unique, special treat. Ah, but where to find this special treasure? Or better still, a panoply of treasures for all of your special friends? Something done by hand is always a great way to show you care and the Sarasota Craft Show at Robarts Arena will feature exceptional works in ceramics, decorative fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed-media, paper, wearable art, wood, painting, photography and sculpture, by more than 100 of the nation’s top artists, including 20 from around Sarasota. One always wonders where the artists get the wood for their turned and carved items. It’s nice to think “If only I could find wood like that, I too could make a

iday Gift Perfect Hol

museum quality piece, just like the ones they do.” - but one should not dream and drive at the same time. All of this may sound like a lot to choose from, but, of course, that is the point. Naturally there is danger in having this many exceptional items in one place, and that is that you will want to buy two of everything - one for each special friend and one of each for yourself. The problem is that with these being hand-crafted, they are truly unique. But you, also being special, will find something that will be uniquely you, which you can buy as well. Or bring a friend so that they can buy it for you. The group putting on this show, schedules five per year. One is in Washington, D.C., two are in the Berkshires and one is at the Brooklyn Museum. This is the only one this holiday season, so we can consider ourselves lucky that we can view these fine items without springing for a plane ticket. Dates: On December 2nd, 3rd and 4th the Sarasota Craft Show will be at Robarts Arena at 3000 Ringling Blvd, just south of Fruitville Road, east of Tuttle. Show times are 10 am - 5 pm on Friday and Saturday and till 4 pm on Sunday. To preview some of the participating artists go to the bottom left of the home page at Sarasotacraftshow.com.

Shows for young ones are great, but........ Is it time to rest and relax, if one can do that during the holiday season, with a little music? A great idea. To kickstart the festivities, an evening of The Sounds of Christmas performed by the Belle Canto Singers sounds just about right - as they always do. This is an acapella group of about twenty from here is Sarasota that will be performing on December 10th at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center (all groups mentioned here will be at the Glenridge). Moving from a cool Yule to cool jazz will be jazz guitarist Nate Najar. After finishing a gig at the Iridium in New York, and before playing at the North Carolina Jazz Festival, Nate will bring his quartet (James Suggs on trumpet, John Lamb on bass and Mark Feinman on drums), along with Dan Levinson

Hunter & Doe

Louise Pitre on clarinet and featuring vocalist Molly Ryan, for Nate Najar’s Jazz Holiday (now in its 11th year). They will be playing great standards along with (hopefully) some original compositions on the evening of December 16th. While his playing may be electrifying, his guitar is acoustic. Back-toback with Mr. Najar will be the Pine View Jazz Band on Dec. 17th. This small band will be bringing their big band charts to produce a big band sound in this intimate auditorium. Moving past New Year’s Eve brings us to January 4th when Louise Pitre brings her show, Chasing Rainbows - The Music of Judy Garland, to Sarasota. Ms. Pitre, Canada’s first lady of musical theatre, received a Tony Award nomination for her role as Donna in the Broadway

Venice Performing Arts Center JAN 27-28, St. Pete The Mahaffey Theater

FEB 7-8, Lakeland The Lakeland Center

Tickets: ShenYun.com/FL 888.974.3698

production of Mama Mia! and will bring that verve with her. A bit more than a week later (Jan. 13) there will be another Canadian invasion. This time it will be a really explosive duo - Hunter & Doe (not their real names) - who previously performed together in the Tony/Grammy award winning musical Once. They will be melding their love of Celtic folk and soul/jazz/pop as they dance, play (violin & guitar), and sing. Planning ahead to later in January and like contemporary folk music. Try Wild Carrot on January 17th. The Glenridge is a small comfortable gem of a performance venue on 7333 Scotland Way. Take Honoré Road south from Clark Road and Scotland Way is on the left. Tickets and more information at (941) 552-5325.

A Remarkable Gift

HINA’S 5,000-year old legacy of heroes, myths, legends, and moral principles still move the heart and the soul today. The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts brings the essence of traditional Chinese culture to life on stages around the world. Gorgeous backdrops transport the audience to distant lands and eras. The orchestra combines Western and Chinese instruments in a unique and beautiful harmony, accompanying the dancers with stirring scores. Dances tell the stories of the key moments in the history of China’s culture; the costumes and backdrop recreate each dynasty and region; powerful singers tell of the longings of millennia. Shen Yun bridges past and present in an uplifting, inspiring, and unforgettable performance. Come and experience Shen Yun in cities throughout Florida from JAN 3 to FEB 12.

“This was wonderful—just in every way. It was so artistic. Everything was exactly as it should have been. It was perfection.”

FEB 10-12, Venice

Nate Najar

Shen yun

Must See at Least Once in Your Lifetime

WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

By Rodger Skidmore

production instead of just adapting the original, out of copyright, version? Strong reasons are the wonderful music and beautiful songs. This was the Frozen of the 1990s and well worth introducing our children and grand-children to - and for us to see with them. Kerby has scheduled the production for December 1st through the 18th, at Stone Hall, within the Manatee Performing Arts Center complex, (Wednesday and Thursday performances are at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and weekend matinees as 2:00 pm). With this schedule everyone will have plenty of time to plan their trip to this riverfront venue and to get their tickets on the web at Manateeperformingartscenter.com or via phone at (941) 748-5875.

ALL-NEW 2017 SHOW

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

- Dale Rieth, board member of Sarasota Ballet, attended 2016 show in Venice

“Absolutely marvelous. Very enchanting. Very spiritual, uplifting. It made me feel very enlightened and enriched.” - Reann Marchelle, a retired ballerina, attended 2012 show in Tampa

“It’s fascinating, and it’s more diverse than I expected. It’s ancient, it’s modern—it’s really beautiful... I’m going to insist that certain friends have to come, just to discover what they don’t know.” — Michael Phillips, Academy-Award winning film producer

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

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G-39 (Upper) JANE FIDALGO ART STUDIO G-40 KIYOSHI’S SHUSI G-41 AIKO’S ALTERATIONS G-42 DETAILS SALON G-43 HEAVENLY CUPCAKES G-44 JUST A BASKET CASE G-45 THE CLEVER CUP COFFEE SHOP G-46 LUCKY LOCKS PET STUDIO G-47 SUNCOAST LASER G-48 (6518) PICCOLO’S ITALIAN MARKET & DELI G-49 GULF GATE FRAME CENTER G-50 WEST END PUB

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G12 G11 G10 G9 G8 G7 G6 G5 G4 G3 G2 G1

G24

S29 S28 S27 S26 S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 S19 S18 S17 S16 S15 S14 S13 S12 S11 S10 S9 S8 S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S1

Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

SATURDAY, DEC 17 FROM 10AM – 5PM.

2176 Gulf Gate Dr | 941-388-7819 | bohocottagemarket.com

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G14 G13

S30

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G16 G15

GG1 GG2 GG3 GG4 GG5 GG6 GG7 GG8 GG9 GG10 GG11 GG12 GG13 GG14 GG15 GG16 GG17 GG18 GG19 GG20 GG21 GG22 GG23 GG24 GG25 GG26 GG27 GG28 GG29 GG30 GG31 GG32 GG33 GG34 GG35 GG36 GG37 GG38 GG39 GG40 GG41 GG42 GG43 GG44 GG45 GG46 GG47 GG48 GG49 GG50 GG51 GG52 GG53 GG54

941-923-9827

XNLV13200

2639 Mall Drive One mi.from Siesta South Bridge (behind Publix)

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Sunday thru Wednesday

S59 S58 S57 S56 S55 S54 S53 S52 S51 S50 S49 S48 S47 S46 S45 S44 S43 S42 S41 S40 S39 S38 S37 S36 S35 S34 S33 S32 S31

G23 G22 G21 G20 G19 G18 G17

Superior Avenue

Marshall’s

• 9 AM - 7 PM EVERY DAY

Mall Mall Drive Drive

G50 G49 G48 G47 G46 G45 G44 G43 G42 G41 G40 G39 G38 G37 G36 G35 G34 G33 G32 G31 G30 G29 G28 G27 G26 G25

Gateway Avenue

All packaged liquor sold until 2 AM

Open Daily from 9 AM ‘til 2:30 AM

Stein Mart

M22 M21 M20 M19 M18 M17 M16 M15 M14 M13 M12 M11 M10 M9 M8

M5 M4 M3 M2 M1

GULF GATE VILLAGE HOLIDAY SHOPPING DAY NATURAL + ORGANIC PRODUCTS HEALTH + WELLNESS CLASSES YOGA + MOVEMENT STUDIO 6557 SUPERIOR AVENUE • SARASOTA, FL • 34231

941.312.5630 • WILDGINGERAPOTHECARY.COM

Great coffee & first class service!

•Organic, Fair Trade Coffee •Specialty Espresso Drinks •Delicious Bakery Items •Free Wiﬁ •Gifts, Jewelry and More 6530 Gateway Ave

941-806-5909

theclevercup.com

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE Wild Ginger Apothecary

The Clever Cup

These Quiet Sounds

Sarasota Pavilion is a popular shopping destination for numerous locals and visitors alike. Its prime location is close enough to the island for frequent trips with a nice selection of chain stores set in one convenient location. But what truly lends to the uniqueness of this district is the host of small, locally owned, specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants and neighborhood bars bordering this pavilion. It makes for a fun and rewarding shopping experience. Over 150 businesses make up this district. This section helps highlight what you’ll find within this walkable Gulf Gate shopping Village. 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. Chef Urbano is offering an early dinner special from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Buy one entrée and receive the second entrée of equal or lesser value for half the price. Piccolos Italian Market & Deli (G-47) carries a full line of imported cheeses, fresh baked

G-4

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. 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 mouth watering

The smoked chicken wings are unbelievable. Backed up with the pulled pork sandwiches, the smoked bologna, the smoked Turkey, the collard greens, fried corn on the cob, fried okra, fried green tomatoes and one of the best mac ‘n cheese you ever tasted. We do catering no limited to the size of the group. Come in and follow your nose to 6616 Superior Ave, Sarasota FL 34231. Call (941)9260099. See you soon.

Boho Cottage Market

Mr. Beery’s

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. 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. Hurricane Mike’s Saloon (M-10) is a little neighborhood bar at 2639 Mall Drive, where everyone knows your name type of establishment and friendly staff. TV’s with the MLB and NFL packages, pool table, and full Florida Lottery games. Happy hour daily from opening to 7pm. Hours: Mon – Sat, 8am – 2:30am and Sun., noon – 2:30am. The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach to grooming with a precise attention to personal detail. Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. – Fri. 8:30am – 6pm, Sat., 8:30am – 3pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. 6625 Gateway Ave, 941-626-4894. At the original Word of Mouth Restaurant (G-31), every seemingly insignificant detail receives special

attention from the warm, inviting decor to each specially crafted variety of freshly baked muffins to the signature menu items. This small diner is where the locals come to eat breakfast and lunch. Each staff member works hard to make sure you receive the best service and quality food so you’ll want to return often. Take a look at their mouth-watering menu at www.originalwordofmouth.com. Hours: Mon-Sun.: 8AM-2PM. 6604 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, 34231, 941-925-2400. Pride of the South (S-34) has been awarded Top Barbeque in Sarasota for 2016 by Trip Advisor and Yelp. It has been awarded for the best Southern Hospitality. Pride of the South has a brisket BLT, hands down, one of the best sandwiches you ever tasted.

SRQ

G-31

Eat Where The Locals Eat! Original Word of Mouth 6604 Gateway Ave. Sarasota, FL 34231

941-925-2400

HOURS: Monday - Sunday 8:00AM to 2PM www.originalwordofmouth.com

THESHOPSRQINC.

G-2

Flat-Tops, Fades, Tapers, Blowouts and Razor Cuts

“Straight Razor Shaves”

Combined 25+ Years Experience

941.626.4894 / 941.536.1656

Tonsorial Artistry by

www.TheShopSRQ.com 6625 Gateway Ave.

Tonsorial Artistry by Erick & Dawn

Open Tues.-Fri. 8:30 AM-6 PM Sat. 8:30 AM - 3 PM Closed Sun. & Mon.

PICCOLO

Italian Market & Deli GG-4

Hot or Cold & Vegetarian Sandwiches

Authentic New York Italian Market & Deli We carry a full line of Imported Cheeses, Boars Head Luncheon Meats, Pasta, Olive Oil, Assorted Imported Olives, Khorasan Wheat (ancient & organic grain), and more. GG-46 G-47 Specialty Italian gourmet items without the gourmet price

Come See Our New Location Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am - 6pm 6518 Gateway Ave.

941-923-2202

www.PiccoloMarket.com

S-16 S-34

Catering Available

We Put the South in Your Mouth 6616 Superior Ave. Sarasota

941.926.0099

COUPON

FREE SIDE With the purchase of ANY entreé

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

941.349.0194

Who’s Playing Tonight

By Mike Sales

Sara Nelms

|An interview with Sara Nelms I first heard about Sara when she started playing poolside at the Best Western Plus, Siesta Key Gateway on Friday nights. Other than the excellent performances on her “Lover, No Longer” album, I didn’t hear too much more about her until this interview, so I was pleasantly surprised and quite fascinated by the depth to which she’s built her career and the fact that she’s just getting started…

Sara: I moved to Nashville after college where I started writing and singing Country music…it’s also where I started gigging. I’d thought I was going to go up there, be a diva and just sing, but Nashville is a songwriting town. I went to open mics and networked with some incredible musicians who collaborated to put my lyrics and melodies to music. Now I prefer to sing my own songs.

WPT: Where are you from? Sara: Florida…I moved around a lot but I’ll claim Brandon because I went to high school there.

WPT: How many originals do you do at your gigs? Sara: It depends on the gig. If it’s a cover gig for the money, I still manage to work quite a few originals into the set, but I do primarily original gigs too.

WPT: When did you first start playing music? Sara: I started singing in choirs in elementary school and expanded from there; getting involved with musical theater along the way and then I studied voice in college.

WPT: Where is a good place to go hear original performances around here? Sara: Actually, the “Cock N Bull” is an excellent place to hear live original music and as a matter of fact, I host an open mic there every Wednesday. Grower’s Pub is a great original music venue; in fact a lot of the beer places are really open to originals. We have a lot of really good songwriters around here and I’ve spoken to a lot of cover musicians who include songs they wrote in their shows.

WPT: When did you start playing out? Sara: My first gig was as a backup singer in a frat band, but I didn’t learn to play guitar until I returned here. WPT: Are you a full-time musician? Sara: Mostly, I write songs, I play out every week and I tour. I also teach kids music through a program called, “Music Together”, it involves kids ages 0-5, so I get to sing, dance and play various instruments with babies, it’s very fun.

WPT: Do you have a CD? Sara: I have one original CD that was released in 2013. I recorded it at Spirit Ranch. WPT: What was the process like? Sara: It took a little longer than normal, because I was taking guitar

WPT: When did you start writing originals?

CLUB

BLASE CAFÉ

lessons from Pedro Arevalo, who wound up playing on the album co-producing with Bud Snyder and coaching me to play guitar myself. It was an amazing process. The CD features Garrett Dawson, Sandi Grecco, Dani Jaye, and Justin Layman…who’s now my husband. We recorded a duet on the CD together. WPT: When did you start touring? Sara: After the album was recorded, while it was still getting mixed, I moved to New York City for 3 years. That found me with a whole different set of circumstances affecting my songwriting and I have all new songs now from my time living in New York. It really widened my scope of music. The first day I lived there, I went to an open mic and that’s how I wound up meeting everyone I got to know there. I met people who were booking their own independent tours, so I did a crowd-funding campaign and booked my first tour a couple of months after I got there. My husband, Justin, and I have a band called “The Curious Bedfellows”…we do a duet sometimes and we have Eddie James playing drums with us, and we just finished a month-long tour for our honeymoon. WPT: When can people see you at Best Western? Sara: A couple of Fridays each month. WPT: What can people expect to hear at your show? Sara: I play guitar and sing. I like

Photo of Sara Nelms courtesy of Milot Yves

to do anything from some nineties stuff like Alanis Morrisette, The Monkees…country stuff…a wide variety of music for everyone and I work in some stuff that I like. My originals are Folk or Americana with some Country flavor I picked up in Nashville.

Morrisette in my bedroom and thinking; this is my life even though it wasn’t at all, whatever she was talking about was not what I was going through in middle school, but I identified with the emotion in the music and felt a connection. I like to think I’m able to do that for people.

WPT: Where do you see your career going from here? Sara: I’m getting ready to record my next CD, so I’m excited about that. I’d like to lend my music to benefits and environmental causes. I want to continue touring and I’m really interested in getting my music into television and films… and just play out as much as I can… live out my dream.

Sara Nelms’ CD “Lover, No Longer” is available on iTunes and you can find her on Facebook, Twitter and Reverbnation.

WPT: What’s your favorite thing about being a musician? Sara: What I really like about music is the ability to have a positive affect on people. I remember growing up listening to songs that really helped me get through whatever I was going through. I remember listening to Alanis

Best Western Plus, Siesta Key Gateway features live music at the poolside bar Fridays and Saturdays 3-6pm and is located at 6600 South Tamiami Trail, just over the Stickney Point bridge and accessible by Johnny’s Free ride. Mike Sales is a local singer/ songwriter for more information log onto mikesalessings.com

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE MONDAY

In the Village 941‐349‐9822

DAIQUIRI DECK RAW BAR In the Village 941‐349‐8697 GILLIGANS

www.siestasand.net

Scott Curts (3‐7pm)

TUESDAY

Live Music 6‐10pm Billy Lyon (3‐7pm)

WEDNESDAY Live Music 6‐10pm

Noel Harris (3‐7pm)

THURSDAY Live Music 6‐10pm

FRIDAY

Live Music (6‐10pm)

Kevin Thompson Spark Notes (3‐7pm) (3‐7pm) DJ TJ (10pm) DJ Crawford (10pm) RPM Live Music 6‐10pm 6‐10pm DJ 10pm – 2am DJ 10pm – 2am Acoustic Open Mic w/ Nally & Egglefield 6‐10pm Berry Oakley’s Whiteleather 2‐6pm Skylab LIVE BAND 7‐11pm 8pm – 12am Live Band DJ Coz 8 – 11pm 9pm‐2am DJ 11‐2am

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Live Music 6‐10pm

Live Music 6 ‐10pm

Miles Bosworth (3‐7pm) DJ Crawford (10pm) Acoustic Pete 1‐5pm Live Music 6‐10pm DJ 10pm – 2am Eddie James Jazz Band 6‐10pm Dana & Co 2‐6pm Mike Tozier 8pm – 12am Live Band 8 –11pm DJ 11pm‐2am

Matt Gerhardt (3‐7pm) K. Conn (9pm) Road Block 2‐6pm Live Music 6‐10pm DJ 10pm – 2am

Rodney Shenk 6‐10pm

RPM 6‐10pm

Patrick 6‐10pm DJ 10pm – 2am

Al Donadi 7‐11pm

Open mic night 7‐11pm

Kettle of Fish 7‐11pm

THE BEACH CLUB

Baby 9pm‐midnight

DJ Coz or Kensi 10pm – 2am

THE COTTAGE

Live Music 6‐9pm

Live Music 7‐10pm

Live Music 6‐9pm

THE HUB‐BAJA GRILL

Live Music Noon – 3pm 3:30 – 6:30pm 7‐10pm

Live Music Noon – 3 3:30 – 6:30pm 7‐10pm

Live Music 1 – 4pm 4:30 – 7:30pm 8:30 –midnight

Live Music 1‐4pm 4:30 – 7:30pm 8:30 ‐ midnight

Live Music Noon – 3 3:30 – 6:30pm 7‐10pm

Karaoke 9pm – 1am

Scott Peace 6‐10pm

Jordy Christo 6‐10pm

Scott Peace 6‐10pm

In the Village 941‐346‐8122

Lelu’s Coffee Lounge In the Village 941‐346‐5358

SIESTA KEY OYSTER BAR (SKOB) In the Village 941‐346‐5443 In the Village 941‐349‐6311 In the Village 941‐312‐9300

In the Village 941‐349‐6800

BACKROOM SALOON @ CAPT. CURTS Crescent Beach Shops

941‐349‐3885 SNIKI TIKI @ CAPT CURTS

Crescent Beach Shops

941‐349‐3885 Turtle Beach Grill Southern end of SK 941‐349‐3839 BOATYARD BAR & GRILL

Over the South Bridge

RPM 6‐10pm

Sunny Jim 6‐10pm

Nick Levalley/ Paul Duffy 6‐10pm

Karaoke 9pm ‐1am Chris Otto 6‐10pm

CASEY KEY FISH HOUSE 801 Blackburn Pt. Rd, Osprey 941‐966‐1901

FANDANGO 1812 s. Osprey Ave, 941‐954‐5400

TBA – 2 pm Tozier – 5pm Chris Otto ‐ 10pm Democracy (Reggae) 10pm‐2am

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6pm

Andres Collin 5‐9pm

Larry Williams 5‐9pm

(Reggae Music)

941‐921‐6200

SAND DOLLAR POOL BAR @ Best Western Plus 6600 S. Tamiami Trl. Sarasota 941‐924‐4900

Democracy 4‐8pm

Live Music 3‐6PM

Live Music 4‐8pm

Live Music 3‐7pm

Live Jazz 7‐10PM

Above information is subject to change. We suggest calling venues for confirmation.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Island Humor [ A man journeyed to a far-off land to find a wizard who could remove a curse that had been plaguing him for the past 40 years. “It’s possible’, the wizard replied, but I’ll need you to tell me the exact words of the original curse.” “No problem,” the man said. “They were “I now pronounce you man and wife.” [ What do karaoke and sex have in common? The more you drink, the better you think you are. [ A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to ‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ she asked, ‘Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?’ Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, ‘Thou shall not kill.’ [ One Christmas a man bought his wife a cemetery plot as a gift. The next year he didn’t buy her anything. When she asked him why, he replied. “Because you still haven’t

used the gift I bought you last year!” [ Marriage is a three-ring circus: There is an engagement ring, a wedding ring and suffering. [ A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, ‘Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late! Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late!’ While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, ‘Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late...But please don’t shove me either!’ [ What’s worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm? Biting into an apple and finding half a worm. [ A trio of buglers broke into a pharmacy and stole its entire supply of Viagra and Cialis. Police are now looking for three hardened criminals.

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE...

[ A husband, the owner of a brand new car, was somewhat reluctant to allow his wife to drive his prized possession – even to go to a grocery store a few blocks away from their house. After she insisted, he finally relented, cautioning her as she departed. “Remember if you have an accident, the newspaper will print your age!”

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

onth. M e h T f o r e d n e t r Ba Siesta Key s, lu P rn e st e W Best Trail 6600 S. Tamiami 941.924.4900

[ A father, while on a business trip late one night, was passing by his son’s university and decided to stop in for a visit. He arrived at what he thought was his son’s frat house and knocked on the door. When one of the fraternity brothers opened the door, the man asked, “Does Brendan live here?” “Yes, replied the boy. Just leave him on the porch a usual.” [ A blonde enlisted in the Army, and when she was given her uniform the drill sergeant informed her that although her quarters would be in a separate building she would mess with the men. Only later did she learn that meant she would eat her meals with them.

Name of Bartender: Katrina Hometown: Connelly Springs, North Carolina Q: How long have you been bartending? A: 12 years.

MLB/College Packages FULL BAR

Q: What was the strangest or funniest thing you experienced at work? A: Had a guest come out to the bar and asked me if I was the fitness director. I told her yes, grab a noodle and hit the pool cuz it fills up quick. Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: Deep Sea fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, RC car racing and go to the beach. Q: How would you describe yourself? A: Bubbly, energetic and personable.

Q: How would you describe where you work? A: FABULOUS, best place on earth to work! Q: When’s the best time to see you? A: Tuesday through Saturday.

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

Karaoke Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

941.349.0194

1666 Hillview - A Piece of Sarasota History A comprehensive exhibit and sale of work by the late Frank Colson will take place at the historic house and studio at 1666 Hillview Street on Saturday, December 10, from 10-4. The extraordinary property is rich with Sarasota history. Placed on the National Register in 1993, it was home to Colson School of Art for 52 years, and home to the Amagansett Art School for the 20 years before that. The two-story section of the house was designed and built in1940 by Hilton Leech, famed watercolorist and teacher who taught at Ringling School of Art from 19311945. This was where Hilton painted, with north light filtering through a dramatic 12-sectioned glass window reaching up to the tin roof. In 1941, he began holding classes in that same studio under the flag of The Amagansett Art School. After World War II Hilton left Ringling to concentrate on his burgeoning art school. He purchased one-half of a “war surplus” military barracks, had it moved over from the Venice Airport, and plopped it down next to his house. (Those barracks had originally been built in the 1920’s, and had been used during World War II to house British pilots being trained at the Venice airport.) Dozens of painters came to study in Hilton’s hallowed hall, and The Amagansett Art School was a grand success. In the early 50’s, Hilton and his wife Dorothy built a large single-story addition to the house, and surrounded it with clusters of giant bamboo. The property was left lush and natural, with tall pines, sea grapes, and a variety of exotic trees. In the 60’s the Leeches built a new home and studio on Riverwood Avenue in Sarasota, and the Hillview buildings were put up for sale. In 1964, Frank and Diana Colson stepped up to buy it. The couple was a bit short on down payment, but Hilton accepted several of Frank Colson’s spectacular clay pieces in trade to cover the balance due. Their young sons, Kevin and Sean, were to grow up here, and to attend nearby Southside Elementary, where their mother taught music. In 1964, kilns were built and Colson School of Art was born. For the next 40 years, a stream of pottery students became Frank’s apprentices, many of whom went on to become renown in the field of clay: Ann Darling, Carla O’Brien, Boots Culbertson, and Elle Leonard, to name but a few. When Frank expanded into the world of molten metal, a new set of apprentices came to master the bronze-casting process, including Frank’s younger son, Sean. For a period of years, father and son operated a second art foundry near 5th and Central in Sarasota. After Prentice-Hall published his book, Kiln Building with Space Age Materials, Colson was invited all over the world to exhibit work, build kilns and conduct workshops in both clay and metal casting. Increasingly he broke away from traditional pottery to develop powerful pieces that were extremely personal, mingling the ancient with a time that has yet to come. In the 1980’s he was given a one-man show in Rockefeller Center in NYC. Frank was also commissioned to cast public statuary in Sarasota, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright sculpture at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the World War I Doughboy in the park at the foot of Main Street and Route 41. His personal artwork is part of the collection of the Fine Arts Society which is displayed at the Van Wezel. Every few years, both house and studio have been part of Sarasota’s Creators and Collectors Tours. Frank Colson has been described as a neo-primitive who interpreted the many cultures in which he lived. He drew great inspiration from his travels to exotic locales: Japan, Indonesia, Russia, China, Guatemala, Spain, Vietnam, Sweden, Peru, New Zealand, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Panama. Masks were very special to him. The exteriors of both home and studio at 1666 Hillview display relief panels in clay inspired by primitive New Zealanders. Inside the house, a screened atrium is

www.siestasand.net

By Diana Colson

Frank Colson

rimmed by masks which echo the Mayan cultures of South America. An occasional bronze mask shines forth, adding the element of surprise. His creations are highly original, often humorous, and always intriguing. Besides working in clay and in bronze, Frank worked in glass, fabric, mixed media and fiber-optic sculptures. A few of the pieces being offered for sale may be seen at www. FrankColson.com. Three of the tall “Effigy

Forms” exhibited in Rockefeller Center are included, as are a few of the fabric wall hangings he created in Bali and exhibited in one-man shows in Barcelona and Stockholm. Frank was particularly attracted to the image of the horse. His “Han Horses” are based on Chinese Ceramic sculptures from 200 BC, and each one is unique and individually re-fired using several different techniques. His armored horses were inspired by a visit to the Medieval Armor section of New York’s Metropolitan Museum, his bronze Winged Horse was inspired by Mythology, while his

magnificent bronze piece—Circus Horse with Bareback Riders— is an homage to Dolly Jacobs, Pedro Reis, and Circus Sarasota. Frank Colson passed away in 2015, and the Colson era at 1666 Hillview is now coming to an end. The historic home and studio are being offered for sale, as are many pieces of both Frank’s artwork and pieces he and Diana brought back from their travels around the world. On Saturday, December 10, you have an opportunity to see this place that has contributed so much to the culture of our community.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Snapshots of Island Visitors

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

1. Abigail age 6, Micah age 11, Lydia age 13, Johannah age 18, Caleb age 9, and Julie from SC 2. Arabella age 12, Sierra age 12, Gabriella age 13, and Tiffany from Sarasota 3. Daphne age 5, Mike, and Bonnie from Sarasota 4. Fabiola & Niza age 1 5. Marcelo age 12 & Niza age 1 6. Cale age 7, Mila age 4, and Liz from Sarasota 7. Wilbur, Julie, Wayne, and Lance from Colorado 8. Yolanda and Mark from Sarasota 9. Rafael, Maryori, Brianna age 9, and Rafael from Tampa 10. Dane, Dane age 1, Hosanna, Anna age 7, and Rae age 3 11. Emily, Josh, and Nicole from Sarasota 12. Melissa, Katelyn age 10, Aiden age 7, Lulu age 3, and Kristen from Sarasota 13. Frances & Jane from Maryland 14. The sand sculpting artists

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Report

Water World Choose Your Cruise with Kokomo Boat Charters One of the great perks of living in paradise is the yearround activities centered on the beautiful aquamarine waters surrounding Siesta Key. Those looking for a truly memorable cruise during your stay here will find Kokomo Charters easily fits the bill. The owners will indulge you on their stylish 25 ft. Tri-Toon charter boat designed for pleasure cruising. This enthusiastic husband and wife team, Captain John and First Mate Ali, will welcome you aboard their boat “Fin-SUP” to begin your perfect boating adventure. They take the worry out of reserving or operating a rental boat so you can relax on the water and have fun. Each cruise is intimate and strictly for your own party, seating up to six guests with no age restrictions. The balmy breezes and mesmerizing water makes for an incredible way to spend time with visiting friends and family or during a short stay. This boat comes equipped with dual retractable Bimini tops for those preferring shade and includes extras that you won’t find on rental or other charter boats. They offer two Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUP), rafts, and snorkel equipment all for your pleasure at no extra charge. There’s a bar with Captain Seats in the back, plush seating in the front with plenty of table space, tableware is available for your use, and a huge Yeti Cooler stocked with complimentary ice, bottled water, Gatorade, and soda selections. A state of the art stereo will rock any music you’d like to hear via a remote IPad that streams Apple Music. Kokomo Charters offers Sunrise Cruises, which include coffee and a pastry, Sunset Cruises, which

Adventure Charters 941-371-1390

941-266-3776 include cocktails and a snack, or any other times in between. They’ll customize the perfect two-hour sightseeing cruise or four-hour adventure cruise around your schedule. Take a slow cruise past some phenomenal waterfront architecture, or try a Stand-Up Paddleboard and likely see a Dolphin or Manatee. Visit a sandbar, private beach or an Island that you can only get to by boat. Or, perhaps dock at a Tiki Bar for a bite to eat and/or a cocktail. Anchor in a quiet cove to hang out on the boat, or just float in the Gulf of Mexico – it’s all possible. Included with each cruise is a keepsake photo. Captain John and Ali have even been known to occasionally fly a drone for some amazing aerial photography, with you in it. Visit Trip Advisor for a feel of what others experienced. Then go to Kokomo Charters’ website for advanced bookings and experience for yourself the difference of Kokomo Charters. If you book through their website, www. kokomocharters.com, you’ll save 10% off any cruise by typing SIESTASAND in the Promo Code Box and choose your cruise. (Advertorial)

Snapshots of Island Visitors Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography 1

Snook will migrate up into Siesta Key canals in December

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. 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. The Myakka River lies a short drive east of Siesta Key and offers visitors a unique angling opportunity; the chance to catch a trophy snook casting plugs while experiencing fantastic scenery. This is truly “Old Florida” and is a quiet and serene trip in a great natural setting. Along with snook, bass, baby tarpon, gar, and other species are encountered. Alligators and exotic bird life is seen on most trips as well. 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.

It’s Stone Crab Season! 1. Jessica age 13 months, Kate age 9 from NY 2. Jaimie from Sarasota 3. Danielle, Luca age 1, Jeff, Nathan age 3 from Canada

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DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Notes from the Island Fishmonger

By Scott Dolan, Big Water Fish Market, 6641 Midnight Pass, Siesta Key, 941-554-8101

Local Beer + Local Sea Fare = A Match Made in Heaven During a recent weekend getaway (or as we call it in Florida a “staycation”) I realized that this month’s Island article was staring me right in the face. As I sit on a beach in Islamorada, Florida in the Florida Keys (a place I often visit for seafood inspiration), this time the inspiration was local beer. I sit here with my good friend and foodie mentor Jack Hodges as we begin to solve the world’s problems while sipping on a variety of local beers. As our conversations often do, we drifted away from life and politics and began to talk about our true passion...seafood. Soon into the conversation it dawned on us that very often foodies like us often compare and pair wine with food but not often enough do we hear of a beer and food pairing conversation. My first thought was if you’re going to have a fish and chips meal, nothing goes better with that than a cold pint of Guinness. Then I decided to think a little more local. So we get our beer master, Chad Sherk, into the conversation which begins a week of experiments in the BWFM Lab as we pair our local beers with our local catch. We called this experimental time a “meeting of the minds” but those of you who know us may call it a meeting of the half pints! Fair enough, but the way I see it, our three pallets together and years of seafood and beer consumption make us as good as any food expert in the country. We matched our local hops with our local sea fare and this was our conclusion. JDub’s Poolside is brewed right here in Sarasota. It is very smooth, crisp and refreshing with a mild lemon flavor. Poolside is the perfect name for this beer as I can definitely suggest that when you’re relaxing poolside you do it with JDub’s Poolside beer and pair it with Siesta Key Stone Crabs as seen here in the accompanying photo featuring our beer

master, Chad. This is the perfect combination of two of the best local products Sarasota has to offer. Poolside beer + fresh cracked Stone Crabs = a match made in heaven. Big Top is also a local Sarasota brewed beer made by Big Top Brewing Company. Big Top is a brew inspired by the history of our city. These brew masters are crafting beer that celebrates the heritage of Sarasota, Florida and Circus City is one of their core beers. This beer sets the bar for local IPA’s with its eye catching, unfiltered, hazy hue and amazing head that lasts. It is a great taste with a bold hoppy finish that will absolutely stun your palate and your mind with its 6.8 % alc. We paired this IPA with Pompano as this fish is just as local as Big Top Brewing. As I said earlier, IPA’s traditionally go well with a spicy citrus like fish and Pompano is a great fish to blacken and serve with citrus. Circus City IPA + spicy Sarasota Pompano w/ citrus slaw = an explosion of local flavors. Islamorada Beer is brewed in the Florida Keys and offers a variety of Ales and an IPA. We find the Islamorada Ale and the Sunday Sandbar, which is an American Wheat Ale, to be an easy drinking beer similar to a Corona only with a hint of citrus and a bit of a bite. The Channel Side IPA is enjoyable even if you’re not a big IPA person as it has more of a milder taste than most other IPA’S. “IPA’S pair well with a spicy recipe such as a blackened fish,” says beer master Chad. We paired this Islamorada Beer with a local Hogfish and Yellowtail Snapper…both are indigenous to the Florida Keys. Like the beer, these fish are easy on the palate. They are a mild, white & flakey fish that pairs perfectly with this beer. Islamorada Sunday Sandbar Ale + Hogfish = the perfect Sunday Funday lunch. Tampa Style Lager is brewed by Cigar City Brewing

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in Tampa, Florida. This is not an aged brew. It is recommended that you drink this beer as close to the brew date as possible. It is designed for beer drinking in the heat of Florida. This is a light, tan colored beer that you simply pour into a chilled beer glass and enjoy with any shellfish. We actually paired this Tampa Lager with Shrimp and Tripletail fish. The smooth chilled beer would go famously with some Gulf Pink peel and eat shrimp or even a Tripletail filet that boasts of a crab like flavor. Cigar City brewing also produces Jai Alai Indian IPA and a Brown Ale that has a hint of a chocolate flavor and is almost an after dinner beer that should be enjoyed with a good Ybor City Cigar. Beach Blonde Ale is brewed in St. Pete by 3 Daughters Brewing Company. Beach Blonde Ale is easy on the tongue with a citrus taste. It doesn’t say it on the can description but we definitely taste a hint of grapefruit. We all agreed without a doubt that this Ale is a great pairing with the ever so popular local Grouper. St. Pete is one of the Grouper capitals of the world offering an abundant amount and variety of Groupers including Red Grouper, Black Grouper and Scamp. Further offshore you will find the Warsaw and Kitty Mitchel Groupers. Beach Blonde Ale + St. Pete Grouper = another day in paradise. All of the above mentioned local beers and seafood are available daily at Siesta Key’s Big Water Fish Market including Stone Crabs.

In Florida, Stone Crabs are traditionally eaten cold. A good fish monger will crack your Stone Crabs for you when you purchase them. It is always recommended that you eat your Stone Crabs the day they are cracked. Here is a homemade Stone Crab sauce recipe for your enjoyment. You can adjust the recipe amount according to the number of Stone Crabs you are eating.

• 1 cup mayonnaise • 1 cup yellow mustard • 1 tbsp. spicy brown mustard • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce • Fresh horseradish and brown sugar to taste

To sum it up...Live Well... Drink Local...Eat Local...and Eat Fish! Scott Dolan Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key 941-554-8101

Combine all ingredients and chill. Serve with your chilled cracked Stone Crabs along with an ice cold Sarasota Poolside beer.

www.BigWaterFishMarket.com

DECEMBER 2016 TIDE CHART Florida, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sarasota Bay

December 2016

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

2:42p

High Tide 1.3

High Tide

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

8:18a

12:20a

2.2

3:20p

12:59a

2.1

4:01p

1:45a

2.0

2:39a

3:48a

Low Tide -0.3

6:51p

Low Tide 1.1

7:04a

5:35p

8:39a

7:37p

1.3

8:55a

-0.3

7:32p

1.1

7:05a

5:35p

9:28a

8:28p

1.3

9:36a

-0.3

8:25p

1.1

7:06a

5:35p

10:14a

9:21p

4:47p

1.4

10:21a

-0.2

9:33p

1.1

7:07a

5:35p

10:58a

10:15p

1.8

5:33p

1.4

11:10a

-0.1

10:59p

1.0

7:07a

5:35p

11:40a

11:12p

1.6

6:19p

1.5

12:03p

0.0

7:08a

5:35p

12:21p

5:15a

1.5

7:01p

1.6

12:32a

0.8

12:57p

0.2

7:09a

5:36p

1:01p

12:10a

6:56a

1.4

7:42p

1.7

1:57a

0.6

1:51p

0.4

7:09a

5:36p

1:42p

1:09a

8:32a

1.3

8:20p

1.8

3:08a

0.4

2:41p

0.6

7:10a

5:36p

2:23p

2:10a

9:56a

1.3

8:59p

2.0

4:09a

0.0

3:27p

0.6

7:11a

5:36p

3:07p

3:13a

11:08a

1.3

9:37p

2.2

5:04a

-0.3

4:08p

0.8

7:12a

5:36p

3:55p

4:19a

12:12p

1.3

10:17p

2.3

5:55a

-0.6

4:47p

0.9

7:12a

5:37p

4:47p

5:26a

1:11p

1.3

10:58p

2.4

6:45a

-0.6

5:24p

1.0

7:13a

5:37p

5:44p

6:33a

2:04p

1.2

11:40p

2.4

7:32a

-0.7

6:03p

1.0

7:13a

5:37p

6:44p

7:38a

2:53p

1.2

8:18a

-0.7

6:47p

1.0

7:14a

5:38p

7:46p

8:39a

12:25a

2.3

3:37p

1.2

9:03a

-0.6

7:40p

1.0

7:15a

5:38p

8:48p

9:34a

1:12a

2.1

4:19p

1.2

9:48a

-0.5

8:45p

0.9

7:15a

5:39p

9:49p

10:23a

2:04a

1.8

5:00p

1.3

10:32a

-0.3

10:05p

0.9

7:16a

5:39p

10:47p

11:07a

3:04a

1.6

5:40p

1.3

11:17a

-0.1

11:36p

0.8

7:16a

5:39p

11:43p

11:47a

4:20a

1.4

6:21p

1.4

12:03p

0.2

7:17a

5:40p

5:58a

1.1

7:02p

1.6

1:10a

0.6

12:50p

0.4

7:17a

5:40p

12:36a

12:59p

7:45a

1.0

7:41p

1.6

2:30a

0.5

1:39p

0.5

7:18a

5:41p

1:28a

1:33p

9:16a

1.0

8:17p

1.7

3:34a

0.2

2:26p

0.6

7:18a

5:42p

2:19a

2:08p

10:30a

1.1

8:52p

1.7

4:26a

0.0

3:11p

0.7

7:19a

5:42p

3:10a

2:44p

11:30a

1.1

9:24p

1.8

5:10a

-0.2

3:51p

0.8

7:19a

5:43p

4:02a

3:21p

12:19p

1.1

9:55p

1.9

5:50a

-0.4

4:26p

0.9

7:20a

5:43p

4:53a

4:02p

1:00p

1.1

10:26p

1.9

6:26a

-0.5

4:59p

0.9

7:20a

5:44p

5:44a

4:46p

1:33p

1.1

10:59p

2.0

7:00a

-0.6

5:31p

0.9

7:20a

5:44p

6:35a

5:33p

2:00p

1.1

11:34p

2.0

7:32a

-0.6

6:07p

0.9

7:21a

5:45p

7:25a

6:23p

2:24p

1.1

8:05a

-0.6

6:47p

0.8

7:21a

5:46p

8:12a

7:16p

12:12a

2.0

8:38a

-0.6

7:34p

0.8

7:21a

5:46p

8:58a

8:11p

2:49p

1.1

1st

Full

12:24p

Phase

3rd

New

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DECEMBER 2016

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Snapshots of Island Visitors Master pump station on Siesta Key Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Continued from cover story

Colin age 2 from NJ

Aerial image Mr. Rouse showed the SKA audience. The big tank at the top center of the photo is the one they plan to keep during construction in the event of an emergency.

All effluent will flow off Siesta Key through a sewer force main 20 inches in diameter that will be constructed about 60 feet below the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Rouse explained. Upgrades have been underway at the county’s Bee Ridge and Central Sarasota treatment facilities to handle the Siesta sewage, he added. The first on-site work people would notice, he said, was scheduled to begin on Nov. 14 and continue through December. “Residents should anticipate some noise and an increase in truck traffic on Oakmont Place.” The work is taking place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Rouse added, with none planned at night or on weekends. Furthermore, Rouse explained, after the contractor for Phase III has worked with staff to finalize what is called a Maintenance of Traffic plan for the construction that will take place next year, another community meeting will be held. The third phase also will entail running the new sewage force main from South View Drive along Midnight Pass Road to Shadow Lawn Way and then along Shadow Lawn Drive to the treatment plant. That segment is scheduled to begin in September 2017. It probably will be a year after the new master pump station is up and running before the equipment and tanks for sewage treatment are decontaminated and demolished, Rouse told the audience. The demolition work is not part of the three-phase project. Cash noted that the Siesta plant is the last surface water discharge facility in Sarasota County. The treated wastewater flows into the Grand Canal and ultimately into the ICW, he said.

Jamie, Landon age 9 months, Bryan, and Jackson age from MI

‘Since we last saw you …’

Avery and Colby Hunt visiting from Mars, PA. Photo by Jennie Hunt

After Rouse provided an

To advertise in print or online contact: Bob or Emy Stein at 941.349.0194 Send editorial and/or photos via email to: islandvp@verizon.net

Dave Cash overview of the facets of each phase, Cash reminded the audience that, following a considerable number of complaints about odor at the wastewater plant in the spring, the county worked with a consultant to analyze potential mitigation efforts. As a result, he said, equipment was repaired and cleaned. The situation improved, he continued, but after hearing lingering concerns in June and July, county staff “opted to add a chemical feed system” to suppress the odor of the hydrogen sulfide gas at the plant, which is the major source of those bad smells in the neighborhood. Since then, Cash said, “We haven’t had as many complaints.” And because of the discharge into the Grand Canal that was associated with Hermine, Cash pointed out, “We have committed to using all means necessary” to notify the public right away if such a situation should arise again. Because the decommissioning of the plant is not planned until December 2017, he added, the facility will be in use through another rainy season.

Going forward

Although the chance that a pipeline will fail “is a minimal risk,” Cash explained, staff would like to put some permanent measure in place at the new master pump station in the event of an emergency. “It’s another insurance policy.” A hospital-grade generator that

can run on electricity or fuel will be installed on the site, Rouse noted. When Siesta Isles resident Lorie Tiernay asked about the failure rate for pumping stations, Rouse replied that a wide variety of types and sizes of lift stations are constructed. “This is what we’d almost call a ‘mega master,’” he said, as it has been designed to handle the flow from six other lift stations. A system called a “hot backup” begins working immediately, Rouse explained, if one of the two primary pumps ceases functioning for any reason. Diesel fuel will be kept onsite for the generator in the event it is needed and the electrical system is down, he added. “If there was Armageddon, and it really failed … could raw sewage be dumped into the canal?” Tiernay asked. “It’s highly improbable that will happen,” Rouse told her, though he said he could not rule out “an Al Qaeda strike.” He has been working with the county for 13 years, Rouse continued, and he never has seen a master pump station fail. Cash added, “We’ve got as much redundancy as we could possibly have.” Nonetheless, Cash continued, if a Category 5 hurricane were to strike Siesta Key, “that might be a different story.” As for the site itself after the project has been completed, Cash explained that no decision has been made about use of the remainder of the approximately 5-acre parcel; about two-thirds of it will be vacant after the demolition of the old equipment has been completed. “The County Commission has the opportunity to get feedback from the community … and decide how to use the site. County Commission Chair Alan Maio pointed out, “We will try our best to maintain it as a park and not sell the property.”

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DearDonnarose

Q: Dear Donnarose, I see all the people protesting against the outcome of the presidential election. But I also see others on social media bashing the protesters. I hate to admit it, but I tend to agree with the latter. I just think enough is enough. Didn’t we all get exposed to enough negativism during the campaign? Your thoughts? ~MB A: “Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.” -Unknown Absolutely, we definitely all experienced enough negativism related to this topic. But since bashing the protesters hasn’t lightened them up as of yet, at this point, it is suggested to try an alternative way of dealing with this. Meaning, since there’s a ton of negative energy out there emanating from those who feel a sense of betrayal or extreme let down because of their vote not resulting to their satisfaction, rather than send out judgment towards them, instead, spend your energy on raising your vibration. This not only will help increase your light and shield you from the negative angry energy, but your increased light will emanate out towards others, and can help shift and lift their vibrational frequency as well. It can actually help those who are in emotional pain to feel a sense of relief, and bring them to a place of peace. There’s a link below that will get you started with raising your vibration. Remember, by increasing your light, the darkness around you cannot thrive for very long, and soon a peaceful outcome will start to emerge. This doesn’t mean people should stop standing up for what they believe in. But spreading your light can help bring clarity to others, whereas they can realize they can still speak their mind, but in a more peaceful manner. And raising your vibration is a step to take to help this along. ~ ♥ http://siestasand.net/soulfully-yours-donnarose-7-16/ Q: Dear Donnarose, I’m at a loss on how to handle my mother’s illness. She’s stricken with terminal cancer, and it’s causing some difficulty amongst my family. I’m still hopeful that she can survive, but my siblings keep saying I’m unrealistic. Please advise. ~Thank you, EV A: “During feelings of despair, the only way up is through prayer.” ~Donnarose Melvin I can understand why both you and your siblings feel the way you do, as I’ve heard and read, as well as seen with my clients, that there can be more than one outcome for those suffering with terminal cancer. One person who survived, is Anita Moorjani. Years ago she wrote a book about her story called, “Dying To Be Me”, in which Dr. Wayne Dyer was so inspired, he had her tour with him many times. I read it twice, and highly recommend it for you and your family.

DECEMBER 2016

Wake & Shake N o w w h i l e t h e r e ’ s no guarantee that people with terminal cancer will survive like Anita, still, I’ve seen how the loving attitudes and behavior of those surrounding them, can make a positive impact. I know firsthand, because I’ve spoken to my clients during their sessions with me, and was kept informed about the family dynamics. But keep in mind, I also noticed when there was a r g u i n g a n d n e g a t i v e discussions around my clients, it would be difficult because they were not in the position to help resolve the issues. And, absorbing negative energy may affect one’s immune system, and may possibly counteract the effects of certain treatments. Also, as you know, cancer is as real as it gets, and is already plenty to handle. Therefore, it is suggested that anything that can strike a balance should only be brought into your mother’s hospital room. Things that help would be of a cheerful nature, like anything you know she finds funny, as humor is known to help boost the immune system. Show her positive videos, photos, and discuss activities to look forward to, etc. Keep the love flowing around her as much as you possibly can. If your siblings don’t support you, trust me when I say, that if you stay very connected to your Higher powers, They will greatly support you, as well as manifest some peace amongst your family during tough discussions. Now as I’ve mentioned in the past, I do believe our soul’s contract determines whether we will transition or survive certain situations. However, I strongly believe, that by doing the best you can with applying all that was written above, there will be a wave of peace that will come over you as well as your mother, whether it’s during her transition, or her recovery. I’ve seen this to be true in both cases. I send all of you love and God’s light on this situation.~♥ Donnarose Melvin is a professional intuitive medium, and also does powerful distant energy clearings. Her knowledge from her BA degree in Psychology, along with her natural intuitive gifts, have helped thousands achieve increased peace and success. Please send your questions to: Donnarose1010@gmail. com or Facebook private msg her at Donnarose. She will select questions each month to share with you. Donnarose regrets that unpublished questions cannot be answered individually. If you’d like an energy clearing, or an intuitive reading, please contact Donnarose at the email address above.

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The Highs and Lows of Properties Sold on Siesta Key

Provided by Key Solutions Real Estate / www.keysolutionsrealestate.com

Following are properties sold on Siesta Key in the last 60 days, providing a snapshot of home values on the Key for both single family homes and condominiums.

HIGHEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY: 7909 Midnight Pass Rd: Sold For $2,150,000 Beautiful 5 bedroom/4 bath secluded bay estate on South Siesta. Enjoy gorgeous views of the bay from your living room as you relax in this elegant home on Little Sarasota Bay. Gated and private, you will feel like you are on your very own island, despite being just minutes from Downtown Sarasota or St. Armands Circle. On close to an acre with expansive water frontage,

lush foliage, a private boat dock and views to take your breath away; this home is ideal for those who enjoy the island life. As soon as you walk in through beautiful double doors you are met with high ceilings, a floating staircase, and pool access right from your great room. Enjoy the formal living and dining room, as well as state of the art kitchens both inside and outside with updated appliances, custom cabinets, and extensive built-ins. Three guest rooms with tropical views. Moving to the 2nd floor, you will find an office/ den loft and another bonus room featuring a private staircase leading to the 1st floor. Next, take your own private elevator up to the 3rd floor where you will find an expansive master suite and bath. Complete with walk in closets and water views. Furnishing negotiable. The sale of this property came to $441.30 a square foot. Courtesy of Keller Williams

LOWEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY: 5221 Winding Way: Sold For $415,000 Best value on Siesta Key. Under a mile from the beach, hear sounds of the surf in the night time breezes. This homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhood is shaded under a Tree Canopy and centered around a lagoon-like pond. Here, rediscover Old Florida, long before high rise condos appeared. This unique home blends quietly in with its

HIGHEST PRICED CONDO: 1660 Summerhouse Ln, #104: Sold For $1,750,000 Square footage is one of a kind as it has 2571 sq. ft. under air and 2742 of outdoor veranda wrap around living area. View to the east overlooking the Intercoastal Water Way. Luxury at its finest with upgrades that this owner has done, really and truly move in ready, painting, furnishings, fabulous kitchen -15â&#x20AC;? deep cabinetry, Sub Zero refrigerator, Miele

surroundings but is thoroughly modern on the inside. Its great room concept is spatially divided for true Florida lifestyle living. From the updated kitchen with its quartz counter tops and breakfast bar to the formalized dining area and a cozy conversational grouping, the open living area offers an at home feel. The large master suite comfortably fits a king size bed and has a bonus space for a fitness area or reading nook. The master closet is the size of a room! The bathroom features quartz counter tops, dual sinks and a Jacuzzi tub. The split floor plan offers an updated second bath and the other two bedrooms. The large covered lanai has a Tiki bar that makes this space a true tropical 250 square foot retreat. Tropical vegetation abounds just outside this screened enclosure. Walk the meandering paths beneath Spanish Moss; laze by the pond; hear the fountain water quietly splash on the pond surface or relax in the outdoor spa with a tropical libation. The sale of this property came out to $241.70 a square foot. Courtesy of Community Realty Associates

induction stove top, marble counter tops, farmers sink, 2 cooling drawers, wine cellar (will hold 75 bottles) new air conditioning, private elevator, custom designs throughout from Carole Weaks, Designer out of Atlanta. Private steps from the veranda down to the BBQ gas grills, pool, spa and dock with kayak launch, and of course the convenience of the 1st floor for your pet owners. Underground enclosed garage for two vehicles and storage. Community heated pool and spa; Beautiful State of the Art Clubhouse featuring fitness center, media room, cards and billiards room, full kitchen to host your private parties. For your private beach access you must review agreement call Argus Management for details. The sale on this unit came out to $702.81 a square foot. Courtesy of Waterside Realty

LOWEST PRICED CONDO: 6717 Midnight Pass Rd, #6: Sold For $199,900 This 1 bedroom, 1 bath, turnkey furnished condo has updates throughout. The open kitchen comes complete with upgraded hardwood cabinets, solid surface countertops and stainless steel appliances, with just enough space for entertaining. Sandy feet are welcome, there is ceramic tile throughout the home and a nice space on the patio to relax and enjoy the island life. Siesta Key beach and Turtle beach are just around the corner and the Siesta Key Village with shops and restaurants is just a short drive. The sale came out to $334.28 a square foot. Courtesy of Re/Max Platinum

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New county impact fees He asked staff members what that figure would be, Maio said, and was told it would be almost impossible for them to provide an answer. “At this point, our community needs an awful lot of things,” he continued; yet, the residents “would shoot [the] five commissioners … if they would dare raise the millage rate …” Impact fees, he added, are one means of paying for infrastructure and services that will be necessary as the county adds more residents over the 10-year period in which the fees are expected to be in effect. Moreover, Maio said, “I do not find this to be a burden [to developers and home builders].” Although Vice Chair Paul Caragiulo acknowledged that he still was “not as confident as I would like to be” with regard to the justification for charging impact fees for general government services, he explained that he wanted to support the motion to show unity among the board members on a significant policy decision. Ye, when he called for the vote,

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Mason dissented. Prior to that vote, Commissioner Christine Robinson made a motion just calling for implementation of the new fees without any decision regarding phasing. County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh advised the board that it could take such action, but, ultimately, it had to act on the effective date or dates. Mason seconded Robinson’s motion, and it passed unanimously. Robinson pointed out that she understood how hard impact fees were to deal with during the Great Recession. She had told representatives of construction and home-building firms that the board did not want to cause them more problems, she added, by updating the fees until after an economic recovery was underway. “Now is the time we need to fix this,” she said of the decade-old fee schedule. “I think [this] has been long overdue. We’re getting to a better place [in regard to the local economy].” Both Robinson and Maio did comment on the difficulty of

dealing with the community’s need for affordable housing and updated fees. “The two don’t go together,” Robinson said. Maio referred to a chart Osterhoudt had shown the board earlier. At the request of the commission during the Sept. 6 public hearing on the fees, staff had added in two more categories of size for single-family dwellings and three more for multi-family structures. Yet, as Maio noted, the difference in the total of the seven fees for a single-family detached dwelling smaller than 1,250 square feet will be $5,154, compared to $5,293 for a home between 1,250 and 1,999 square feet. For a multi-family dwelling with less than 750 square feet, the total will be $3,775; for a multi-family home between 750 and 999 square feet, the figure will be $4,179. “And this is a commission that is pursuing, I think, rather aggressively, affordable housing,” Maio said. “I just find the numbers a bit surprising.”

Lingering concerns

In response to one issue Caragiulo raised on Sept. 6, Osterhoudt explained that the general government fees can be applied to administrative buildings, fleet maintenance facilities and equipment needed to provide services to residents. Eight other counties in Florida charge those fees, Osterhoudt added. Among them are Charlotte, Palm Beach, St. John’s and Martin counties, according to a chart Osterhoudt showed the board. In a related matter, Caragiulo questioned consultant Clancy Mullen, president of Duncan Associates in Austin, Texas, about an issue constituents had brought up: that the figure Mullen had used in determining the cost of future facilities was $360 per square foot. Mullen explained that when he began the update of the seven impact fees addressed in the study, the only data available regarded the expense of four fire stations. County staff advised

him, Mullen continued, that those figures “were reasonably consistent with what the county would pay for other types of buildings.” Mullen added that he would have preferred to have figures representing the expenses of a broader array of structures, but the key is the cost of a building itself; the land price is not factored into impact fee determinations. During the public hearing, Michael Neal of Neal Communities — a member of the Board of Directors of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association — questioned whether the county has to construct new facilities that achieve national LEED recognition for energy efficiency. Commissioner Robinson pointed out that her predecessor on the board — Commissioner Shannon Staub — was the champion of that philosophy. “I can’t recall a fire station or library that we’ve built that we haven’t sought [LEED certification] for,” Robinson said.

Paradise Awaits... E IC ED! R P UC D RE

5206 Winding Way Sarasota, FL

Great Siesta Key home just a short walk to the sugary sands of Siesta Key Beach. Full remodeled with new stucco, paint and custom woodwork on the exterior. Brand new A/C unit, new stainless steel appliances. Bonus glassed-in Florida room is a pure joy for relaxation.

439,900

1122 Horizon View Drive, Sarasota, FL

Deeded Beach Access!!! Your feet will be in the Gulf of Mexico in 60 seconds. This immaculate pool home features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak Floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 BR, 3.5 BA with LL bonus area for generational living. A truly unique find!

997,000

418 Island Circle, Sarasota, FL

Single Family Home, 3 BR, 2.5 BA Key West Style Grand Canal home on Siesta Key. Built in 2005. Huge lower level bonus area, pool shower, 4-car garage. Open floor plan. Custom touches, must see!

1,415,000

E IC ED! R P UC D RE

D OL

389 Island Circle, Sarasota, FL

Single Family Home, 4 BR, 4.5 BA, Private Pool, Corner Lot, 1 Car Attached Garage, Located on Palm Island on Siesta Key, A Short Walk To The Beach, Wood and Marble Flooring Throughout, Low Maintenance Yard, Private and Secluded

779,000

6151 Hollywood Blvd., Sarasota, FL

Front building consists of two 1 BR, 1 BA units. Rear building is a 3 BR, 2 BA unit. Close to beach and shopping. Walking distance to shopping. Upside potential.

425,000

325 Avenida Madera, Sarasota, FL Beaches!, Boating! & Bistros!! This Tropical Paradise in “The Village” has been lovingly updated throughout. BEACHES!- you are a short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach. BOATING!- approx. 72 feet of Canal Front (dredged in 2008) with access to world class fishing and watersports. BISTRO’S!-You are steps away from locally acclaimed dining and entertainment of Siesta Village.

725,000

Tropical Sands Dan D. Miller 941-376-7442 Licensed Real Estate Professional

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Key Stories to Watch in 2017 Yet Commissioners declined to make a decision on the boundary for a Critical Area Plan, and the board requested additional information to better evaluate residents’ concerns. Commissioners received dozens of emails prior to the meeting, and listened to citizens for more than two hours during the public hearing Oct. 11. Residents in the Pine Shores neighborhood — the residential area behind the new development — have voiced concerned about the amount of traffic the center would produce in an already congested season, and privacy issues. In a September email to Siesta Sand, and after seeing the latest, modified plans, Sura Kochman, a resident of the Pines Shore neighborhood and spokeswoman for the Pines Shores Neighborhood Alliance, said, “It seems that Benderson is moving in the right direction by reducing the number of residential units.”

Trolley Time? To trolley or not to trolley? — that is the question. As more and more tourists and visitors come to Siesta, some island representatives and business leaders say a shortage of available parking and the lack of public transportation becomes more problematic. That’s why leaders such as Wendall Jacobsen, general manager of Beach Bazaar and president of the Siesta Key Village Association, and Mark Smith, chair of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce have intensified an effort to push for a county-operated trolley operation on Siesta Key. “It works for other beach communities,” Mark Smith, chair of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce says about trolleys. Jacobsen and representatives from the Siesta Key Association (SKA) and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce have been lobbying for a trolley operation on Siesta Key, an effort that has been ongoing for several years. In July, Siesta Key representatives from SKA, Village Association and the Chamber of Commerce met with Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) representatives

to “try to emphasize to them the importance” of a trolley. SKVA board member Russell Matthes is optimistic. Matthes recently said he is continuing to encourage Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) staff “to go to other communities to see what does work.” He remains hopeful, he continued, that the SKVA and county staff can pick and choose among features of those trolley systems to create one that will offer good service for Siesta Key.

New Daiquiri Deck A new building combing modern architecture and a beachy vibe is under construction on Stickney Point Road and should be constructed by early spring. A new Daiquiri Deck restaurant will anchor the three-story building, filling the top floor — a perch that affords outdoor-deck views of the Intracoastal and Gulf, from some vantages. On the first floor, the building will also house a new coffee shop and retain existing retail space for CB’s Island Outfitters store. The second floor will be used for storage. Construction began in June, and Troy Syprett, managing partner with Daiquiri Deck tells Siesta Sand construction is expected to be completed by mid March. “Everything is going smoothly,” Syprett said. The restaurant will be open in time to catch “the tail end of Spring Break and the Summer season.” The concept for the building was born about two years ago when the co-owners of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters and Island Outfitters store and the co-owners of the Daiquiri Deck local chain of restaurants started talking about a project they hoped would become a destination spot on the south end of the island. Venice-based J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. is the construction contractor on the project, and the architect is Mark H. Smith of Smith Architects.

Beach Road litigation A fight has been simmering on North Beach Road. A group of residents are fighting to prevent Sarasota County from vacating a segment of the road’s public right-of-way.

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After repeated storm damage to a 357-foot segment of the road, county leaders closed it to vehicle traffic in 1993. Contention, however, was ignited 13 years later when the County Commission in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Christine Robinson in the minority, voted, May 11, to abandon the section altogether, turning it over to three couples who own adjacent property. Siesta Key resident Michael Cosentino has led a legal aspect of the fight after filing a lawsuit in June, alleging the Sarasota County Commission violated the county’s Comprehensive Plan in voting on May 11 to vacate a portion of North Beach Road. Cosentino also has been seeking signatures of registered county voters on two amendments to the County Charter. One would rescind the commission’s 4-1 vote to vacate the segment of North Beach Road at the request of three couples who own property on that part of the road, or require the county to buy the property back. The other amendment would make it impossible for a future County Commission to vacate any segment of county road on a waterway.

Improvements at Beach Road and Midnight Pass intersection Changes are coming to the intersection of Beach Road and Midnight Pass. In late summer, the Florida Department of Transportation pleased some residents and business owners when it revealed that the state agency had nixed the most controversial option of a roundabout. Instead, FDOT has chosen an alternative that would add a modified and signalized right turn lane onto Midnight Pass, FDOT project manager David Jones told Siesta Sand. In addition, the project will also add a bike lane through the intersection, improved crosswalks with high reflectivity, as well as a signalized left turn lane onto Midnight Pass from Beach Road. The project is designed to increase pedestrian safety for beachgoers at one of the Key’s

busiest intersections. In addition to the new crosswalk across the northern leg of Midnight Pass and across Beach Road, FDOT is also considering adding a crosswalk at the southern terminus of the intersection.

A modern lift station

Sarasota County plans to decommission the old wastewater plant at the end of Shadow Lawn Drive and replace it with a modern and much smaller lift station. After delays, the $9.1 million project has been extended to June 2018. The county had an order from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that required the failing facility to be shut down by the end of this year. The County Commission approved a contract in 2010 for design and permitting of the pipeline routes. The board amended the contract twice in 2013 to add design and bid services. Last spring, the board voted to add more funds for the engineering phases of the project. But then this April, the timeline changed drastically. County staff said the work required more time. It would take until the end of 2017, at least, to shut down the plant. The County Commission then voted unanimously to extend the project deadline to June 2018. The current treatment plant is a remnant of a previous type of wastewater treatment. It is the only wastewater facility currently in the county that treats water and discharges it into a waterway. In this case, the treated wastewater is released into Grand Canal. It was built before many of the current homes were constructed, says Dave Cash, water/wastewater division manager for Sarasota County. “All the old buildings and old tanks will be removed,” Cash told Siesta Sand back In January, 2015. “You won’t have all the noises, and traffic and chemical trucks coming in and out of there.”

Ocean/Higel Drainage Improvements Sarasota County is removing a stretch of “mosquito ditch” on Ocean Boulevard as part of

a drainage project to alleviate flooding. One main goal of the project, to be completed by the Sarasota County stormwater division, is to alleviate major flooding on Higel Avenue and Reid Street. The project would replace an open drainage ditch on Ocean Avenue with a buried pipe while filtering pollutants and debris from stormwater. Replacing the unsightly “mosquito ditch” on Ocean Blvd. and adding an installed vegetated bioswale would also result in a more aesthetically-pleasing ‘gateway’ into Siesta Village. The Ocean/ Higel Drainage Improvements project would also alleviate the hazard of having a ditch right off the pavement. The project, estimated to cost a maximum of $412,000, would be funded by the county as a stormwater maintenance project. The project is the result of several years of planning.

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House Hunting Siesta Key to Longboat Key • TUSCAN INSPIRED MASTERPIECE ON PALM ISLAND: $779,000 389 Island Circle, Sarasota, FL. MLS# A4110340. 4,134 sq. ft. single family home. 4 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, roof top pool, private spacious in-law/ guest apartment with separate entrance. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • AMAZING WEST OF TRAIL TRIPLEX: $425,000 6151 Hollywood Blvd, Sarasota, MLS#A4141309 Located in the Pine Shores area. Front building consists of two 1bed/1bath units. Rear building is a 3bed/2bath unit. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-3767442 • KEY WEST STYLE GRAND CANAL HOME ON SIESTA KEY: $1,415,000 418 Island Circle, MLS#A3990080 3BD/3BA. Lushly landscaped tropical lot with Tiki Bar in the pool/spa area. Dan Miller, Re/ Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • HOME ON CANOPIED ROAD: $439,900 5206 Winding Way, MLS# A4163466 Fully remodeled home just a short walk to the sugary sands of Siesta Key beach. Single family home located in a canopied neighborhood with new stucco paint and custom woodwork on exterior. New A/C unit and stainless steel appliances. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • DEEDED BEACH ACCESS: $997,000 1122 Horizon View Drive, MLS# A4163952

This immaculate pool home features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3BD/3/5BA with LL bonus area for general living. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-3767442

• 1695 STARLING DR, LANDINGS VILLA $525,000: MLS #A4163378 3Bd/2.5Bth Villa at Eagles Point- spacious and brightmaster downstairs/2 beds and a loft up. Judy Greene/Tara Lamb, Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker, 941350-0451 (Judy) or 941-266-4873 (Tara) • 6234 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD #207, SIESTA DUNES, $868,500: MLS #A4165035 2Bd/2Bth completely updated/ model perfect/great rental history. Judy Greene/Tara Lamb, Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker, 941350-0451 (Judy) or 941-266-4873 (Tara) • 1203 DOCKSIDE PLACE Rarely available. Beautifully furnished 3/3 with 2 master suites. 2,300+ sq ft. A short walk to Siesta Beach. Deeded dock for 35’ boat and garage plus driveway parking. MLS# A4156232, $719,900. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941400-4186. • 1350 SIESTA BAYSIDE Great vacation home or investment property. Deeded beach access just across the street. Beautifully furnished 3/2 with garage. MLS#A4142552, $650,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-5443299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. • PEPPERTREE BAY Direct bay views from this fabulous 2/2 in soughtafter Peppertree community. Tastefully, turnkey furnished. Private garage. MLS# A4149092, $610,000. Key Solutions Real

• 4696 PINE HARRIER DR, THE LANDINGS, $645,000: MLS #A4162558 Family home with 3Bd/2.5 Bth, Caged Lanai and Pool. Judy Greene/Tara Lamb, Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker. 941-350-0451 (Judy) or 941-266-4873 (Tara) • 1445 GULF OF MEXICO, #401, THE PLAYERS CLUB, $949,000: MLS A4123420 Longboat Key Gulf front Penthouse, 3bd/3Bth on the beach in the Players Club. Judy Greene/Tara Lamb, Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker, 941-350-0451 (Judy) or 941-266-4873 (Tara) • 5420 EAGLES POINT CIR #401, THE LANDINGS $599,000: MLS #A4163181 3Bd/2.5Bth Updated Penthouse Condo Intracoastal View. Judy Greene/Tara Lamb, Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker. 941-350-0451 (Judy) or 941-266-4873 (Tara) • 5430 EAGLES POINT CIR #203, THE LANDINGS $899,0000: MLS #4162162 3 Bd plus Den / 4.5 Bth with private garage. Spacious floor plan. Judy Greene/Tara Lamb, Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker. 941350-0451 (Judy) or 941-266-4873 (Tara)

Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941400-4186. • 1372 SIESTA BAYSIDE Intercoastal views and Siesta beach access. Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath vacation or investment property with garage. Turnkey furnished. MLS# A4153479, $549,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group Sheri and Bob Ruiz. 941-544-3299. • THE POINTE Incomparable views of the Gulf and the Bay from this beautifully renovated and furnished 1/1 on the 9th floor. Every amenity including docks and kayak racks and launch. MLS# 4169754, $359,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941400-4186. • THE POINTE Wake to incredible sunrises over the Bay from this fabulously renovated and beautifully furnished 2/2. Tile throughout, granite, stainless, built-ins and great lighting features. MLS# A4165199, $499,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-5443299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. • HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB Minutes walk to Siesta Beach with deeded 40’ boat dock with 10k lift. 3/3 on 2 floors with garage and abundant storage. Beautifully renovated. MLS# A4157104, $749,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-5443299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186 • TURNKEY FURNISHED CONDO

Across the street from the beach, this 2 BD/2 BA has lots of renovations. The Key West style gated property can be a fabulous vacation residence or excellent investment property. 1372 Siesta Bayside Dr. #1372-C, Siesta Key, $575,000 MLS #A4153479 Key Solutions Real Estate, (941)8941255 • TURNKEY FURNISHED TOWNHOME This 3BD/2BA townhome, is totally updated. The gated waterfront community features fabulous recreational facilities, a private boat slip, garage, and is just a short walk to the beach. 1267 Dockside PL #214, Siesta Key, $725,000 MLS #A4155386 Key Solutions Real Estate, (941)894-1255 • SIESTA KEY GEM This 3 BD/2 BA home in the heart of charming Siesta Village features a split floor plan with a loft and cathedral ceilings. House has a large yard (.39 of an acre) perfect for entertaining and relaxing poolside. For investment opportunity, home can rent for $4000-5000 per month. 4868 Featherbed Ln, Siesta Key, $699,999 MLS#A4164700 Key Solutions Real Estate, (941)8941255 • SPECTACULAR BAYFRONT TOWNHOME This 2,326 square foot 3 bed,3 bath Condo with Gourmet kitchen and lots of upgrades has an attached garage, deeded 25’ boat slip with new lift, and is just a short walk to Siesta Key Beach. 1333 Dockside PL # 223, Siesta Key, $999,000 MLS # A4157478 Key Solutions Real Estate, (941)894-1255

Spacious Island Home

Located in the quiet northern end of Siesta Key, this Key West style home is close to just about everything! Enjoy the day on secluded Shell Beach a few streets south!

Surrounded By Water Views

This impeccable condo unit has been beautifully renovated from floor to ceiling. The utmost attention to detail - wood paneled interior doors, a wall of closets in the master, recessed lighting throughout - truly sets this unit apart.

99 ,9 99 $6

,0 99

0 8,

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Secluded Home On Siesta Key

This Siesta Key gem is on quiet street in the heart of charming Siesta Village. Leave the car at home! No worries about parking or traffic. Just the quiet pleasure of winding your way around the village, to the beautiful sandy beach.

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Whispering Sands: a retirement community complete with sunset views and Gulf breezes By Roger Drouin On the north end of the Key, within walking distance to Siesta Village, Whispering Sands is located amid lush landscaping overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Sunset views and Gulf breezes await residents and seasonal renters at this 55-and-up community. Over the past six months, seven units have sold in the luxury residential complex, according to Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Sale prices have ranged from $789,000 to $340,000 for seven two-bedroom condo units in a variety of different buildings on the 25-acre property. The sale price-per-square-foot varied from $615 to $340 a square foot. Whispering Sands is one of only two 55-and-up communities on Siesta, with Siesta Harbor, located midKey, being the second. Whispering Sands’ two strongest attractions for buyers are community’s Gulf of Mexico beachside location and close proximity to the Village, said Realtor Bob Ruiz, with Key Solutions Real Estate, who has listed or sold four units the past several years in the community. “We helped put four families in there recently, and they are all very happy,” he told Siesta Sand. Comprised of two high-rise buildings directly on the beach, three mid-rise buildings overlooking a natural lagoon, and multiple villas with garages and washer/ dryers, the property has a total of 267 units. Amenities include a clubhouse, two pools (one overlooking the Gulf) a Tiki Hut with BBQ grills on the beach, and shuffleboard. “On-site management does a great job of ensuring the property is always at its best,” Ruiz said. “What stands out is the location on the beach and right in the Village, so you have the best of both worlds,” said Debi Burnett, a resident at Whispering Sands since 2013. “My friends come to stay with me and they are just amazed you can walk everywhere,” Burnett told Siesta Sand. The views are another major plus, Ruiz said. “The Views from the high rises are incredible,” Ruiz said. “West-facing, both buildings have the sunset views for which Siesta Key is famous.” In addition, the mid-rise units have water views of the lagoon, and though the villas are not true view units, they certainly can take advantage of the water views — both Gulf and lagoon — on the property, Ruiz noted. Resident Debi Burnett first passed Whispering Sands when she was a vacationer on the Key from Virginia. “I first found Whispering Sands while bicycling in the Village, and I just came in,” she said. “The lushness of the landscaping is what drew me in. It has a very tropical feel.” At the time, Burnett, who was about to retire, then looked at residences throughout Florida. But “I kept coming back to Whispering Sands,” she said. “To me, nothing compared to it,” Burnett said. “It is quite unique.” Whispering Sands is an active community with numerous opportunities for socializing for those so inclined, Ruiz noted. It is a very welcoming environment

with something for everyone,” Ruiz said. “A highly active board and social committee ensure a wide variety of options: fashion show, golf clubs, card games, and pool activities for example.” The community has a two-month minimum rental period. As a result it is not at the top of the list for rental investment properties, however, it does rent very well for those who wish to rent out units for seasonal rentals. “Its location at the beach and within walking distance to the Village make it an extremely desirable rental property,” Ruiz said.

Recent sales: At the top end of sales, a two-bedroom, two-bath unit with 1,282 square feet that was professionally renovated sold for $789,000 in June, 2016. The sale came out to $615 a square foot. The fourth-floor unit has beach views. According to the MLS listing, “This professionally designed renovation features a relaxing coastal palette, ceramic planked floors, custom window treatments, and luxurious, expanded master bath.” The unit also has a new air conditioning system and water heater. In August, a seventh-floor unit with two bedrooms and two baths (at 1,282 square feet) sold for $577,900, or $451 a square foot. The unit, located in the community’s north tower, has unobstructed views of the beach, pool, and the Gulf of Mexico, according to the MLS listing. The eat-in kitchen was renovated. A third-floor unit in one of the mid-rises sold for $340,000, or $268 a square foot, in June. It has two bedrooms and two baths with 1,271 square feet. The well maintained unit offers lagoon views.

Recent listings: • Units are listed for sale, from $869,000 to $345,000. An end unit with views of the Gulf and Lido Key is listed for $790,000, or $540 a square foot, a recently reduced price. Due to it’s perch at the end of the tower on the eighth floor, the unit has windows in the kitchen, dinning room, living room, master bedroom — along with a 26-foot balcony. Ruiz has a two-bedroom, two-bath unit listed for $435,900, or $343 a square foot, in one of the mid-rise building, on Hourglass Way. The 1,271-square foot unit was under contract, as of press time. According to the MLS listing, the unit has mostly porcelain tile throughout, an elegant master bath with a double shower, second bath boating a jetted tub, and kitchen featuring granite and oak finished cabinets. The large lanai looks out on peaceful lagoon views. • A number of Whispering Sands units are also listed for rent on the market. They range from $7,000 to $3,200 a month. A two-bedroom, two-bath unit with lagoon view is available for $3,500 a month, for the winter season. A remodeled two-bedroom, two bath unit on the 8th floor of one of the high rises is renting for $7,000 a month. It has a direct beach view.

Photos courtesy of PIX360

Making Things Happen on Siesta Key...BOB and SHERI RUIZ R

UNDE The Pointe on Midnight Pass

AC R T N CO

UNDE

Harbour Towne Yacht Club

Lovely 1/1 on the 9th floor with incredible water views. Enjoy sunrises and sunsets. Beautifully turnkey furnished, just bring your clothing and you are set. The Pointe affords every amenity including boat and kayak docks. MLS #A4169754 $359,000

Peppertree Bay

Somerset Cove

Ideally located near Siesta Beach and ICW. Large 2/2 end unit with garage and boat dock. Storage and in-unit laundry. Tastefully turnkey furnished MLS #A4128627

Direct bay views from this fabulous 2/2 in sought-after Peppertree community. Tastefully, turnkey furnished. Private garage. MLS#A4149092

Fabulous 4/3.5 home minutes to Beach and Village. 2 car garage, elevator, deeded boat dock with 10k lift. Gated enclave of just 11 homes with community pool.

$449,000

$585,000

MLS#A4145095 $779,000

Your Resident Siesta Key Realtors

Gulf & Bay Bayside

Great beach home, vacation or rental property.Deeded beach access just across the street. 3/2 end unit and 2/2 with water view. Both beautifully renovated and furnished with attached garage MLS #A4142552 $650,000 MLS #A4153479 $549,000

AC R T N CO

Harbour Towne Yacht Club

2 lovely renovated and turnkey furnished 3/3 units are available. Both with deeded docks, garage and abundant storage. A short walk to Siesta Beach. MLS #A4167104 $749,000 MLS #A4156232 $719,900

The Pointe on Midnight Pass Incomparable views of the Bay from this fabulously renovated and furnished 2/2. Tile throughout, granite, stainless, built-ins and great lighting features. Clubhouse, fitness, boat docks, kayak, etc. MLS #A4165199 $499,000

Bob Ruiz 941-544-3299 RobertRuizRR@aol.com Sheri Ruiz 941-400-4186 Sheri Lasley@aol.com www.SiestaKeyNow.com

Key Solutions Real Estate Group

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS • 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 • Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms. Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500 • Siesta Key Realty Rentals, Reservations, and Property Management. Homes and Condos, 1-3 Bedrooms. Serving Siesta Key since 1992. Siestakeyrealtyrentals.com, 941-349-8900.

COMPUTER SUPPORT The

Digital Handyman Computer Support Specialist

In-Home and Remote Support Software Installation and Training Virus Recovery and Security Home and Office Networking

Digital Photograpy and Video Smartphone Configuration Smart TV Configuration Disaster Recovery and Backup

Steve Lombardo

(941)266-5005 www.dhdym.com

support@dhdym.com

ANTIQUES

DENTIST

Scott G. Ames

www.scottamesdmd.com

D.M.D.

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

941-923-1910

Tom The Tech Guy Vintage, Antique, Mid-Century

Relics on the Key

www.relicsonthekey.com relicsonthekey@gmail.com (941) 346-3600 Phone 5049 Ocean Blvd Like us on (941) 346-7600 Fax Relicsonthekey Siesta Key Village

BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS

Having Fun Fishing in The Sun

The Office Park, Suite 101-B 2477 Stickney Pt. Rd. Sarasota, FL 34231

ENTERTAINMENT

Computer Repair, Smartphone and Wireless Configuration and Setup, Printer and TV Installation and Much More!

Thomas J. Smith

941-526-9105

tommy8223@yahoo.com Sarasota and Surround Areas

CONTRACTORS

New Look-

HOUSE WATCH

Reasonable Prices! Shower & Bathtub Walls

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Shower & Bath Makeovers

941-400-2452

Tony Fudoli Sr. CAPTAIN tntfreedomfishing@yahoo.com

Veteran Owned Business

• CB’s Saltwater Outfitters – CB’s Saltwater Outfitters is an ORVIS Endorsed Outfitter Fishing Charter Service serving Siesta Key as well as Longboat Key, Lido Key, Sarasota and Venice. Our veteran guides offer exciting Fishing Adventures for anglers of all ages from novice to the expert. See our website: www.CBsOutfitters.com or stop in their store for additional info. 1240 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key. (941)349-4400.

Free Estimates Call John 941.377.2940

Sarasota resident since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com • Hawk’s Nest Construction Inc. is a certified Class A general contractor licensed in all phases of construction. Owner, Mark Hawkins Sr. personally oversees every aspect of your project from start to finish, using only the best and most reliable licensed artisan and craftsmen. His passion is delighting his clients by turning their home-improvement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-650-9499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com.

(941) 961-4309

www.SuncoastHomeConcierge.com

House Watch Sarasota Licensed and Insured

Affordable and Dependable Service Solution For Your Home While You Are Away

R. BRuce Whittinghill, llc

(941) 955-1864

Call or e-mail

sarasotabruce1@housewatchsrq.com

housewatchsrq.com

for quotes and references

MEDICAL

941-896-6400 www.kathleend.net

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

CARDS & GIFTS

Ellen’s Hallmark For All Your Hallmark Needs Bring In %

OFF

This Ad And Receive TOTAL PURCHASE

Expires 12/24/16

941-365-1444

3800 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, FL 34239 (in the Paradise Plaza)

CLEANING SERVICES

Green Magic Cleaning Service

“Residential and Commercial”

We don’t cut corners, we dust them.

A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

• High quality services • Competitive rates • Great references • Always the same crew www.SarasotaHouseCleaningService.com

www.qualitycountscleaning.com

941.756.1082 Carpet, Tile and Upholstery Cleaning • Free Estimates • Satisfaction Guaranteed • Stain Specialists • Chamber of Commerce Members

J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

Nathaniel Swartz, PA-C

Amy Fenenga PA-C

941.926.7546

www.dermatologyexperts.com

Locally Owned and Operated

• Wilson Windows is a State Certified General Contractor specializing in glass porch enclosures and window replacement. They offer only top quality products installed by professionally trained technicians. All projects are engineered and permitted to meet the new state building codes related to impact, water infiltration and high velocity windload calculations. Their services include window repair, new custom screens, glass cut to size, and hard to find window parts inventory at both locations. Fully insured and their work is guaranteed. 941-921-1113, www. wilson-window.com.

DRY CLEANERS

(941) 780-4248

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

Serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties

GreenMagicCleaning@gmail.com Call for a FREE estimate today!

Place your classified ad here for $6. (15 words) and $.10 for each additional word. Copy must be submitted with payment on or before the 15th of the month prior to publication. For display ads, please call 941-349-0194 for rates.

Dermatology Skin CanCer laSer, Botox anD Hair/nail DiSorDerS

Environmentally Conscious Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service

Free Pick Up & Delivery Service Call

from your home or business

941-275-4647

ExEcutivE Shirt SErvicE • houSEhold itEmS • SamE day SErvicE availablE

Family Practitioners • Pediatrics-Geratrics • Urgent Care

Pierre Nedelcovych, M.D. FAAFP FAAUCM

US 41 Office 941-927-1234 • Siesta Key Office 941-312-6708 www.sarasotamedcenter.com info@sarasotamedcenter.com

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Classifieds / Here’s My Card PART TIME JOBS

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

HELENE M. HYLAND REALTOR®

(941) 685-2274 Cell (941) 349-4411 Office (800) 237-9403 Toll Free (941) 349-8090 Fax HeleneHyland@comcast.net

5145 Ocean Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34242 www.SheSellsSiestaKeySarasota.com

Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

Piro & Associates REALTORS®

Expert in 1031 Exchange

Office: (941) 923-3900 Cell: (941) 356-8699 Fax: (941) 924-0086 mail: piroassociates@comcast.net Website: www.pirorealty.com

James J. Piro, MAI, CCIM Licensed Real Estate Broker

7719 Holiday Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231

• Making things happen on Siesta Key with Real Estate agents Bob and Sheri Ruiz from Key Solutions Real Estate Group. If you are looking to buy or sell on the Key contact us. Bob Ruiz 941-544-3299 RobertRuizRR@aol.com, Sheri Ruiz 941-400-4186 SheriLasley@aol.com • Your Siesta Dunes and Landings Preferred Partners in Real Estate, Judy Greene 941-350-0451 and Tara Lamb 941-266-4873 with Michael Sanders & Company 5100 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key 34242 JudyGreene@MichaelSanders.com

• Siesta Key Bike & Kayak – Located on Siesta Key in Capt Curts FPL – Outage Report ............................ 1-800-468-8243 Village serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach and Sarasota. We offer Marriage License Bureau .........................941-362-4066 bikes, kayak rentals, kayak eco tours, paddleboards and scooters. Poison Info Center ................................ 1-800-282-3171 1224 Old Sickney Pt Rd. 941-346-0891

Sarasota / Bradenton Intl. Airport ...............................

• Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and ......................................................................941-359-2770 pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) .........................

......................................................................941-316-1234 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce ............................... • A Bridge for Independence provides in home companion services including companionship, transportation, light housekeep- ......................................................................941-349-3800 ing, medication reminders and meal preparation and planning. Sheriff / non-emergency .........................941- 861-1601 Call us at 866-279-4390, FL License #230517 Waste Management ..................................941-924-1254

SENIOR SERVICES

TRANSPORTATION

Airport Rides

941.735.4732

From Sarasota To: SRQ $ 30 TPA/St. Pete $105 Punta Gorda $ 70 Miami $250 Orlando $200

Picked up from Airport: $ 40 $125 $ 80 $300 $220

Prices Include Tolls, Fuel & Parking For Airport Pickups your Chauffeur will have a sign with your name on it.

941-928-9200

RIDE THE KEY FREE

15-20 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME (Based upon traffic)

SERVICING

Siesta Key Beach Siesta Village Turtle Beach

DRIVER TIPS ONLY

Use my 30 years of experience to help you with your property.

Visit our website at: SiestaBeachRealty.com Call or email me stevenwhitmore@verizon.com

941-993-5722

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY

941.920.0010 MA34776

Operating 10AM to 2AM Daily

• Sun Ride Pedicab – Eco-friendly Pedicabs. Siesta Key Tours and rides – tips only, 941-343-3400 • Siesta Key Free Rides – Siesta Key Free island shuttle for beach, village, condo and tours – tips only. Electric vehicles. Call 941952-8294 • Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free service on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200. • Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I or taxi. Call 941-735-4732

Transportation for everyone on the Sun Coast Friendliest Ride In Town

3800 Tamiami Trail

(Corner of Bay Street & Hwy 41/Paradise Plaza by Silverberg Jewelry)

• Massage Experience Siesta Key Open 7-day a week. 5138A Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, 941-349-4833. (MA17596/MM6727).

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 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 • The Superior Word Rev. Charlie Garrett Service starts Sunday mornings at 10am. Bring a friend and share in God’s word. 6512 Superior Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231

Stress Buster Massage A Healer’s Touch

Places of Worship

Restaurants and Accommodations

www.JonnysOriginalFreeRide.com

Siesta Beach Realty FLORIDA Steven Whitmore, Broker

Emergency (General) ................................................ 911

• Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with Emergency Animal Clinic ........................941-929-1818 a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta Fishing & Hunting Licenses ....................941-362-9888 Key Village. 941-554-4242 FPL – Florida Power & Light ...................941-917-0708

SARASOTA

Deep tissue massage is our specialty

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

SPORTS RENTALS / ACCESSORIES

• Part time Book Keeper/Receptionist 20-25 hours per week. Processing and paying A/P & A/R invoices. Perform secretarial duties and answer phones. Microsoft word and excel experience required. Please call Davidson Drugs at 941-365-1515 and ask for Deborah.

• First Christian Church 7601 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241. 941-922-4434 www.fccsarasota.com

WANTED TO BUY

RV4CASH MarinerWord Answers to theSearch WORD SEARCHwww.TheMariner.com found on page 37

AY WE PH! CAS

WANTED: Answers from All Motor Homes, 5th Wheels Page 22 and Travel Trailers Any Condition! Cash Paid On The Spot!

Types of Edible 954-789-7530Fish

CALL NOW FOR FAST, EASY SALE

Olde Fashion Barber Shop

Tapers • Flattops • Fades • Styling • Razor Cuts • Shaves

ther”

“Hot La

941-312-6001

South Gate Barber Shop (Across from Southgate Mall)

2081 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239

Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday-Friday 9 AM-6 PM; Saturday 9 AM-4PM

www.SouthgateBarbers.com

ritz”

“For F

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

941.349.0194

Accommodations Locator Map

See our maps of the island online at www.siestasand.net/maps

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

DECEMBER 2016

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

You Never Want to Ignore Constant Dental Pain You May Need a Root Canal Do you know why root canal treatments hurt? Well, they don’t, actually. It’s a trick question. People think they’re painful because of all the pain leading up to the procedure. Obviously, not every bit of discomfort warrants a visit to the dentist, but if you’ve been feeling a constant tooth ache, you probably don’t want to wait too long. So, when do you visit the dentist? Let’s take a look at what the American Association of Endodontists suggests.

except that treatment would extend to the tooth’s roots,” he says.

Why a Root Canal is Sometimes Necessary

1. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

“Root canal treatment is required when the nerves within the tooth’s root have been damaged by trauma or decay,” says Dr. Gaukhman. “To repair this damage, the tooth would need to be treated in almost the exact same manner as a filling,

Pay Attention to Pain When your teeth bother you, this is a signal your body is giving you that something is not right in your mouth. Here are three of the most common symptoms one can experience that may necessitate root canal treatment:

If you’ve experienced a certain degree of gum erosion, you’ve likely also had to deal with sensitive teeth. Some degree of sensitivity is common and in a sense normal. This sort of pain is also transient – meaning the pain doesn’t stick around for more than a few moments.

If it lasts for minutes at a time, or worse, days, you should see your dentist. Persistent discomfort can be an indicator of a loose filling, a small cavity, or the early stages of root trauma.

2. Pressure Sensitivity This type of pain can often be an indicator of a cracked tooth, root trauma or (again) a small cavity. Pressure sensitivities are painful as all-get-out, and biting down on something as soft as a French fry could send you reeling. If you experience this sort of pain, you’ll want to definitely visit the dentist before the problem advances. It’s worth noting that some people experience this sort of sensitivity after dental work. It depends on the individual, but typically this pain goes away in 2-4 weeks IF you have just been to the dentist.

In some individuals, it can take months. Don’t ever wait that long without consulting with your doctor, however. Lingering pain (even after an exam) should be brought to the attention of your doctor after a week has passed. They’ll then fill you in on what your next steps should be.

3. Dull Aches, Pressure, and Constant Pain You’d think if the above three descriptors were a constant companion in one’s daily life, it would prompt a person to pick up the phone and call the dentist. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. And, this is the reason why people say a root canal is painful. Ignoring constant pain and pressure in one’s mouth is not good risk management. Such pain can be caused by an abscess, a serious infection that

can spread to the bone. Infections of this nature can be fatal if not treated, so it’s always important that constant pain and pressure never be ignored. Keep your health and your teeth, by minding your body’s signals. Call today to schedule a free consultation! (941) 234-4455 Sarasota: 5223 Avenida Navarra Sarasota, FL 34242 (941) 266-7000 Osprey: 416 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite F1, Osprey, FL 34229 (941) 497-5650 Venice: 463 US HWY 41 Bypass S., Venice, FL 34285 (941) 375-4488 www.siestadental.com Advertorial

Siesta Sand

DECEMBER 2016

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Island Girl This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island Girl is Lindsey of Sarasota who moved here recently from Detroit. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be attending State College of Florida. Her ultimate goal is to become a marine biologist. Mote Marine is one of her favorite Sarasota locations. She loves to play volleyball, hang out with friends and enjoy life. Lindsey has vacationed here her whole life and made Sarasota her permanent home just weeks ago.

Lindsey If you would like to be considered for our next Island Girl, contact us at islandvp@verizon.net (You must be at least 18 years old to participate)