IV Siesta Sand - February2020

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SIESTA PROMENADE Second District Court of Appeal to consider appeal of Circuit Court decision

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BIG SARASOTA PASS

Addendum to Army Corps of Engineers’ new solicitation for Lido Renourishment Project

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North Shell Road

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Siesta Key Association president defends efforts of North Shell Road homeowners in wake of neighborhood disturbances related to public use of Beach Access 1 In August 2019, the Board of Directors of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) began working with the owners of the property at 3935 N. Shell Road — who are SKA members — to help them with safety issues, SKA President Catherine Luckner told about 80 members of the nonprofit during their regular meeting on Jan. 9.

Luckner disputed what she referred to as a “pretty aggressive narrative that had started” earlier that week. It indicated that those property owners — Greg and Michelle Olson — were trying to limit the public’s right to use Beach Access 1.

“That narrative is absolutely false,” Luckner stressed.

Luckner emphasized that Sarasota County’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR) has no intention of limiting public access to the beach at the end of North Shell Road.

Asked for county comments on that point, Media Relations Specialist Brianne Grant emailed SNL the following statement from Beaches and

Water Access Manager Cindy Turner: “Sarasota County has many public beach access points along our 35 miles of beaches. Siesta Key alone has 13 public beach accesses, including Shell Road or Siesta Beach Access 1, plus Siesta Public Beach and Turtle Beach. The beaches and public beach accesses are open to the public to enjoy. Siesta Public Beach, Turtle Beach, and the 13 Siesta public beach accesses are not private,” Turner added.

However, she continued, “There are also private beaches/properties along Siesta Key adjacent to public beach accesses. Private property owners cannot block access to public beach accesses/ property.”

On Jan. 9, Luckner told the SKA members that, after visiting Beach Access 1, she could assure them that neither the lateral nor the perpendicular public access to the beach had been blocked off by a barrier the Olsons had erected. She encouraged members to take a look at the situation for themselves.

Continued on page 41

Illegal short-term home rentals

Siesta Key and the Sarasota School of Architecture By Philip M. Farrell and Stephen M. Farrell

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Realtor warns the public to be cautious about buying property for investment purposes without checking on zoning restrictions Illegal short-term home rentals remain a concern to Siesta Key residents, as evidenced by comments and questions directed to a Realtor during the Jan. 9 Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting.

County staff is continuing to do its best to address the complaints, SKA directors reported.

And the Realtor himself — Curt Ware of the Keller Williams firm in Sarasota — warned that agents selling property do not always know — or relate — accurate

information about restrictions on parcels.

People looking to invest in a home or condominium that they can live in while on vacation, and then use to earn income through rentals, need to be cautious, he added.

As Ware was providing a general update about transactions on the barrier island, SKA member Michael Holderness, a property owner and manager on the island, took the opportunity to ask the following question.

Continued on page 34

Page 28

area of the island that she would eventually name Sandy Hook. Mary had established her design creativity and visionary planning ability in Kansas City after many European adventures, including education during 1905-06 at the exclusive Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Living in the Montparnasse district, Mary delighted in examining the evolution of the French style and appreciating how it compared with that of other countries.

Consequently, she was very well prepared to express her creativity on the land she bought with its 1000 feet of gorgeous beach frontage and lush tropical vegetation.

Continued on page 46

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Siesta Sounds: An interview with Brian King of the band Rumor Has It

• Village Map/business listings PAGE 24 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 26 • Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 30 • Island Humor PAGE 29 • Accommodations Map/ Listings PAGE 47

“Sarasota in the 1950s was one of the most important places in the world for architectural creativity, where the greatest design movements of the day came together,” as renowned, contemporary architect Carl Abbott states on the Sarasota Architectural Foundation website. We are grateful for Mr. Abbott for sharing his perspectives on the leading architects, their guiding force, and role of Siesta Key. The beginnings can be traced to 1935, at the height of the Great Depression, when Florida properties could be bought at bargain prices and architect Mary Rockwell Hook was attracted by Siesta Key. At the end of a winter visit, she bought 55 acres of pristine land in the northwest

Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota has set his sights on banning smoking on the beaches

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County seeks formal dismissal of litigation over Cosentino’s Charter amendments

Big catch nets record Warsaw Grouper

Happiness Is… New Beginnings January has passed, the month of resolutions and recommitments. How are you feeling? If you’re like most people, your resolutions have probably gone by the wayside. But no worries.

February is a new month. Time for new beginnings. And with leap year we even get an extra day to enjoy it.

Time passing is a good thing. Believe it or not, in Old England February used to be called Kale-monath (kale or cabbage month). But luckily times have changed, and thanks to a tiny little cherub with a bow and arrow, now we celebrate this month with delicious sweet goodness.

Want to fulfill those sweet desires? Abel’s Ice cream on Stickney Point is your local source for amazing gourmet chocolates by Sweet Shop USA. “Sweet Shop USA offers the best hand-crafted chocolates I’ve ever tasted,” said Jerry Williams,

owner of Abel’s. “This family-owned business has been creating their magic for more than forty years and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to share it with someone4you love.” years straight!

Of course, when you come by to find the perfect boxed combination, make sure to satisfy your own sweet craving with one of Abel’s forty delicious ice cream flavors. To celebrate the month of love, Abel’s is featuring Cherry Oblivion (Creamy Black Cherry ice cream loaded with black cherries & luscious liquid chocolate chips) and Strawberry (Creamy Strawberry ice cream with chunks of strawberries and a strawberry swirl.)

“I’m sure of one thing,” Williams added.

“Everyone with a sweet tooth will find something to love here.”

Abel’s Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney

Jerry and Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream

Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza.

Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at our updated website, www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Big Sarasota Pass

FEBRUARY 2020

By Rachel Brown Hackney

responded in a Jan. 6 email: “We had our engineers take a long hard look at the project and they were able to obtain more recent erosion data. Using recent erosion data, it was determined that the project objectives could be met with less sand volume.”

He also explained that that was the reason Borrow Area B in Big Pass was eliminated as a sand source.

Then, after the Jan. 8 addendum appeared, SNL asked USACE spokesman David Ruderman about the higher beach fill figure.

Late on the afternoon of Jan. 10, Ruderman wrote in an email, “The gentleman inadvertently published an earlier, draft version of the cubic yardage of fill to be deposited on Lido Key Beach.”

“It happens,” Ruderman added; “people make mistakes.”

City of Sarasota Engineer Alexandrea Davis Shaw told the SNL the USACE had notified her about the revision, but no one explained the reason for it.

The City of Sarasota was the coapplicant with the USACE for the necessary state permit for the Lido project.

In bids on the first solicitation for the Lido initiative, which the USACE published in the spring of 2019, one company put its expense per cubic yard of sand for the beach fill at $9.40; the other company listed its cost as $16 per cubic yard.

In early August, the USACE cancelled that first solicitation, citing the fact that the only two bids it received were “unreasonably high.” While the USACE had estimated the cost of the project at $14,149,000, the lower bid was $22,135,100. The higher offer was $27,195,725.

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Letter from the publisher

SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Addendum to Army Corps of Engineers’ new solicitation for Lido Renourishment Project raises amount of sand for placement on beach On Jan. 8, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued an amendment to its new solicitation package for the Lido Key Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project. That document included a higher amount of sand to be placed on about 1.6 miles of South Lido Key Beach.

The original solicitation package — published on Dec. 17, 2019 — called for 590,000 cubic yards of sand from Big Sarasota Pass. That was about a 38% reduction from the original plan for 950,000 cubic yards noted in documents the USACE had filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The Jan. 8 addendum raised the figure to 710,000 cubic yards, which would be close to 75% of the original amount.

The addendum included a revised engineering drawing, as well, showing the specifications for the beach fill and the southern project limits. A SNL comparison of the engineering drawing in the Dec. 17, 2019 package and the revised version found that the seaward edge of the flat beach berm had been extended 65 feet seaward of the construction baseline (CBL), instead of 50 feet, on a more southern section of the project.

Immediately after the new solicitation package was published, — during the holidays — SNL was unable to reach a USACE spokesman to ask about the reduction in the beach fill to 590,000 cubic yards.

In early January, SNL was able to pose its question to Trisston Brown, chief of the Florida Projects Section for the Water Resources Branch of the USACE in Jacksonville. He

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During the Jan. 9 Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, Director Robert Luckner told the audience members, “I know the people on Sandy Hook are very happy” that Borrow Area B is no longer part of the Lido renourishment project plans.

Its removal, he said, means no dredging in the area of the boat channel people use to reach the Gulf of Mexico. “That is a victory.”

The USACE’s new solicitation includes just two borrow areas — or cuts — D and C, though the federal agency last spring eliminated the northern portion of C in its first solicitation package.

Luckner pointed out during the Jan. 9 SKA meeting that the dredging plans for the remainder of Borrow Area C call for the cut to be 500 feet wide and 15 feet deep, “right through the middle of the Big Pass shoal where all the waves break out there.”

A second change SNL found in the Jan. 8 addendum to the new solicitation updated the due date for bids. The federal government website where the solicitation was advertised originally said offers “to perform the work required” were due by Jan. 23. The addendum said they are due electronically by 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 to the USACE’s Jacksonville Contracting Division.

Additionally, instead of bidders allowing the federal government 60 days to accept an offer, the addendum cut that in half, to 30 days.

Asked why the due date for contractor responses was pushed back to Feb. 13, USACE spokesman Ruderman explained that that is part of the effort to entice companies to bid.

Continued on page 41

Dear Readers, We are excited to be the new owners of Siesta Sand! In taking over from Bob and Emy Stein, we are keenly aware that we have big shoes to fill. Fortunately, we have gotten to know and work closely with Bob and Emy over the past year, and we respect all of the hard work that they have put into making the paper what it is today. We are truly indebted to them for their generosity and guidance during the transition of the paper. We will strive to live up to their high standards and to carry forth their vision.

Our passion for Siesta Key as a home and a destination for visitors from around the world is what sparked our interest in Siesta Sand.

Accordingly, we will work to ensure that Siesta Sand remains the leading voice for Siesta Key, reporting on and advocating for issues affecting the island. We also understand the importance of the paper to island visitors and are committed to maintaining it as the #1 visitor resource.

We are also advocates for continuous improvement. To that end, we would love to hear from our readers, both residents and visitors alike, about the things that make Siesta Sand great and any suggestions for improvement. Reach out to us at info@27statemedia.com. In the meantime, we look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

See you around the island!

Brion Palmer + Todd Zerega

Palmer Family

Zerega Family

Call for tributes to Bob & Emy Stein Bob and Emy Stein are responsible for the role the Siesta Sand has in life on the Key. Their commitment and dedication to serving their audience with great content and their advertisers with quality customer service has made Siesta Sand the undeniable #1 paper and resource for residents and island visitors.

We want to thank Bob & Emy for their passion, work, and commitment to this endeavor. We realized that perhaps many of you would like to thank them in a public forum, too. So, send us your tribute (comments) to info@27statemedia.com and please use Bob & Emy in the subject line. We will publish all tributes in a special section of the newspaper in the March 2020 issue. We need to receive all tributes by February 12th to be included in that issue.

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Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

Financial Focus It might not have made the headlines, but a recently passed piece of legislation could affect the IRAs and 401(k)s of millions of Americans beginning in 2020. So, if you have either of these accounts, or if you run a business, you’ll want to learn more.

The new laws, collectively called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, include these noteworthy changes: • Higher age for RMDs – Under current law, you must start taking withdrawals – known as required minimum distributions, or RMDs – from your traditional IRA and 401(k) or similar employersponsored plan once you turn 70 ½. The new law pushes the date to start RMDs to 72, which means you can hold on to your retirement savings a bit longer.

• No age limit for traditional IRA contributions – Previously, you could only contribute to your traditional IRA until you were 70 ½, but under the SECURE Act, you can now fund your traditional IRA for as long as you have taxable earned income.

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Look for Changes in Retirement Plans

• Limitation of “Stretch IRA” provisions – Under the old rules, beneficiaries were able to stretch taxable RMDs from a retirement account over his or her lifetime.

Under the SECURE Act while spouse beneficiaries can still take advantage of this “stretch” distribution, most non-spouse beneficiaries will have to take all the RMDs by the end of the tenth year after the account owner passes away. Consequently, non-spouse beneficiaries who inherit an IRA or other retirement plan could have tax implications due to the need to take larger distributions in a shorter timeframe.

• No early withdrawal penalty for IRAs and 401(k)s when new child arrives. Typically, you must pay a 10% penalty when you withdraw funds from your IRA or 401(k) before you reach 59 ½. But now, with the new rules, you can withdraw up to $5,000 from your retirement plan without paying the early withdrawal penalty, as long as you take the money within one year of a child being born or an adoption becoming final.

Some provisions of the SECURE

Act primarily affect business We encourage you to contact your owners: financial advisor, tax professional • Multi-employer retirement and estate planning attorney to plans – Unrelated companies assess the potential impact on can now work together to offer your investment strategies and employees a 401(k) plan with less determine any possible tax and administrative work, lower costs estate planning implications of the and fewer fiduciary responsibilities SECURE Act. Advertorial than individual employers now encounter when offering their own retirement plans.

• Tax credit for automatic enrollment – The new law provides a tax credit of $500 for some smaller employers who set up automatic enrollment in their retirement plans. And a tax credit for establishing a retirement plan has been increased from $500 to $5,000.

Joe St.Onge, ChFC® • Use of annuities in 401(k) plans – It will now be easier for employers Financial Advisor to consider including annuities as Edward Jones Investments an investment option within 401(k) plans. Previously, many businesses 5112 Ocean Blvd., avoided offering annuities in these Siesta Key, FL 34242 plans due to liability concerns (941)-346-0560 phone related to the annuity provider, but (941)-320-4030 mobile the new rules should help reduce Joe.StOnge@edwardjones.com these concerns.

The SECURE Act is the most This article was written by Edward Jones significant change to our retirement for use by your local Edward Jones Financial savings system in over a decade. Advisor.

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Island Chatter Staff Report Breeze ridership remains strong The Siesta Key Breeze open-air trolley completed the final quarter of the 2019 calendar year with strong numbers, based on the data Lisa Potts, communications specialist with Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), has provided to The Sarasota News Leader.

The figures follow for those three months: • October — 20,435.

• November — 25,440.

• December — 25, 204.

In the late fall of 2018, Siesta — like other county areas dependent on tourism — was struggling with the aftermath of graphic national publicity about the red tide bloom. The county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) — or “bed tax” — revenue was down close to $145,000 from October 2017 to October 2018, according to data from the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office.

The revenue dropped again from November 2017 to November Continued on the next page

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Island Chatter

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Continued from the previous page

2018 — a decline of almost $57,000, the Tax Collector’s Office noted.

Finally, by December 2018, the TDT revenue showed a small climb. The final report for the county’s 2019 fiscal year — which ended on Sept. 30, 2019 — showed the December 2018 revenue up $10,020.86, compared to the amount collected in December 2017, the Tax Collector’s Office reported.

With far fewer visitors on the Key in late 2018, the News Leader did not routinely request Breeze ridership figures.

However, in the trolley’s first year of operation — 2017 — SCAT told the News Leader that the trolley had 8,793 riders in October and 15,443 in November.

For another comparison, in July 2017, the Breeze recorded 25,506 riders. Given the traditional influx of visitors over the July Fourth holiday, Siesta is a very busy place for at least part of that month.

Still, the ridership numbers for November and December of 2019 did not miss that July 2017 mark by much.

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Great turnout for the 7th Annual Andrew Monroe Memorial Run/Walk

From Left to Right: Shawn Johnson, Male Overall, Stacey Monroe, Race Director and Heather Butcher, Female Overall.

There were over 400 participants that supported the 7th Annual Andrew Monroe Memorial 5k Run/Walk that was held on our beautiful white sand Siesta Beach on Sunday, January 5.

The race is in memory of a life taken to soon in 2011. The funds generated from this 5K and walk produce scholarships to senior soccer, track athletes and JROTC cadets at Riverview High School.

Continued on page 16

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Banning smoking on the beaches

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Once again, Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota has set his sights on banning smoking on the beaches. For the 2020 session of the Legislature, however, he is taking a different tack from the one he followed for the 2019 session.

Instead of trying to achieve a statewide ban, Gruters’ new measure would allow counties and municipalities to restrict smoking within the boundaries of public beaches and public parks that the local governments own.

Senate Bill 670 also would prohibit smoking in state parks.

The bill specifies, “Municipalities may further restrict smoking within the boundaries of public beaches and public parks that are within their jurisdiction but are owned by the county if doing so would not conflict with a county ordinance.”

The bill does point out that the regulation of smoking is the state’s purview.

It was filed on Oct. 25, 2019, with state Sen. Debbie Mayfield,

Florida State Sen. Joe Gruters

a Melbourne Republican, as cosponsor.

On Jan. 6, Gruters’ bill was put on an upcoming Senate Community Affairs Committee agenda, Florida Senate records showed. Earlier — on Dec. 13, 2019 — it was referred to the Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee.

Companion legislation — House Bill 457 — was filed by state Rep. Chip LaMarca, a Republican who lives in Lighthouse Point. On Nov. 7, 2019, it was referred to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee, the Health Quality Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee, legislative records show.

If the measure passes this year, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it into law, it would take effect on July 1, Florida Senate records say.

A report of the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy notes that of all the trash collected during its 2017 International Coastal Cleanup, cigarette butts held the top spot, with a count of 2,412,151. As the report put it, that was enough butts to line the distance of five marathons.

The results of the organization’s 2018 International Coastal Cleanup again had cigarette butts at the top of the list. That year, however, the total reported was more than double the 2017 figure. The butts in 2018 added up to 5,716,331.

The Ocean Conservancy created an app called Clean Swell, “which allows volunteers to upload cleanup data in real-time to the world’s largest debris database,” its website explains.

Last year, Gruters’ smoking ban bill was referred to four Senate committees, but none of them scheduled a hearing on it.

The 2020 Florida legislative session began on Jan. 14 and will end on March 13. The early start reflects the fact that 2020 is a Presidential Election year.

March 3 will be the last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings, according to the Florida Senate’s calendar.

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Did You Know Siesta Key has a GEMSTONE?

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It’s no secret that the sand on Siesta Key Beach is composed of 99% pure quartz. The crystalline white sand of Siesta Key is luxurious, soft, white and cool to the touch 365 days a year. This is why our beloved beach has been revered as one of the most beautiful in the world. Wanting to capture the experience and essence of Siesta Key beach was the goal of the proprietor of Silver City, Monica.

“Tourists always wish they can somehow take their vacation memories with them,” so with this in mind, Silver City designed the Siesta Key Watercolor GemstoneTM. They were able to capture the colors of Siesta Key’s blue/ green water and put it into a quartz gemstone.

This quartz gemstone is a fusion of the tropical colors that surround us. Just looking into the clear, beautiful gemstone will transport you back to our island paradise representing the sea, sky and beautiful sand of Siesta Key Beach.

Silver City has now become a “Must Stop” destination for tourists (Currently named #1 shopping destination on TRIP ADVISOR on Siesta Key). Shining brightly among the cases of this uniquely mirrored store lies the much raved about Siesta Key Watercolor GemstoneTM. Every jewelry piece is designed and made by Silver City Sarasota. The staff of Silver City Sarasota are very proud of their unique collection and variety of designs in sterling silver and in 14K gold.

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FEBRUARY 2020

Siesta Promenade

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www.siestasand.net

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Second District Court of Appeal to consider appeal of Circuit Court decision upholding County Commission approval Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal announced on Jan. 8 that it would hear an appeal of a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge’s Dec. 2, 2019 order denying an attempt to block the construction of the mixed-use Siesta Promenade project.

The Court of Appeal gave Sarasota County, Benderson Development Co. and Benderson affiliate, Siesta 41 Associates LLP 30 days to reply to the appeal filed on Jan. 2 by the attorney for Sura Kochman, a resident of Pine Shores Estates in Sarasota.

Benderson Development created the project, but the official developer is Siesta 41 Associates.

The companies were allowed to intervene in the Circuit Court case.

As a homeowner in the community immediately adjacent to the Siesta Promenade site — which is in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road — Kochman had fought the intensity of the proposal prior to the County Commission’s Dec. 12, 2018 split vote to approve it.

Siesta Promenade would have 414 condominiums/apartments, a 130-room hotel standing 80 feet tall, 133,000 square feet of retail space and 7,000 square feet of office space.

In his Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed with the Court of Appeal, Ralf Brookes of Cape Coral, Kochman’s attorney, seeks the quashing of the Circuit Court order, saying Kochman “was denied procedural due process and the Lower Court did not apply the correct law.”

In regard to the latter situation,

Brookes pointed out, Kochman’s appeal would have to “demonstrate that the Circuit Court Order violated a clearly established principle of law, resulting in a miscarriage of justice… Case law indicates that the Court of Appeal has a degree of flexibility and discretion in determining whether the Lower Court overlooked sources of established law or applied an incorrect analysis of the law it considered, resulting in fundamental error,” he wrote.

Brookes added that because of the location of her home, Kochman “will be adversely affected by increased height, increased density and increased intensity and use of Siesta Promenade’s approximately 24-acre site and corresponding increase in traffic.”

Along with the hotel, one residential building in the development would stand 65 feet tall, while another would be 50 feet high, both close to the single-family homes in Pine Shores Estates.

County Commissioner Charles Hines questioned that design in opposing the CAP designation for the property.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) staff also raised concerns over the years of planning for Siesta Promenade, given the expectation that the development would add more than 8,000 vehicle trips a day to the already congested area of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. FDOT engineers cited the already high crash data for that intersection, as well.

Brookes further noted in his petition to the Court of Appeal that Kochman would be “affected

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by traffic going to and from the proposed large development” on Glencoe Avenue in Pine Shores Estates “and on other neighborhood streets and roads in the immediate vicinity,” including Stickney Point Road.

He cited a 1987 Florida Third District Court of Appeal decision and a 1999 Florida Second District Court of Appeal decision in making his arguments about her standing in the case.

Kochman filed her lawsuit against Sarasota County in January 2019.

In December 2019, Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh ruled that the County Commission had acted appropriately in approving petitions filed with the county to make Siesta Promenade feasible as designed.

However, McHugh also explained that she could not consider the primary argument that Kochman attorney Brookes had put forth in her complaint: that the County Commission had not followed county procedures and policies for approving a Critical Area Plan (CAP) designation for Siesta Promenade. The CAP status gave Benderson the right to build up to 25 dwelling units per acre, instead of the standard 13 dwelling units per acre for projects on property zoned Commercial General — which is the zoning Benderson sought for the entire site. Benderson’s director of development, Todd Mathes, told the county commissioners that the actual density would be slightly higher than 20 units per acre.

Kochman’s Circuit Court complaint was a Petition for Writ

Remodeling

of Certiorari, McHugh pointed out. However, that could not be applied to the CAP argument, she wrote in her December 2019 order.

Yet, in the appeal, Brookes cited a 2005 opinion of the Second District Court of Appeal to dispute McHugh’s decision. Quoting from that 2005 judicial precedent, he wrote that the Sarasota County Commission did not “have the power to ignore, invalidate or declare unenforceable” county regulations regarding CAP adoption procedures, even though the Dec. 12, 2018 hearing during which the board approved the CAP was quasi-judicial. The latter term means the proceeding was similar to a court case in that the commissioners had to base their decisions on evidence and testimony.

Other facets of the appeal Among other arguments in his petition, Brookes pointed out — as he did in the Circuit Court case — that the County Commission’s

approval of the plans for Siesta Promenade was predicated upon FDOT’s approval of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Avenue B and C, which is located between the U.S. 41 intersection and a drawbridge on Stickney Point Road. That bridge, he stressed, stands on “one of only two entrances to Siesta Key.” Yet, he continued, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on days during the height of tourist season, “This segment of Stickney Point Road is very frequently ‘stop and go’ with backups in both directions on U.S. 41 and on Midnight Pass Road North and South of Stickney Point Road.”

On another point, Brookes argued that Siesta 41 Associates did not apply for Special Exceptions for the increased density and increased height associated with the design of Siesta Promenade, and it also did not seek a Special Exception as required under county regulations for the addition of standalone multifamily residential structures on property zoned Commercial General.

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We’ve Moved!

We have outgrown our Siesta Key home of 37 years!

Come visit our new retail shop & expanded wedding & event design studio!

Are you tired of looking in the mirror thinking to yourself - a little nip here, maybe a tuck there would really help shave some years off of your face? But besides the cost, you think of the amount of time needed to recuperate and wonder how much pain is involved, so your logical self dismisses the thought.

Instead, you buy more lotions and potions hoping to wake up to a younger you. But, it hasn’t worked yet, has it?

Spa Experience Siesta Key offers a realistic alternative solution that’s safe and non-invasive called micro-current facial sculpting. It’s the new non-surgical “facelift” that requires no downtime or recovery time, has no risk of complications, is far less expensive, and above all gives instant results.

How it works The gentle and 100% noninvasive treatment works in synergy with your body’s natural energy system. It sends safe, painless impulses to the muscles in the face to relax muscles that are overly tightened and strengthen those that are under-worked with very low levels of electrical current.

During this luxurious and relaxing treatment, jaw lines get tighter, eyebrows lift and crow’s

feet are reduced. You will see the results after just one treatment however multiple treatments are recommended for the most visible and longer lasting results.

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process without harming the skin.

Owner, Connie Lewis uses the Pevonia Botanica product line exclusively. The combined use of Pevonia Botanica’s ultimate anti-aging products allow for maximum product penetration.

Spa Experience Siesta Key is conveniently located at L’Core Paris Spa in the Westfield Siesta Key Mall, 3501 South Tamiami Trail.

Spa Experience Siesta Key is open 6-days-a-week year round, and 7-days-a-week in season.

Appointments may be made online at www.spaexperiencesiestakey. com or by calling 941-350-7495.

(MA Lic#17596 /MM Lic#40045) (Advertorial)

Results Aesthetic benefits of the micro current machine includes softer skin, improved circulation, enhanced muscle function and balance, reduced appearance of fine lines, and enhanced natural production of collagen and elastin.

It is particularly effective in treating acne as it destroys the bacteria, while encouraging the healing

Connie Lewis, BS, LMT, Aesthetician and owner established Massage Experience, Siesta Key in June of 1996. She attended 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.”

New location

6119A Clark Center Ave. • Sarasota , Fl 34238 941.349.9212 Flowersbyfudgie.com

Your Go-To Store on the Island Morton’s Siesta Market is your one-stop shop for easy island living. We offer a large selection of staple groceries, beer and wine, as well as fresh produce, meats and seafood.

In keeping with our Morton’s tradition, we also carry a delicious array of prepared foods, perfect for take-out, picnics, parties and more.

Please stop in and say hello!

205 Canal Road, Siesta Key • 941-349-1474 • MortonsMarket.com

VISIT OUR SIESTA VILLAGE LIQUORS JUST NEXT DOOR!

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Why Sarasota County Commissioner’s “do-nothing approach” is the biggest threat to our beaches, beach access, and our water-quality

By Michael Holderness “Just in my opinion” (FAILING to stop the conflicts between property owners and public) (FAILING to combat illegal rentals; intensity is causing beach closures) (FAILING to support our Sheriff and protect his Deputies; left in compromising positions) (FAILING to protect our beach marine life and water-quality from total destruction)

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ON SIESTA KEY SARASOTA COUNTY FLORIDA

Unlike Lido’s interest in protecting beach tourism, the City has made beach renourishment its preferred means of combating erosion. Even caused it themselves https://www.vox.com/2018/12/10/18125945/beach-erosion-nourishment-coastalengineering-rebuilding-beaches *What is known as Siesta Key Beach has NEVER been nourished and man-made Lido has been re-nourished with taxpayer funds over a dozen times.

Siesta Key is an 8-mile long, crescent-shaped barrier island off the southwest coast of the U.S. located between Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota, but the majority of the key is in Sarasota County. According to TripAdvisor, it is #1 Travelers’ Choice™ Top 25 Beaches in the United States; and the AARP’s # 1 Beach – Best Beaches in the World 2015; a USA Today Reader’s Choice Top Beaches in Florida; and #1 Beach – Dr. Beach in 2011.

In 1954, Sarasota County first purchased property on the key for a public beach, known as Siesta Key Public Beach. Turtle Beach was later added as a Public Beach in south Siesta Key. According to 2010 census, the total population of Siesta Key is 6,565; but tracks millions of day-visitors not staying on Siesta Key. Siesta Key is the most visited tourist destination in Sarasota and Sarasota County’s #1 driver; Per Visit Sarasota 53% of ALL guests visiting Sarasota County visit Siesta Key (and not including the estimated 1,000+ illegal rentals, VRBO & Airbnb). Siesta Key is known as a donor community for the county as it also collects 1/3 of the county taxes (Fiscal Year 2007 (Oct 2006-Sept 2007) the total collections were $8,509,417; For the Fiscal Year 2017 (Oct 2016-Sept 2017) the total collections were $21,257,596).

The growth of population and the large number of tourists in recent years have created lots of problems on Siesta Key which is outlined below: • Limited Public Beach Areas: in terms of the public beach area, Sarasota County is one of the lowest ranking coastal counties in Florida. With less than 20 percent of their sandy beaches in public ownership, the county falls significantly short of the statewide average of 40 percent. However, the county invites the public to use 100% of the beach.

• High Number of Beach Access Points: A total of 13 “Public Beach” Accesses signs are on Siesta Key, all of which are privately owned land and used as a public access Right of Way (ROW). Siesta Key is considered very high for the number of access points.

• Limited County-Owned Public Beaches: Among the 8-mile long shoreline, the County only owned the Siesta Key Public Beach that was purchased in 1954, and Turtle Beach. The number of Public Beaches owned by the County is very low; County has failure rating so, are inciting conflicts between Property owners and Beachgoers.

• Illegal Short-term Rentals: A Large number of visitors every year have created economic opportunities for Siesta Key, but also created problems such as illegal short-term rentals, inadequate funding for cleaning and beautification. Short-term illegal rentals have caused problems such as loud noise, inadequate parking, strangers in SK neighborhoods, garbage collection, infrastructure intended for residential use and decreased property values etc.

HERE IS WHY IT WAS NEVER A SAND WAR and NOT ‘ALL’ ABOUT THE SAND:

Despite the problems on Siesta Key, Sarasota County has done little to solve the problems and improve the lives of the Siesta Key residents Currently, Sarasota County has: • No short-term rental permitting for RSF. • Inadequate policing on the key.

• Inadequate funding for cleaning and beautification.

• No purchase of private property for public beach and beach access.

• Continue to reinforce coastal setback code to limit private owners right to develop their beachfront properties.

• Did not stop Big Pass Dredging project day one and by their lack of actions, the county commission is supporting Lido Beach Nourishment project that has the potential to erosion Siesta Key beaches.

Therefore, Siesta Key residents request Sarasota County Government do the following immediately to correct the problems and improve the lives of their residents that elected them: • Implement Short-term Permitting to stop illegal rentals: Several Florida cities and counties have already implemented and found several short-term rental ordinances such as Jacksonville Beach, Miami-Dade, and Fort Lauderdale. There are other cities/counties that have similar short-term rental regulations such as Monroe, Orange County, Delray Beach etc. Sarasota County should act immediately to catch up with other cities/counties. *THIS PRACTICE DOES NOT VIOLATE STATE REQUIREMENTS. *Only makes it harder to rent illegal rentals.

• Increasing Purchase of Private Land for Public Beach and Beach Access: Sarasota County has not purchased any waterfront private land for Public Beach and Beach Access for a very long time. Due to the increasing number of residents and tourists, Sarasota County should fund to increase the purchase of private land for Public Beach and Beach Access.

• We the public deserve better. Owners and invited guests of the owner tend to take care of the beach. The public beach is a privilege therefor beachgoers tend to respect it.

Owner Liability, self-policing the beach, picking up everyone’s trash, filling holes, beach grooming, beach dunes being trampled and so on is a lot to handle without an owner even having any ‘right to quiet enjoyment’ or ‘rules’ on their land. Between dealing with “Reopen Beach Rd” shenanigans and county not helping to HALT the dredging of Siesta Key (critical fish estuary that combats City sewage few red tide); Stressed and no help protecting our marine lives’ seagrasses that protect our crucial water-quality has come to a boiling point.

• Increase Public Service Activities on the key: Sarasota County shall increase public service activities on the key such as increased number of Deputies on the beach to better protect public safety and welfare (2006 SK had 8 deputies and 1 SGT; 2020 only 4 and 1 SGT); increase number of county staff to stop illegal rentals; increase funding for village beautification to attract more tourists, and stop funding to Lido Key Beach Nourishment Project etc.

By doing nothing the county is causing conflicts and owner liability. By purchasing land for public use parks and recs rules can be implemented which means our sheriff has the mechanism to property police our beaches.

Following a prior City dredging project (using a 1993 IMP and no EIS); and They dredged the wrong area Lido was left unstable. That lead to a loss of 460,000 cubic yards of sand to avulsion. (when you remove the Ebb Shoal and steal the sand source = Beach disappear at an alarming rate.

Between then and now: Lido’s southern shoal has gained millions of cubic yards from “Lido beach” and LBK’s dredging projects. Then in 2019, the city harvested 186,000 cubic yards from New Pass for Lido.

Did the math = Only 260,000.00 cubic yards needed to make the man-made private beach on Lido “whole”, and this volume is confirmed by the City’s partner USACOE, Jan 2019! THIS IS FACT and viable beach compliant sand had been awaiting since day 1 in the FDEP approved offshore site (where lido has gone before).

(The additional 500,000 cubic yards, is to extend private beach out to 200’ (but again, D3 holds 2MM and off-shore holds all but they want taxpayers to foot the bill) and the proposed added groin will block public access and complete erode Ted Sperling Park was reported by ACOE. Currently, Lido loses 60k year, with a groin it will raise to 100k for S. Lido Park. 60k+ bi-passes Lido yearly i.e. Lido has finally stabilized, and Red Tied Tom Barwin wants to destroy it so to develop NOW!!)

1. Barwin wants taxpayers to pay for a private beach that previously posted “No Trespassing.”

2. NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR CONDITIONAL PERMIT! ALL DATA can be used in civil court i.e. Barwin is trying to stick everyone else and be tied to nothing.

3. There is 2MM cubic yards off Lido in Cut D3. That is in addition to more than enough Beach Compliant Sand in the FDEP already approved offshore harvest site that the City can have today. The city Manager merely needs to give ACOE the direction to go there. *Sand source has been available for YEARS. Map of Big Pass Sand STEALING-Areas off of Siesta Key: http://siestakeyassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BIG-PASS-SANDBORROW-AREA-OFFSHORE-OF-SIESTA-KEY.jpg Barwin ERODED LIDO and is the ONLY and PERSON holding up Lido’s sand delivery.

You’ll also realize, as I have, why they want to extend Lido out to 200’. That’s not all.

USACOE show the wave heights would be DOUBLE on AVERAGE hitting our beaches.

Actual in a hurricane-prone area was too catastrophic for the hurricane model to calibrate successfully and did NOT show FONSI. Continued on page 20 This space is paid for by Siesta Key resident and business owner, Mike Holderness

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Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

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County seeks formal dismissal of litigation over Cosentino’s Charter amendments

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

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A motion filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court seeks the formal dismissal of litigation over two Sarasota County Charter amendments that Siesta Key resident Michael Cosentino wrote, which won passage in the November 2018 General Election.

A Feb. 18 hearing was set scheduled for arguments on that motion.

In an Oct. 28, 2019 ruling, Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll struck one Charter amendment — 3.9.

He agreed with the Office of the Sarasota County Attorney and property owners on North Beach Road that that amendment contravened the Florida Statutes. It would take away powers the state has invested with local government boards.

Carroll also used his order to direct that the first sentence of the second amendment — 3.10 — be severed from the rest of that

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6639 Midnight Pass Rd, Crescent Plaza Siesta Key’s Best Fish Market

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amendment.

Section 3.9 of the Sarasota County Charter called for the county either to rescind a May 2016 County Commission decision to vacate a 373-foot-long portion of North Beach Road or to re-acquire the segment.

The first sentence of Section 3.10 prohibited the county from selling its ownership of parks and preserves and forbid the vacation of any county-owned “road segments or rights of way along or abutting any beach, river, creek, canal, lake, bay, gulf access or waterfront vista.”

Carroll characterized the remainder of Section 3.10 as “an encouragement to maximize rightsof-way use for public access and viewing waterfront vistas.” That part of the amendment also says, “Whenever feasible, the County shall make these areas accessible to mobility impaired persons.”

Cosentino has explained in numerous public forums that he wrote the amendments as a secondary means of trying to reverse the North Beach Road vacation. Additionally, he has advocated for greater public access to the county’s shoreline and has admonished the County Commission for not directing staff to make a greater effort to make it much easier for physically challenged people to enjoy the public beaches.

In June 2016, Cosentino filed a Circuit Court complaint against the county over the North Beach Road vacation, but he has lost all but one portion of that case. The only remaining argument involves his claim that he should be able “to drive his vehicle on North Beach Road between Columbus Boulevard and Avenida Messina.”

In September 2016, he bought property at 10 Beach Road, which is “465 feet north of the vacated segment of Beach Road,” his thenattorney, Ralf Brookes of Cape Coral, pointed out in the second amended complaint filed in early February 2017 in that case.

Brookes added that because Sarasota County staff “allowed bollards and obstructions to private and public traffic to be placed on both ends of the vacated segment of Beach Road,” Cosentino has been prevented from using that stretch “for thoroughfare purposes.”

Although motor vehicles are not allowed on the vacated portion of the road, it is open to the public, including as a means of access to the beach. Signage adjacent to the bollards makes that clear.

Last year, McHugh formally combined the Charter amendments litigation with the original lawsuit over the road vacation.

Typically, McHugh has taken a number of weeks — in some cases, several months — to rule on litigation after conducting hearings. Because of an emergency involving her family last fall, Judge Carroll ended up presiding over a hearing that led to his ruling on the Charter amendments part of the Cosentino cases.

Continued on page 41

Big Water Fish Market & Restaurant

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Siesta Sand

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Siesta Key Notes Debuts at BLVD Beachwear Birds that make Siesta Key home have “landed” on a new line of handmade note cards, Siesta Key Notes, from professional photographer Jan Baumgartner, a visitor to Siesta Key since 2009.

Baumgartner’s Siesta Key Notes features images of native birds reproduced as high-quality prints with a UV coating on archival lustre paper. Each print is attached to the face of the note card with clear photo corners instead of glue to protect the integrity of the print.

A piece of hand-trimmed writing paper is fastened inside each card.

The back of the card provides a wealth of information including a map of Siesta Key and a vivid description of the bird.

The “A-ha” moment for Baumgartner in developing her line of note cards occurred during her visit to the island last spring.

She went looking to purchase note cards that featured photos of Siesta Key. “Gift shops on the Key and around Sarasota offer lovely postcards, calendars, and books with Siesta Key vistas,”

said Baumgartner. However, I couldn’t find any keep-and-frame photographs of Siesta Key wildlife to share with family and friends in a note card size.”

Baumgartner takes great pride in the patience required to create a stunning photograph of one of her subjects. She doesn’t use food or other inducements to capture her subjects. Her most effective way to get the picture she wants, “patience.”

“I have found it is possible to casually approach coastal birds resting on the sand, foraging in the waves, sunning on the rocks, and congregating on man-made breakwaters for a closer look,” said Baumgartner. Then, I just need to wait to get the picture I want.”

Siesta Key Notes can be found at BLVD Beachwear in Siesta Key Village. Owner of BLVD Beachwear, Carmen Rouse, provided Baumgartner with support and guidance to further the development and refinement of the product line that is customdesigned for the Siesta Key audience.

Ask us about our many “products with a purpose!”

“Carmen took a genuine interest in my concepts and samples and offered me encouragement and ideas based on what she knows Siesta Key shoppers want,” said Baumgartner. “Her help was invaluable, and she offered me an open invitation to debut Siesta Key Notes at her store for the 2019 holiday season and upcoming high season.”

What inspired Rouse to make such a generous offer to an unknown artist with no merchandising experience?

“I liked the Siesta Key Notes because it highlighted the birds on our beach and offers an immediate local connection,” said Rouse. Plus, the cards are beautifully done, are truly unique, and naturally compliment BLVD Beachwear’s selection of resort wear and carefully curated selection of gifts.”

Baumgartner doesn’t see Siesta Key Notes as just another typical note card. To her, it is much more.

“I want residents and visitors to be able to connect with and appreciate the coastal birds that are mainstays of the Key’s natural environment,”

941.346.0226

6635 Midnight Pass Rd.

Snowy Egret: Photo courtesy of Siesta Key Notes / Jan G. Baumgartner

laughing gall, little blue heron, ringbilled gull, royal tern, sanderling, snowy egret, willet, and coming soon, great blue heron.

On her most recent trip, Baumgartner captured images of six additional birds that will be become new additions to her line of note cards. She also captured new views of several other birds already in the collection that will be also be available.

BLVD Beachwear is located at 5239 Ocean Boulevard, Suite C, Siesta Village.

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, recap of recent events

Santa Claus Visits South Siesta Key We offer a fun and affordable assortment of unique coastal themed souvenirs, gifts, home decor, artwork by local artists, t-shirts, hats, beach gear and more!

said Baumgartner. What started as photographing birds for my own enjoyment has evolved into a larger mission of bringing people closer to the natural inhabitants with whom we share our beaches.”

“Many types of birds may appear plentiful when they congregate on the beaches,” Baumgartner continued, however, according to the National Audubon Society , their collective numbers have declined since the 1970s. “If my work somehow boosts awareness of Siesta Key’s coastal dwellers and their shrinking habitat, I will be very happy.”

Currently, there are 14 different note cards in both sizes featuring 9 different birds. Some birds are repeated with more than one view.

The note cards come in two different sizes: A7 = 5 x 7 in. card with 4 x 6 photograph and matching envelope.

A2 = 4.25 x 5.5 in. card with 3.5 x 5 photograph and matching envelope.

The inaugural set of birds featured on the note cards are: brown pelican,

The first ever Santa Claus Visits South Siesta Key was a blast!

Families braved the weather and visited with Santa and his elves!

Every child received a stocking with goodies inside. A huge thank you to everyone who helped put this event together and thank you again to our sponsors- we couldn’t

have done this event without you!

January Networking Luncheon at Ruth’s Chris Steak House The Chamber kicked the new year off right with a luncheon at Ruth’s Chris! Guests enjoyed networking and meeting several new members. Thank you, Genesis and Ruth’s Chris, for hosting our

luncheon! Also, we appreciate the following businesses that donated door prizes: SERVPRO of South Sarasota, OneGroup Wealth, Siesta Creamery, SunTrust, Wallace Welch & Willingham, Sam’s Club, Eddie’s Airport Limousines of Sarasota, Veteran Air, Hughes Exterminators, Pedego Electric Bikes Sarasota, Sabal Palm Bank and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

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Siesta Key Jewelry Store Continues to Develop New Products to Benefit Our Local Mote Marine Laboratory and Red Tide Research and Save Our Beaches During the peak of red tide last year, Silver City Sarasota designed and created a jewelry collection called Tide AwayTM. When asked what prompted the idea, the ladies at Silver City Sarasota responded, “We felt compelled to put our heads together to aid Mote Marine Laboratory in their research and marine animal rescue efforts. Seeing the amazing work Mote scientists, staff and volunteers put out coming daily to our beach to sample the waters, as well as rescuing and recovering turtles and dolphins, birthed the idea for “Tide AwayTM” and then they proceeded to sketch out the concept.

The first product in the collection was the “Tide AwayTM” Keychain. It was so well received by our tourists and local customers that we decided to expand the line in order to donate more to Mote.

As it stands now Silver City Sarasota has two necklaces, earrings, bracelets, a bead that fits all bead bracelets the Keychain. Their newest addition is the “Tide AwayTM” tote beach bag with an actual photo of Siesta Key Beach on it taken by the proprietor.

The generous 25% donation far exceeds the national average of 6%-10%.

The Staff of Silver City Sarasota is very proud of the collection, and with Motes’ encouragement, they are currently working on new pieces to help Save our Beaches.

Located just minutes from Siesta Key Beach, on Midnight Pass Road, Silver City Sarasota has been providing its customers with outstanding service as well as uniquely designed products in a variety of gemstones and diamond jewelry.

You can view the “Tide AwayTM” Collection at Silver City Sarasota located at 6539 Midnight Pass Road Monday -Saturday 10 am to 5pm.

941-349-5030 www.SilverCitySarasota.com Advertorial

2nd step 3D Cad

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FEBRUARY 2020

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Also, there will be two $1000 scholarships in perpetuity thru the Andrew Monroe Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Sarasota Community Foundation.

The overall winners for this event were Shawn Johnson, Male Overall and Heather Butcher, Female Overall.

Siesta Key Condo Council meeting Membership meeting notice, at 3:00 P.M. at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave. Speakers will be from the County and other professionals. Topics to be discussed include: Sarasota County transportation/traffic study, Legacy Trail update, Sheriff’s 2019 statistics and related information, fire safety update, 2019 stats, and Station #13 status.

Chamber’s quarterly membership meetings may shift

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January newsletter did not list quarterly membership meetings.

When the SNL contacted Chamber Executive Director Ann Frescura to ask why, she had a perfectly good explanation.

Because of the holidays, Frescura said, she was unable to reach both outgoing board Chair Eric Fleming, a Siesta attorney, and incoming board Chair Mason Tush, whose family owns CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, to confirm proposed dates.

Frescura added that she hoped to accomplish that this week.

“We didn’t forget about it,” she said of the schedule with a laugh.

“We’ll get it all figured out.”

Frescura also noted that she was hoping to adjust those meeting dates this year to make them align better with the traditional concept of endings of quarters. If that worked out, she continued, the first session would be in March, instead of February. Then the final quarterly meeting of the year would be in December.

No quarterly session was conducted in November 2019 because of the intense time commitment of Chamber staff and directors in the management of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, Frescura explained during a conversation with this reporter in early December 2019.

The timing of Thanksgiving was another factor in the cancellation of that gathering, she noted.

During her Jan. 6 discussion with SNL, Frescura also pointed out that when the quarterly meetings began in 2017, they ended up on a bit of an unusual schedule, with the first conducted in February.

That was partly a result of the Chamber’s absorbing the Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) at the end of 2016. The Village Association traditionally had represented business owners on the Key, but many of its leaders also were long-time Chamber directors. Finally, both groups felt the best option was for the Chamber not only to take over the SKVA’s responsibilities but also to expand long-time SKVA events so businesses on the southern part of the Key could participate in them more readily.

Condo Council releases Dec. 10, 2019 meeting minutes In minutes of their Dec. 10, 2019 meeting, leaders of the Siesta Key Condominium Council have highlighted a number of comments of their guest speaker, Mike Angers, vice president of Brown & Brown Insurance of Sarasota.

Angers began his presentation by citing the amount of insurance losses experienced globally, the minutes said. “Specifically, for 2017 & 2018 — $219 billion!” the minutes pointed out.

Rate increases are driven by industry losses in general, “not just local experience,” Angers told the members, according to the minutes.

An insurance company re-insures its policies through a network of reinsurance companies, he explained.

“These companies have taken a substantial global hit in the past two years and are increasing rates to your insurer,” the minutes added. Condominium associations should make sure that their brokers “shop” their policies, Angers emphasized. The market has become more competitive, he added, and, “naturally, older condos get fewer bids. Aged buildings tend to have more problems such as older roofing components.”

Angers further explained that flood insurance is limited to $250,000 per unit, “so don’t take out duplicate flood insurance on your own — it’s a waste of money,” the minutes quoted him. “With that said, nothing precludes you from buying supplemental insurance above $250,000” from Lloyd’s of London, for example. In effect, these supplemental policies have a $250,000 deductible, Angers noted.

“Contents are another matter — you should insure what you think is necessary,” the minutes quoted him.

In the event of a catastrophic loss, he pointed out, Sarasota County regulations dictate how a structure should be rebuilt. “Mike feels the county would be reasonable in the implementation of rebuilding guidelines,” the minutes said.

“Take pictures of all aspects of your condo” to have them ready in the event of future claims,” Angers told the members.

Continued on page 24

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Happy Valentine’s Day

7119 S. Tamaimi Trail, Sarasota Just off the Key, 1/4 mile south of Stickney Pt Rd

Open Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

From the Market...

Large selection of fresh seafood.

Special Orders Welcome!

From the Grill...

5 STAR REVIEWS THE NORM FOR THIS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Fresh fish your way: Grilled or Blackened & topped with Lemon Butter, Pico or Salsa, Soups, Sandwiches, Steam pots & more!

941-413-7133 | www.FreshCatchFishMarketandGrill.com

941.312.0665

Volunteers in our Community

FEBRUARY 2020

By Jane Bartnett

Profile of ABEL’S ICE CREAM owners, Jerry & Jill Williams Siesta Key: Being a good neighbor and giving back to the Siesta Key/Sarasota community comes naturally to Jerry & Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream on Stickney Point. “I’m a huge proponent of helping people in times of need,” said Jerry as he prepared one of his signature Abel’s Ice Cream sundaes. “It’s important to give back to the community.”

For Jerry and Jill, nothing tops their commitment to supporting the work of “VW Hope in a BackPack,” the Village Walk (Palmer Ranch) based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides weekly donations of non-perishable food to children-in-need, who attend Sarasota County’s Fruitville Elementary Public School. “This school year there are 185 Fruitville children whose families fall below the federal poverty guidelines,” notes VW Hope in a BackPack Founder Sharon Leber.

“We are very thankful to Abel’s Ice Cream for their support and commitment to helping us end childhood hunger in Sarasota.”

Abel’s has been a supporter of the charity since the non-profit’s early days.

“When we bought the store from Bill and Norma Abel in 2015, they told us about their work with VW Hope in a BackPack. Right away,” Jerry said, “ Jill and I decided that this was a cause we could really get behind. Kids are the future and education is important. They can’t learn well if they are hungry. When we can help, we should. Growing up in inner-city Kansas City, I’ve seen firsthand how families can struggle, often through no fault of their own. I value the lessons I learned during that time. VW Hope in a BackPack is a help-up organization, it helps families to improve their lives. When Sharon asked us to be the co-chairs of their 10th anniversary gala, we said yes!”

For these two Kansas City area natives, Abel’s Ice Cream and Siesta Key are now home. In 2015, the couple started to research a

move to Florida, in hopes of buying a business on or near an island.

When they discovered Abel’s, it was a match made in heaven.

Fast forward to 2020 and a sunny afternoon at Abel’s Ice Cream. Jerry Williams is behind the counter and the sounds of the Beach Boys fill the air as customers enjoy their afternoon ice cream. “Sarasota is where all the best people in the world come to meet,” Jerry said with a smile as he surveyed the more than 40 flavors of ice cream, sherbet and yogurt that keep customers coming back for more. He runs the day-to-day Abel’s business while Jill works behind-the scenes and plays a vital role in the shop’s success. With more than 25 years of restaurant management experience, including a national recognition in 2013 as “Outstanding Manager of the Year,” Jerry knows the restaurant business. The decade that he spent in the financial services industry is the cherry on the top of the ice cream sundae. “I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” he said. “What we have here at Abel’s is the fun part of the restaurant business. Ice cream,” Jerry says, “brings people together.”

“My favorite things about the restaurant business are all in

abundance here at Abel’s.

It’s a social environment.

Our staff is the highest quality and our customers are amazing. I mean seriously, I’m serving ice cream next to the #1 beach in the world.

I can’t imagine doing anything better than that!” Customers flock to this small ice cream oasis from all parts of the world. “People drop in and start talking to each other. They make friends.

There’s nothing sad about eating ice cream,” he said with a laugh.

As the new year and a new decade dawns, Jerry predicts that “our Stellar Coffee Ice Cream with fudge swirl and little chocolate cups filled with coffee will continue to trend.” And for the younger set? “Superman or Birthday Cake Ice Cream, with pieces of yellow cake, blue cotton candy flavored icing and rainbow sprinkles.”

In addition to Abel’s support for VW Hope in a BackPack, Jerry and Jill have also developed successful local partnerships with several Siesta Key small businesses including Tropical Shores Gourmet Popcorn and Lelu Coffee. Local photographer Wendy Cohen’s framed color photographs of Siesta Key’s iconic lifeguard chairs and wildlife do double-duty. They not only decorate Abel’s walls but are also for sale.

“We want to give our customers the best local and home-awayfrom home experience possible,” Jerry reports. From far off Mt. Pleasant, Texas, in the Dallasarea, comes Abel’s large selection of hand-made chocolate candies from Sweet Shop USA. As a nod to New England visitors, there is a selection of Stone Wall Kitchen Jellies from York, Maine. “Ice cream is cool, says Jerry, “it brings people together.”

For sponsorship and ticket information for the February 24, VW Hope in a BackPack, 10th Anniversary Gala, contact T.M. Liuzzo at: tmliuzzo@att.net.

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Easy access from The Key!

Family Traditions: from Sicily to Siesta Key By Kandace P. “Bringing my family’s traditions to yours.” - Siesta Key businessman Maurice Dentici says his motto may sound cheesy, but it is absolutely true. His roots trace back to Bagheria, a small town in Sicily, then New Jersey and Sarasota. He was born into the restaurant industry. The entrepreneur has his hand in at least a dozen businesses, including Spearfish Grille, located at Siesta Key Marina (1265 Old Stickney Point Rd). Maurice and his brothers take pride in the New Jersey-style pizza and authentic Southern Italian food they serve at Rico’s Pizzeria & Pasta House in Sarasota, St. Armand’s Circle, and Lakewood Ranch/Bradenton. Dentici is a selfdescribed spontaneous, familyloving workaholic. “I love to work.

My passion is my family, and my work.” He adds the hardest part of his job is finding people as passionate about work as he feels.

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The restaurateur’s family moved back and forth between Sicily and New Jersey before landing in Sarasota when he was 13 years old.

He graduated from Sarasota High School, where he fell in love and earned a degree in finance, with plans to start his career in New York City.

“Then nine-eleven happened. At the same time my parents sold the Bagel Inn, but the sale fell through. I guess it was fate, just destiny.” Maurice says the Denticis have been serving their family traditions from the same building on Bay Road for 30 years.

This big personality speaks quietly when I ask about his success. “I don’t like the attention being on me, ya know.” Maurice credits much of his success to his high school sweetheart and wife, Tammy, who is with him on every business venture. When I ask how he manages to balance work and life he reiterates his love to vacation. “Me and my family love to L to R The Dentici men: Salvatore, Sebastian, Filippo, Maurice, Mario, Filippo, and Gregory

To enter from the back. Take a left on Gulf Gate Dr and a quick right after Longhorn, enter through the back of the parking lot.

11AM - 3PM Monday thru Friday $8.99 #’s 1-17 ONLY, *Soft Drink Is Included

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I asked Maurice why he’s spent his entire adult life building businesses here. “I love Sarasota. I have traveled all over and have vacationed in many, many places. I just LOVE Sarasota” he says with an element of excitement in his voice. “I think I love it because of the cleanliness, the atmosphere, the people. It’s just the people here are kinder, nicer.” Perhaps that’s why his parents moved here and opened The Bagel Inn on Bay Road in 1989.

The same business, same building Maurice later helped transition into a different type of restaurant for local bread lovers- Rico’s. “I was a young college kid, I didn’t want to have to wake up at 3am to go to work, so when my father gave me the opportunity to take the Bagel Inn business over, I decided to do pizza.”

In case you’re wondering, Rico is one of his brothers’ name. The family owned and operated establishments followed the Father and Son business model, giving each location the Dentici name in birth order.

go places. My favorite place is Sicily (where his parents reside part-time), but I will tell you my wife’s favorite spot to go is anywhere she’s with her boys. Maurice and Tammy have two sons, Sebastian (18) and Reece (14). I ask if his children plan to carry on the Father and Son business. “I don’t know, we will see. Sure hope they do.”

Next time you’re in the mood for some fantastic family cooking, try the white pizza and wings at Rico’s and Maurice recommends ordering the sushi nachos and grouper sandwich from Spearfish Grille. You can check the menus out online www.ricospizzapie.com and www.spearfishgrille.com or you could get your food to go and enjoy it alongside a sunset dolphin cruise with Fun Boat Tours (also one of Maurice’s business ventures) located next to Spearfish Grille. You can call 941-400-2763 or book online www.FunBoatTours.com.

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FEBRUARY 2020

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Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Despite its name and coloring, the little blue heron is actually a closer relative of the snowy egret. This species was not pursued by plume hunters to the same degree that other egrets were in the late 1800s. At first glance, the little blue appears to be mostly slate gray with a pale blue, black-tipped bill Little Blue Heron: until bright Florida sunlight Photo courtesy of Siesta Key Notes coaxes out a myriad of blues / Jan G. Baumgartner and purples, and even some maroon! This heron prefers fresh water shallows like the many canals, bayous, and inlets found throughout methodically forages for fish and crustaceans as well Siesta Key. Here, this versatile hunter slowly and as insects, frogs, snakes, turtles, and spiders.

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Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit.

One of the things that set SKOB apart from the other restaurants in Siesta Key Village is that we have some of the best food on the Key.

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Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

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Why Sarasota County Commissioner’s “do-nothing approach” is the biggest threat to our beaches, beach access, and our water-quality Continued from page 11

With BILLIONS and BILLIONS in development opportunities… I’m NOT going to lie; I’m VERY concerned. What they do there is not my concern; my concern is how it affects our water-quality and beaches. Beaches mean nothing without healthy water, and we can’t have healthy water if they are destroyed. Make environmental and economic sense to NOT destroy it. Need funding to FIX the EXISTING problems. We cannot stop until SIESTA KEY and FISH ESTUARY/WATER-QUALITY are saved.

Above certainly, shows BARWIN’s GREED and how he’s pushing our water-quality to near ‘impaired status’ FOR SK, LIDO, Down Town and even Manatee County.

Impaired = Not safe to live, swim, boat or fish on the water.

Note: Tom Barwin and Alex Davis-Shaw signed the USACOE’s application affirming that they were in compliance with all Local, Regional and State Laws, Rules, Ordinances, and Statues. THEY LIED!! Why? Because the city is trying to dredge (the critical fish estuary that combats their sewage feed localized red tide) with NO county oversight and the county is refusing to red tag them… If they get away with this, it would mean developers get rich quick with a disastrous outcome for our Marine Life.. Why? If City gets away with overstepping county requirements then environmental regulations within the city no longer pertain = That would ‘pave’ the way for uncontrolled beach development from Lido to BAY PARK to all of LBK, including soon Manatee county i.e. no environmental regulation in marine park zoning and not even due process in conservational districts like all of Lido is now.

All because the local judge voted comp-plan is NOT law (without realizing ALL of Sarasota is a CHARTER COUNTY and City is a municipality within the County) i.e. it is most certainly ‘LAW” - Our Charter Community is a privilege and not to be challenged.

It is LAW but the county attn. can’t act until Sarasota County Commission directs him to do so. County Attorney would literally need BCC’s marching orders but Commission is REFUSING.

Demand County Commission to intervene. “Do NOT dredge Cut B and NONE of Cut C.” Demand county Commission to have county attorney immediately request that the city applies for a dredging permit (marine park) and a groin permit for south lido park (the conservational area). *D3 allows them to continue with their environmental over-stepping scheme but doesn’t destroy Cut C’s crucial fish estuary.

Dumping POO in our waters; Same city manager says it is ‘environmentally friendly to dredge the #1 of 28 estuaries designated “nationally significate” (that filters city’s sewage fed localized red tide) for BIG development. How’s that make environmental and economic and we didn’t learn after we allowed local Government to kill 700+ local dolphins?

As soon as City receives NOP the county could lose jurisdictional authority over Beaches and Waterways in the city (the city is located within the county)… That would be SUPER convenient as they are scheming to build Bay Park, have plans for Marina Jacks, Towers on Lido and building an interstate bridge from Cortez fishing village in anticipation for annexing North LBK into the City from Manatee. Charlee H with Manatee is involved AS are many ‘Sarasota’ staff members, like Harmer. Harmer, Isaac, Carolyn Brown, etc. all now work for LBK and former county administrator Harmer was/is literally in bed with Barwin…

Key Stakeholders: • Marine Life • Sarasota County • Siesta Key Residents • Private Beachfront Landowners on Lido • Public Beach Users (residents and visitors) and NOT the city manager, “RED TIDE Tom” Barwin’s special interests.

*Donations are important and appreciated, visit skedf.org This space is paid for by Siesta Key resident and business owner, Mike Holderness

The “New” Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites Renovations are complete, and better than ever!

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FEBRUARY 2020

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Sheriff’s substation leader offers two sets of crime stats

21

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

With the start of a New Year, Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the Sheriff’s Office’s substation on the Key, not only had December 2019 crime statistics for members of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) at their Jan. 9 meeting, he also had a report comparing overall figures from 2019 to those from 2018.

The Sheriff’s Office had about 308 calls for service on the Key in December 2019, Smith said. They ranged from petty thefts to grand thefts, assaults to residential breakins, he continued.

The most serious types of incidents are those the FBI calls “Part 1 crimes,” he explained.

Those include robberies, aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts, Smith said — “any type of thefts.”

Generally, the Sheriff’s Office statistics show the number of Part 1 crimes on the Key for a given month is right around 4%, he continued.

However, in December 2019, Smith added, the Key “had a lot more people” than it did in December 2018, when potential visitors were worried they might encounter lingering effects of the red tide bloom.

In the summer of 2018, people on or near the Sarasota County coastline were contending with tons of dead fish — along with sea turtles and some sea mammals killed by red tide. The bloom also produced an aerosol that has been proven to be especially harmful to people with breathing problems, as a respiratory specialist told SKA members at their 2019 Annual Meeting.

Business owners were among those pointing out to him how many more tourist were on Siesta for the holiday period in 2019 than in 2018, Smith told the SKA members.

As a result, he continued, the Sheriff’s Office calls for service was higher and the percentage of Part 1 crimes grew to 5.5%.

One of those was an assault involving neighbors who engaged in an argument, Smith explained.

In another case, “One guy riding a bike got shot in the head with a nerf gun.”

The latter comment prompted a round of laughter among audience members.

Additionally, Smith said, two bike thefts were reported in December 2019, but both bicycles were recovered. Given the popularity of bike riding on the Key, he noted, thefts are “usually a hot topic.”

As for crime year-over-year: Again, citing the red tide factor for much of 2018, Smith said that the number of calls in 2019 reflected what Sheriff’s Office personnel considered more of a normal situation for Siesta. For example,

he continued, residential and vehicle burglaries were up about 35% to 40% from 2018 to 2019.

Still, though, Part 1 crimes made up only about 4% of the total for 2019, he added. He attributed that to the fact that Siesta has “great residents, great people, great business owners who do a good job of educating people …” They let visitors know “what Siesta Key is all about,” Smith told the audience.

All sorts of questions for the sergeant And given the full audience at that Jan. 9 SKA meeting, Smith fielded plenty of questions after he concluded his presentation.

The first speaker explained that he and his wife live north of Siesta Village. “We go for a walk every evening after dinner,” the man continued. “We see almost no Sheriff’s Office presence” in the Village, the man added. That situation was no different even on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the man pointed out.

“I understand there’s a lot of concentration” of officers at the public beach in the daytime, the man told Smith. However, after sunset, from Beach Access 7 to approximately the location of the Old Salty Dog restaurant on the north end of Siesta Village, the man said, “You see speeding all the time; you see obnoxious behavior.”

He urged Smith to ensure that deputies patrol that area.

“We’ll do our best,” Smith replied, adding that the Sheriff’s Office tries to ensure an adequate level of enforcement all over the Key. When the speaker again emphasized the speeding issue, Smith responded, “We’ll get on it.”

A second man told Smith that he and his wife live across the street from Siesta Public Beach. In the evenings, the man said, the couple has noticed gatherings of people “with very loud music playing,” especially on the weekends. They also have observed drivers doing doughnuts in the public parking lots at the beach, the man said. “I would hope you would keep an eye on those incidents.”

“We’re aware of it,” Smith told the man. Most of those activities do occur on the weekends and when students are out of school, Smith continued. “It’s been going on a long time. … We’re trying our best to curb that.”

A woman in the audience asked if the Sheriff’s Office handles thefts from boats.

It does, Smith replied.

She then asked if Smith was aware of people having GPS systems stolen from boats in the area.

Smith told her the Sheriff’s Office was investigating several thefts

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Sgt. Arik Smith involving two county waterways, including Phillippi Creek.

Another man voiced concerns about the dangers pedestrians face in using the crosswalk at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Midnight Pass Road. “People push the button and run right across the street,” the man said, “and cars aren’t stopping like they should.”

The man asked if any plans are in the works to modify that crosswalk system.

“That’s a very, very busy intersection,” Smith acknowledged. “It can be kind of confusing, sometimes,” in regard to who has the right of way, Smith added.

He was uncertain, Smith continued, whether the county or the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has any plans to change the light cycles for vehicles or pedestrians at that intersection.

Smith did tell the audience he would work to get statistics on vehicle and pedestrian crashes at that location, so he could provide those to SKA members a their February meeting.

Then SKA Director Erin Kreis asked, “Can anything be done to get people to stop passing the stopped trolley?” She was referring to drivers in line behind the Siesta Key Breeze when it makes stops to pick up or let off passengers.

As she was heading to the SKA meeting that afternoon, Kreis continued, she saw four vehicles go around the trolley, using the center turn lane.

People legally cannot pass vehicles on the road, Smith responded, when the lanes are

separated by a solid yellow line or double yellow lines. If such lines are not present, he said, “As long as it’s safe … you’re allowed to pass other vehicles.”

When he asked Kreis where she saw the vehicles pass the trolley, she told him the Breeze was in front of the Casarina condominium complex, which is located at 5880 Midnight Pass Road.

“It’s almost all ‘No Passing’” in that area, Smith acknowledged.

“It’s something we can be on the lookout for,” he added, referring to the situation she had described.

Sheriff’s deputies try to educate drivers, he continued. “People get in a hurry, even out here.”

Another SKA member told Smith that he has observed vehicles failing to slow down for pedestrians who use the Beach crosswalk that leads to Beach Access 10. Most drivers just continue through the crosswalk, the man indicated. “It’s a little scary,” he said, not knowing

whether a driver will stop.

The man asked whether any plans exist for installing flashing lights for pedestrians to activate at that crosswalk.

Sarasota County is in charge of the crosswalk signage and lights on Beach Road, Smith explained.

“I don’t know that we’ll ever solve that issue” of drivers failing to watch out for pedestrians in crosswalks, Smith added, as long as Siesta has so many pedestrians, so many bicyclists and so many vehicles.

Many years ago, Sgt. Scott Osborne, the longtime Sheriff’s Office substation leader, offered excellent advice to people.

He told this reporter never to cross the street — even in a marked crosswalk — if a vehicle was approaching unless the reporter had made eye contact with the driver to get a clear indication that the driver planned to stop.

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FEBRUARY 2020

By Robert Frederickson

Will Last Cultural Group Leaving Sarasota Please Turn off the Lights…

First the Players Theatre announced it will be leaving Sarasota for Waterside Place, east of I-75 in Lakewood Ranch. Then last November in a fit of pique, Selby Botanical Gardens (SBG) indicated a move out of the city was not out of the question after its plans for a 75-foot high parking garage with rooftop restaurant were denied by the Sarasota city commission. In the months since SBG has been a bit more conciliatory having recently made another attempt to shoehorn a less vertically imposing 45’ foot high parking structure onto its bay front property.

Now the Sarasota Orchestra (SO) has informed city government it may be moving out of town due to its inability to find a suitable site for a long planned new practice and performing facility within the city limits.

The orchestra had hoped to build on the site presently occupied by the tennis courts at Payne Park just east of downtown near the police station and judicial complex. But the hue and cry from the tennis community nixed that plan and the only sites now identified as feasible are in the county. And speaking of the county, it too has floated the idea of moving out of town, to a more central location so as to centrally serve all county residents, given the explosive growth to the south in the North Port area over the past decade.

That would leave the current county administration building on Ringling Blvd. vacant. Probably too valuable a parcel for the SO on its own, but as part of larger entertainment project involving adjacent parcels? Who knows...

What Could Possibly Go wrong?

Disaster was narrowly averted recently when a Hernando County

941.312.0665

couple took their infant child with them on what was supposed to be a leisurely canoe trip down the Weeki Wachee River. Read that sentence again with special attention to the three words: Infant, Canoe, River...

Not three words that work well together I’d say. I’d go so far as to submit that even the most experienced canoeist on the planet would pass on an adventure that included those three ingredients.

But the Hernando County couple involved here dove in head first, which is exactly how they entered the water when their canoe flipped over in the Weeki Wachee while their infant child remained in the canoe, strapped into a car seat which was in turn strapped into the canoe, leaving the unfortunate young passenger hanging upside down with its head bobbing in the water like a pink popper fishing lure. The only thing that could have possibly made this story more horrifying than the monumental lack of parental judgment that precipitated it would be if a few gators swam out to the canoe to check out the commotion in their neighborhood.

Instead, in what might by many be deemed a miracle worthy of beatification, two Hernando County deputies just happened to be nearby, having just stopped for lunch after patrolling the river on their personal watercrafts.

The two jumped back onto one of the water scooters and got to the overturned canoe in seconds after hearing the mother screaming “baby, baby, baby!” They quickly righted the canoe and removed the youngster, first to the shore then to a nearby hospital where the boy thankfully received a clean bill of health... The father was cited for a personal flotation device not worn by a child under six and he will likely never in his long and hopefully happy life be able to say “How come there’s never a cop around when you

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From Orchestra’s Move to Weight Watching News… need one?”

As for me, I’m reminded of the enduring truth in the saying “There is a special providence that protects idiots, drunkards and children...”

It’s True: Politics Really does Make for Strange Bedfellows The annual survey to name America’s most respected man was a dead heat this year. So, co-winners were announced. The two names sharing the honor: Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

“Be Nice and don’t be Scared.”

That was the advice comedian Dave Chappelle had for current students at the high school he attended as a young, aspiring comic, Washington DC’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The advice was delivered before the assembled student body and his words were captured in a video clip included in a recent PBS special recognizing Chappelle’s selection as the recipient of the 22nd annual Mark Twain Award for American Humor. The PBS special showcases Chappelle’s unique talents and is well worth watching if you get the chance, even if you’re not a big Dave Chappelle fan. At the very least it offers a brief antidote to the increasingly humorfree zone many have sought to build around our public square. I’m sure it will be rebroadcast many times in the months and years ahead, given the deftness and care with which it reveals the wellspring of the comic’s unflinching humor and commitment to expressing in his own words how he sees the world around him.

The advice Chappelle gave that day to the Duke Ellington School students grew directly from similar advice given him as a young boy by his mother, Yvonne. After accepting his award at the Kennedy Center, he looked to her – seated in the audience that night, just as she had been on so many other nights in the less lavishly appointed DC

comedy clubs he started performing in at the tender age of just 14. Back then it was a rough time in the nation’s capitol as the crack epidemic swept through many of the city’s neighborhoods and gang violence was all too common.

Standing before a capacity crowd of friends, fellow comedians, musicians and dignitaries there to honor him, he spoke directly to the woman who had set him on the course that guided him through those difficult times and on to success, not just as a performer, but more importantly as a man. As he spoke, it was as if it was just the two of them, alone together: “You remember mom, you used to sit in the club with me, after a full day of work, you’d be in the back falling asleep, waiting for me to go on?” “You would watch my show every night...”

And then turning back to the audience he continued: “You know how long that car ride is home?”

(Laughter). “How many of you have ever heard ‘Son your jokes were a little too much tonight…” (More laughter).

And then in the disarming, unaffected way that has become a trademark of sorts he tells them this: “I was a soft kid. I was sensitive. I cried easily and would be scared to fist fight. And my mother used to tell me this thing...I don’t know if you remember mom, but you said this to me more than once, you said: ‘Son, sometimes you have to be a lion so you can be the lamb you really are...”

And as he spoke those words, the camera fell on his mother as she spoke them right along with him, as if she could ever forget how she raised her own son.

And then, center stage, in full command of his words and thoughts, he proved the power of the lesson learned: “I talk this s_ _ _ like a lion. I’m not afraid of any of you when it comes to words; I will gab with the best of them.

Just so I can chill and be me. And that’s

why I love my art form.”

As clear and ringing an endorsement of the promise at the heart of the First Amendment as was ever offered by Madison, Hamilton, Jefferson or anyone else...made all the more compelling by the context of the times in which we now live and the experiences of the person offering it that night on the Kennedy Center stage.

“So I can just chill and be me...”

There is so much we take for granted in this nation today.

Just as King Lear’s Fool offered the foolish king the wisest counsel of all those in his foolish royal court, even today it takes a comedian, someone like Chappelle, to point out our folly when we do not face down those who would challenge or deny us our most precious birthright.

“What is Popeye’s Favorite Food?”

That was the toss up question with $10,000 on the line during a recent episode of the Canadian version of the game show Family Feud.

Contestant Eva Dubois quickly buzzed in with what she was certain was the number one answer: “Chicken!” she said confidently while her family looked on in stunned amazement.

I mean, come on Eva, everyone knows spinach is number one with Popeye, right? Not Eva. But all’s well that ends well. The fast food chicken outfit Popeyes liked Dubois’ answer so much they awarded her $10,000.00 worth of their Louisiana style Cajun Chicken (or anything else on their menu).

And of course, as an added bonus she will live on eternally on YouTube.

Trouble Shedding the Weight?

Having trouble with your New Years resolution to trim down? Well you’re not alone. Consider this: The Earth gets 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust.

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Café Gabbiano Island House Edward Jones Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5. Tropical Sands Accommodations 6. Lilly Pulitzer

7. Davidsons Drugs 8. Comfort Shoes 9. Sarasota Medical Center 10. Open for Rent 11. Open for Rent 12. The Local Bean 13. Siesta Key Wine Bar 14. Local Chill Ice Cream

Wine is the ansWer, What Was the Question?

Come join us for Happy Hour

Serving Sarasota Sarasota Since Since 1958 Serving 1958

every day 3-6pm Buy one glass of wine, get the 2nd 1/2 off & $ 3 Domestic Beers 5138c Ocean Blvd.

Siesta Village 941-552-9105 • SiestaKeyWineBar.com

Chill out with Sarasota’s best ICE CREAM!

Siesta Key Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce SAVE THE DATES! Siesta Key Craft Festival February 22-23, 2020 Siesta Key Village

941-349-3800 5114 Ocean Blvd.

Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com or ArtFestival.com

Home & Office

Delivery

LocalChill.com

5140 Ocean Blvd.

Siesta Key Village 941-388-7672

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

27th State Media LLC

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 28

VILLAGE MAP pgs 24 - 25

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 47

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 26 GULF GATE SHOPS pgs 30 - 31

Siesta Key Drum Circle Every Sunday is a perfect time to come to the Key to reconnect with Mother Nature and to enjoy this collaborative community event. 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 by John Newcombe as shared in Siesta Key Drum Circle Facebook page.

Don’t Waste Your Island Time Crossing Bridges!

We are conveniently located just a few steps from Crescent Beach and minutes away from anywhere on the Key.

• Full Service Grocery • Party Trays • Boar’s Head Meat & Cheese • Domestic & Micro Beers • Fabulous Deli Sandwiches Made to Order! • Largest Wine Selection on Siesta Key • Farm Fresh Produce • Beach Supplies • Butcher Shop • Take Out Meals

We Deliver to Siesta Key!

941-312-0472 fax: 941-312-9588

www.crescentbeachgrocery.com

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1211 Old Stickney Point Rd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 (corner of Stickney Pt. and Midnight Pass Rd.)

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Island Chatter

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 16

In addressing structural features of buildings, Angers explained that frame walls and roofs are the lowest rated; masonry walls and frame roofs have the next best rating; and masonry walls and concrete roofs are the highest rated, the minutes added. “Associations should be proactive about their roofs — schedule annual inspections and repairs,” the minutes continued.

Normally, a condo association should obtain a mitigation survey. Surveys are usually required for obtaining individual homeowner policies, the minutes said.

However, in circumstances in which old roofs that have not been rehabbed, Angers said, completion of a mitigation survey actually might result in a higher premium, the minutes noted.

Regarding liability insurance, Angers said, “The trend is for insurers to put more exclusions in the policy and/or add deductibles for liability claims.”

Among such exclusions, the minutes continued are those for firearms and other weapons-related claims; a constructionrelated claim (for example, someone trips

over a cable in the construction area); and insured versus insured exclusions. “This means that if the owner or family member is injured, coverage will not apply,” the minutes explained. Directors of an association “should carefully review the policy because the insurers are not going to highlight the exclusions for you,” Angers told the members, as noted in the minutes.

Each association should consider having a catastrophe plan, Angers continued. He “mentioned that restoration companies such as Servpro and WrightWay” will send someone out and then prepare a catastrophe plan “at no cost or obligation to the condo. However, a cat plan will not result in an insurance credit — it’s just a good thing to have,” the minutes said.

Yet another piece of advice he offered, the minutes continued, is “Allow your broker to obtain insurance bids on your behalf. It is counterproductive to contact insurers on your own.”

Finally, the minutes said, “How to save money on premiums? Consider increasing the deductibles on your wind/property and flood policies.”

Tom Ilg and Melanie Dodge

New owners, same great vibes As of January 10, husband and wife team Tom Ilg and Melanie Dodge became the new owners of Siesta Key Wine Bar. Originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, but most recently from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Tom and Melanie are familiar with the seasonal business that is Siesta Key and are excited to visit with the locals and tourists alike.

In Mexico both sold real estate and Tom

will continue to do so here, but together they will be very hands-on with the bar.

Melanie’s past experience with restaurants in the wine region and Tom’s familyowned bars and restaurants make this venture a perfect fit for them.

They’re grateful that previous owners Stu, Darlene, Kasey and Cole will be available during the transition, and don’t plan to change anything but will be adding a few new options over time. They have expanded the hours during the day and look forward to offering a Sunday morning Mimosa Bar very soon. A few other additions will include daily happy hour, tapas and charcuterie boards and wine delivery on Siesta Key. They will continue with the Wine Club and once a month wine tastings as well as offering the space for private parties.

Stop by and wish the best to Melanie and Tom! Siesta Key Wine Bar is open 11 am – 9 pm Monday – Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 11 am – 11 pm, Sundays 10 am – 6 pm.

5138c Ocean Blvd., Davidson Plaza in the Village. SiestaKeyWineBar.com

LeLu Coffee New coffee

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Map B #42

SIESTA KEY

5250 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242

SOUTH SIESTA

1250 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242 N IC E N D O F VE IS LA

ST ARMANDS CIRCLE

325 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

Map D #62

Coffee Shop • Tea Room • 5138

ISLAND OF VENICE

300 W. Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285

Anna Maria Island

107 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL. 34217

ACCOMMODATIONS Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa.......... Map-A #38A ATM / BANKS PNC ATM.........................................Map-C #61 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.................... Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blaśe Café....................................... Map-A #38 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 My Village Pub......................... Map-C #53/54 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 Bean Coffeehouse......................... Map-D #62 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company......Map-B #31 DRUGSTORE Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65

DAIQUIRIDECK.COM

FASHION & ACCESSORIES Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack..... Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.............................. Map-B #30 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More..... Map-D #64 Foxy Lady Fashions...................... Map-A #40 Ganja Mon Vibes.............................. Map-D #9 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions.........Map-B #44 Island Boutique............................... Map-B #50 Island Style.......................................Map-C #53 Lilly Pulitzer.................................. Map-D #66 Sea Shanty........................................Map-C #24 Siesta T’s........................................... Map-B #30 The Sandal Factory......................... Map-B #46 GAS STATION Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar.................................. Map-C #28 Gilligan’s Gift Store........................ Map-B #32 Island Trader....................................Map-C #51 Sea Pleasures & Treasures.............Map-C #29 Siesta Key Outfitters..................... Map-D #12

Barber Scott Reich

Formerly of the Village Barber

Gulf Gate Barbershop Making Gulf Gate look good since the ‘60’s Bringing over 70 years of life lessons and local knowledge to your haircut (trust us, we know alllll about what you did last summer).

It’s not just a haircut, it’s life. We know all about it.

Let’s laugh, have a beer, and talk nonsense….that’s free.

Haircut? That’s gonna cost you…$15, if we like you, $25 if you’re a P.I.T.A. “Best Local Barbers” 20 years in the running Kyle and Scott “to the second power”

6575 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231 941-809-9028 Walk-ins Welcome

HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ............ Map-D #10 Siesta Healing................................... Map-D #9 Siesta Key Fitness..........................Map-B #73 ICE CREAM/SWEETS Big Olaf Creamery..........................Map-C #52 Curly Cream Ice Cream................... Map-D #9 Local Chill Ice Cream................... Map-D #60 Made in Rome Organic Gelato......Map-C #53 Meany’s Mini Donuts.....................Map-C #24 Stefano Versace Gelato...................Map-C #50 SubZero Ice Cream/Yogurt.......... Map-D #16 The Fudge Factory......................... Map-A #36 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company......Map-B #31 JEWELRY Created Gems..................................Map-C #51 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 Wine Bar..................... Map-C #61 Siesta Village Liquors.................. Map-C #26 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22

www.siestasand.net

e Loungecloses, e shop to open

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941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

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27th State Media LLC

Flag ceremony regulating authority of vacation rentals.

However, Sarasota County’s ordinance governing short-term rentals would remain in effect, as the bill would “grandfather-in measures in place prior to June 1, 2011.

Introduced by state Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., a Hialeah Gardens Republican, the bill also would prohibit local regulations requiring inspections or licensing of vacation rentals; make the state responsible for regulation of advertising platforms for such rentals; and require “each advertising platform to quarterly provide the state’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation with certain information regarding vacation rentals in this state listed on the platform.”

Among that information from an “advertising platform,” the bill notes, would be “a list of all vacation rental listings in this state on its platform,” including the “applicable Florida sales tax registration and tourist development tax numbers under which taxes will be remitted for rentals commenced through the advertisement.” Continued on page 31

HAT BETTER WAY TO START YOUR DAY IN PARADISE! • Organic and Fair Trade Coffees & Teas • Cold Pressed Coffee • Organic Smoothies • Light Lunch (Sandwiches) • Breakfast Sandwiches, Bagels & Lox • Homemade Pastries

941-260-6400

Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

Our nightly flag ceremony pays homage to Captain Ralph Styles (a Decorated WWII Submarine Captain in the Pacific Theater) who began this tribute ceremony about 30 years ago.

Each sunset, our community comes together with new friends from around the world at Siesta Key’s public access #2, at 10 Beach Road.

All are welcome as we begin each tribute with the following: “Welcome to Patriot’s Pier at Sunset Point!

We thank you for joining our nightly tribute to honor the sacrifices of our military and service personnel in protecting our country and our freedoms.

We are the land of the free because of the brave!”

This year Our Patriots Pier at Sunset Point “Merry Christmas Wonderland” was thanks to Mike Consentino and sculpture

creator Brian Wigelsworth of Gidget’s Coastal Provisions shop in the village. Enhancing the display was “Saluting Sandy” who united our holiday spirits and helped salute all our visitors and military and service personnel who have participated this year at Patriots Pier at Sunset Point!

(Unfortunately, an alleged kickboxer challenged “Saluting Sandy” to a one-sided fight and destroyed the display the same night it went up.)

Like all of fallen patriots, the memory of “Saluting Sandy” resonates in our hearts and minds.

All can enjoy our nightly sunset ceremonies by joining our Facebook page “Patriots Pier at Sunset Point Access 2”!

And we all wish that everyone “See 20-20 and have a Prosperous 2020!”

• SEGWAY RENTALS • PADDLEBOARDS • SCOOTER CARS • GOLF CARTS • BIKES • SCOOTERS • BEACH GEAR Map B #34

Light Grey

5255 Ocean Blvd • Siesta Key Village www.robinhoodrentals.net

Khaki

941-554-4242

Arizona Sun

MAILING - SHIPPING 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 The Spa at Calle Minorga............... Map-E #74

Gizeh Cherry Map D #64

MEDICAL - DENTAL Sarasota Medical Center................ Map-D #63 Siesta Dental..................................... Map-B #49 Siesta Key Physical Therapy......... Map-D #20 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce................ Map-D #67 Prime Audio Video........................... Map-E #1 Roberti Enterprises........................ Map-A #39 Village Arcade.................................Map-C #53 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Attorney Fleming.............................. Map-E #1 Edward Jones Investments.......... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................Map-E 74 REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Amy Robinson RE............................. Map-E #1 Coldwell Banker Realty................. Map-D #20 EXP Realty.........................................Map-E #4 Judith Guzzi & Assoc..................... Map-E #74 Keller Williams Real Estate........... Map-D #11 Michael Saunders Realty..............Map-E #72 ReMax Alliance Group................ Map-C #29 RentSiestaKey.com........................... Map-D #9 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate.... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental Prop.................. Map-D #10 The Ringling Beach House Rentals...Map-D #9 Tropical Sands Accommodations.....Map-D #67

48 47 46

RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg..............Map-C #54 & 55 Blasé Café....................................... Map-A #38 Bonjour French Cafe.......................Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano............................... Map-D #71 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar.............. Map-B #29 Flavio’s Italiano Ristorante............ Map-B #30 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill.......Map-B #33 Island House Bar & Grill............. Map-D #69 Lobster Pot...................................... Map-C #23 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company......Map-B #31 Old Salty Dog Rest. & Pub............... Map-E #2 PI Pizza & Craft Beer..................... Map-A#37 Ripfire Pizza..................................... Map-B #47 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria.............. Map-D #15 Subway Sandwiches....................... Map-B #30 Summer House................................Map-C #57 Sun Garden Café............................ Map-D #19 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub - Baja Grill........................Map-C #59 The Seafood Joint.......................... Map-D #15 The Star Thai Sushi............... Map-D #17 & 18 Village Café.................................... Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY Sassy Hair Salon............................ Map-A #40 Siesta Key Nails & Spa.................. Map-D #9 Shaman Sanctuary Salon................. Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/RENTALS CaliFlorida........................................Map-C #29 Robin Hood Rentals......................Map-B #34

Bringing you quality and comfort for more than 30 years!

WE’VE MOVED

a few doors down Map D #11

Birkenstock & More 5128 Ocean Blvd. Siesta Village

941-346-7425 www.rickscomfortshoes.com

LET US CUSTOMIZE SHIRTS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

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FEBRUARY 2020

BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Capt. Curt’s Backroom Saloon................B-3 #7 Crescent Club.......................................... C-3 #13 Sniki Tiki....................................................B-3 #8 COFFEE SHOPS Coffee Garden................................... B-3 #8 DELIS / BAKERIES Anna’s Deli & Sandwiches.................. C-3 #14 Nutritious You......................................... C-3 #14 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery......B-3 #1 DRUG STORES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 FASHION & ACCESSORIES Fin Island Co.............................................. A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Coconuts Fashion......................................B-3 #1 Green Turtle Swimwear......................... C-3 #14 Key Casual Fashions............................... D-3 #17

941.312.0665

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

Things You Like...................................... C-3 #14 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs.............................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts................. C-3 #14 Sunshine Sand Hidden Treasures...... D-3 #17 Silver City Jewelry................................. C-3 #14 HEALTH & BEAUTY Sanctuary Siesta Key............................... A-5 #12 Siesta Key Salon & Spa........................... D-3 #17 The Key Spa & Salon.............................. A-5 #12 ICE CREAM & TREATS Orange Octopus .......................................B-3 #8 Siesta Creamery....................................... C-3 #14 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson 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 REAL ESTATE / RENTALS Beckmann Properties.............................. C-2 #15 Homes & Condo Rentals........................ D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands............................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent............................................ C-3 #14 Waterside Realty.................................... C-3 #17 RESTAURANTS / CAFES Big Water Fish Market................................C-3 #17 Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill...............A-5 #12

www.siestasand.net

Capt. Curts Crab & Oyster Bar.................B-3 #7 City Pizza Italian Restaurant................. D-3 #17 Clayton’s Siesta Grille...............................B-3 #9 Daiquiri Deck.................................................A-3 #2 Spear Fish Grill..............................................A-4 #5 Toasted Mango Cafe....................................C-3 #17 Miguel’s Restaurant................................ C-3 #17 WATER SPORTS - FISHING - RENTALS A to Z Beach & Bike Rentals.................. A-5 #12 FIN Island Co. .......................................... 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 Key Jetski . ...................................... A-3 #2 Siesta Sports Rentals............................. C-3 #14 Waves Boat & Social Club...................... A-5 #12

“Home of the Orange Squeeze!”

OPEN 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM DAILY

ING FEATUR

Homemade Ice Cream

Sundaes l Shakes l Smoothies l Coffees Espresso l Cappuccinos

1220 Old Stickney Point Rd., Siesta Key In the Captain Curt’s Plaza Map B-3#8

941-346-0202

Expires 12/31/20

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Book Your Next Adventure Online. We Deliver!

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Map B-3#8

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd.

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-3 #4

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

Crescent Beach Grocery 1211 Old Stickney Pt. Rd.

MAP B-3 #1

Davidson Drugs 6595 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Siesta 4-Rent 6555 Midnight Pass Rd.

Toasted Mango Cafe 6621 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #17

MAP C-4 #17

MAP C-3 #14

MAP A-5 #12

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

Snapshots of Island Visitors 1

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1. Shenley, Remi age 1, & Taylor from OH 2. Rich & Rhonda from Sarasota 3. Tim, Rich, Scott, & Chara from Sarasota 4. Olga, Alex, Alex, Nicolai age 2, Daniel age 9, & Elizabeth from Sarasota 5. Betsy & Alex from Tampa 6. Stephanie & Waverly age 7 from Bradenton 7. Anna-Grace – age 1 from Clermont, FL 8. Kennedy age 6, Ken, Michele, & Kayla age 8 from Canada 9. Kristen & Sheena from MN 10. Elijah age 4, Anastasiya, & Eva age 7 from Sarasota 11. Daniela & Austin from Orlando 12. Katerina, Max age 6, Sarah, & Mosley age 3 –from Sarasota 13. Caroline & Brian from Sarasota 14. Isabelle age 4 ½ from Orlando 15. Shaunna, Pete, Julia, Dante, Kristen, & Brynlee from MO 16. Michelle & Kevin from Largo

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Siesta Sounds

By Charmaine Engelsman-Robins

Rumor Has It It isn’t often that someone sounds convincing when they say, “Money isn’t everything,” but in the case of Rumor Has It bass player Brian King, it rings true.

“It’s hard to make a living playing music here,” Brian notes. “What they’re actually paying you for is setting everything up and then breaking it all down again, that’s the work part. In between, you better be having fun.”

Which he is. His laid-back attitude serves as proof that the music really is what’s important to him… that and reaching an appreciative audience that enjoys band banter and interaction as much as their music and singing. The foursome has been together since 2016 with Joe Lawhorne on lead guitar and vocals, George Miller playing drums, Brain playing bass and contributing background vocals, and newest member Dave Toombs contributing keyboards and vocals. The band presents audiences with a wide repertoire mix of classic rock, blues, and funk/dance music, catering to whoever is in that club that night.

“The thing about this area is that different rooms have different kinds of audiences,” explains Brian. “You might have a 70-year-old sitting next to a 20-year-old, and you want to play for both of them.”

Fortunately, southwest Florida music lovers are pretty sophisticated and enjoy a wide range of musical styles, as long as they’re all played well. Brian started playing trombone in elementary school and what was then called “junior high” (now known as middle school). From there he went on the road to help out his older brother’s band, observing how it was done while running sound, etc. Which led to his playing bass in

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941.312.0665

Rumor Has It

bands of his own since about 1978. Part of the year he’d live and work in Florida, filling in his non-playing hours with his love of wind surfing and water skiing.

Unlike Florida’s traditional “snowbirds” annual routine, Brian’s winters were spent in Colorado where he loved snow-skiing. This changed to a year-round Florida residency in Nokomis when he met the woman who would become his wife; they have a daughter together and now, much to Brian’s delight, a five-year-old granddaughter.

Rumor Has It is a good-time group that enjoys playing in a casual atmosphere, like their gigs at the Casey Key Fish House where folks can dance along the waterfront at the tiki bar (i.e. it’s very Florida).

If you’d like to check out some Rumor Has It videos, you can do that on their Facebook page, web site, or You Tube; just be certain you search for “Rumor Has It SRQ” as there are some other groups with similar names.

To hear them live this month, dates already booked at press time included Pop’s Tropigrille on Friday, February 6, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.; Casey Key Fish House on Saturday afternoon/sunset, February 7, 3 to 7 p.m. (Be sure to check Facebook and the band web site for gig changes and/or additions.) When you’re there, don’t hesitate to say hello to the guys; they enjoy audience input.

“We like to bop around on stage and interact with the crowd,” says Brian.

“It’s all good energy when we play, and a good time.”

MONDAY Jamie Tremps (3 & 10) Live Music (17 & 24)

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Frankie Lombardi 6‐10 PM Callie

Evan Eastmoore 6‐10 PM

THURSDAY Rob Viola (6,13 &20) Frankie Lombardi th (27 ) 6‐10 PM

Rodney Shenk: 6‐10 PM

RPM LIVE: 6‐10 PM (4, 11, 25) th EST (18 )

6‐10 PM Mike Tozier OR Deven Starr

1‐5 PM: Michael Cole (3rd) th Charles Morris (10 ) th Frankie Lombardi (17 ) th Chris Warner (24 ) ……………………………….

Al Donadi 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: J. Gilton (4 & 18) Rob Viola (11th) th Hoosier Daddy (25 ) ……………………………..

7‐11 PM th Open Mic (4 ) Audio Orchid (11, 18, 25)

1‐5 PM: Deven Starr (12 and 26) Frankie Raye (5 & 19) ………….

Kettle of Fish 7‐11 PM

RPM LIVE ‐ 6‐10 PM

DJ Nate – 10 PM

1‐5 PM: Dana & Co. ……………………….

7‐11 PM Folklab

FRIDAY Callie & The Whole Band 6‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ TJ (10 PM) 1 PM: Chris Otto (7, 21, 28) th RPM (14 ) 6‐10 PM: Tuff Sons (7 and 14) st UND8ED (21 ) th Lisa Riding (28 ) DJ KConn – 10 PM 2‐6 PM John Whiteleather Band 8‐Midnight Blu Mason(7th) th Last Minute Band (14 ) Deven Starr (21st) Frankie Raye Band (28th)

SATURDAY st Soul Purpose (1 ) TH Shift Change Band (15 )

Alex Ross Band w/ Sarah T h

(8, 22 & 29 ) 6‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ K Conn (10 PM)

1 PM: DYMD st 6‐10 PM: UND8ED (1 ) th & nd Ted Stevens (8 22 ) th & th Kach/Seward (15 29 ) DJ KConn – 10 PM 11 AM – 2 PM Brek Milo (1, 15, 22, 29) th Rob Viola (8 ) 3‐7 PM Evan Eastmoore (1, 8, 22, 29) th Schmitz Brothers (15 ) 8‐Midnight Mike Tozier st

th)

THE BEACH CLUB In the Village 941‐49‐6311

Karaoke Mondays 9 PM – Midnight

THE COTTAGE In the Village 941-312-9300

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music Noon – 3 PM 3:30 – 6:30 PM 7-10 PM

Live Music Noon – 3 PM 3:30 – 6:30pm 7-10pm

THE HUB‐BAJA GRILL In the Village 941-349-6800 BACKROOM SALOON @ CAPT. CURTS 941‐349‐3885 Crescent Beach Shops SNIKI TIKI @ CAPT CURTS Crescent Beach Shops 941‐349‐3885 Spearfish Siesta Grille Southern end of SK 941‐349‐3474 Turtle Beach Grill Southern end of SK 941‐349‐2280 SAND DOLLAR POOL BAR @ Best Western Plus 6600 S. Tamiami Trl. Sarasota 941‐924‐4900 BOATYARD WATERFRONT BAR & GRILL 941‐921‐6200 1500 Stickney Pt. Rd. CASEY KEY FISH HOUSE 801 Blackburn Pt. Rd, Osprey 941‐966‐1901

8‐11 PM: TL (1 ), Live th Music (8 ), th New Divide (15 ) nd Mixed Signal (22 ) Twinkel and Rock soul th Radio (29 ) DJ Kensi: 11 PM – 2 AM

BREE (3‐7 PM) 1 PM: Deven Starr (2nd only) Kach/Seward (9 & 23) th Tuff Sons (16 ) 6‐10 PM: Bird Tribe (9, 16 & 23) 10 AM ‐ 1 PM Vince Colaiocco (2 & 16) Mike Tozier (9 & 23)

2‐6 PM: Charlie Morris (2nd)

John & Karla Reynolds (9) th Rob Viola (16 ) Schmitz Brothers (23rd) 7 ‐11 PM: Hatley or The Whole Band

8‐Midnight th Noel Rochford (9 ) th Billy Lyon (16 ) rd Nick Levalley (23 )

DJ Coz & DJ Xtreme 10 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music Noon – 3 PM 3:30 – 6:30 PM 7-10 PM

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

Live Music 1-4 PM 4:30 – 7:30 PM 8:30 PM - midnight

Live Music Noon – 3 PM 3:30 – 6:30 PM 7-10 PM

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

Live Music Noon – 3 PM 3:30 – 6:30 PM 7-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

8 – 11 PM: Griswolds (7 th Live Music(14 ) st No Filter (21 ) th 22N (28 ) Live DJ: 11 PM‐2 AM

SUNDAY LIVE MUSIC (2 & 9) Ron Kraemer Trio (16 & 23) 6‐10 PM

DJ Coz or DJ Kensi 9 PM – 2 AM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

www.siestasand.net

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

Kevin Thompson 5‐8:30 PM

Fawny Frost Motown/Disco/R&B 5‐8:30 PM

John Patti / James Albritton Steel Drum & Acoustic Guitar 5‐8:30 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

Bri Rivera 5‐8:30 PM

Vince Barardi 5‐9 PM

Jokers Duo 5‐9 PM

Desi Adams Island Sounds 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

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

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

Island Humor The passenger tapped the cab driver on the shoulder to ask him something. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the sidewalk, and stopped inches from a shop window.

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, “Look mister, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!”

The passenger apologized and said he didn’t realize that a little tap could scare him so much.

The driver replied, “You’re right.

I’m sorry, it’s not really your fault.

Today is my first day as a cab driver.

I’ve been driving a hearse for the last 25 years.”

A nurse came in and said “doctor, there’s a man in the waiting room who thinks he’s invisible, what should I tell him?” Doctor: “Tell him I can’t see him today.”

There was a huge fight in a seafood restaurant, and there was battered fish everywhere.

Apparently, you can’t use ‘beef stew’ as a password. It’s not stronganoff.

A man from the tropics went

north for his first winter and wanted to go ice fishing.

He’d seen many books on the subject, and finally, after getting all necessary “tools” together, he went in search of a frozen lake.

After positioning his stool, he started to make a circular cut in the ice.

Suddenly, from overhead, a voice boomed, “THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE.” Startled, the man moved further down the ice and began to cut another hole in the ice. Again, from the heavens, the voice bellowed, “THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE.” The man, now worried, moved down to the opposite end of the ice, set up his stool, and tried to cut another hole.

The voice came once more, “THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE.” He stopped, looked skyward and said, “Is that you Lord?”

The voice replied, “No. . . this is the Ice-Rink Manager. . .”

Why didn’t the shrimp share his treasure?

He was a little shellfish.

Q: What country makes you shiver? A: Chile

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE...

MLB/College Packages FULL BAR

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

A circus owner walked into a shop to see everyone crowded around a table watching a little show. On the table was an upside down pot and a duck tap dancing on it. The circus owner was so impressed that he offered to buy the duck from its owner.

After some wheelin’ and dealin’ they settled for $10,000 for the duck and the pot.

Three days later the circus owner runs back to the shop in anger, “Your duck is a rip-off! I put him on the pot before a whole audience and he didn’t dance a single step!”

“Hmmm....” thought the duck’s former owner. “Did you remember to light the candle under the pot?”

One day a man went to an auction. While there, he bid on a parrot. He really wanted this bird, so he got caught up in the bidding.

He kept on bidding, but kept getting outbid, so he bid higher and higher and higher. Finally, after he bid way more than he intended, he won the bid - the parrot was his at last!

As he was paying for the parrot, he said to the auctioneer, “I sure hope this parrot can talk. I would hate to have paid this much for it, only to find out that he can’t talk!”

“Don’t worry,” said the auctioneer, “He can talk. Who do you think kept bidding against you?”

Two men were sitting at a bar at the top of a skyscraper. Both were bending their elbows at a steady rate. The first man said, “You know, there’s such an updraft on the outside of this building, that if you jump off, you’ll fall for a bit, but the updraft will catch you, and bring you right back up to this balcony.

The second guy said, “I don’t believe it, you’ll have to prove this to me.”

So the first guy goes over the balcony and jumps off. He falls and falls and falls, and then he slows in mid drop, and begins rising back up. Finally, he lightly steps back onto the balcony. “See, I told you,” he says.

The second guy says, “I’ve got to try that.” So he jumps off the balcony, and falls and falls and falls and falls. Finally, splat on the ground.

The first guy returns to the bar and orders another drink.

As he serves the drink, the bartender says, “You’re a mean drunk, Superman.”

27th State Media LLC

29

Bartender of the Month...

Gulf Gate Food + Beer, 941-952-3361 6528 Superior Avenue, Gulf Gate This month’s bartender of the month is a fourth generation native of Florida and works six days a week. This kind of work ethic deserves a toast. So, raise your glass to Alahna, bartender at Gulf Gate Food + Beer.

Let’s learn a little more about Alahna: Q: How would you describe yourself?

A: Young, energetic, outgoing personality and extremely hard worker. I work six nights a week, plus school during the day.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Naples, FL. Q: Are you a sports fan?

A: I enjoy seeing people get so excited about their team.

Q: What are you favorite teams?

A: My sister goes to UF, so I do root for the Gators. And part of my family is from Tennessee, so I do like the Vols.

Q: How long have you been bartending?

A: 15 years.

Q: How long you have you been working at Gulf Gate Food + Beer?

A: 9 months.

Q: What makes Gulf Gate Food + Beer a special place to work?

A: We are a family. The owners are amazing, and the girls are super fun to work with. We have a really good time and enjoy working with each other.

Q: What do you enjoy about your job?

A: I really enjoy meeting new

people, but also love my regulars.

They are the highlight of my shift.

Q: Any funny stories or experiences from your job to share?

A: A great bartender keeps her secrets. : ) Q: Do you have a signature cocktail?

A: The strawberry mint spritzer is my personal favorite.

Q: What do you like to drink?

A: Jack on the rocks.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Scuba diving and time with my pup.

Q: Best time for locals to stop in the Gulf Gate Food + Beer?

A: Anytime. We have a great brunch on Sunday and awesome specials throughout the week.

Q: Best time for visitors to stop in the Gulf Gate Food + Beer?

A: Please stop by at any time - we will make you feel like family!

CAPTAIN CURT’S VILLAGE

Siesta Key’s “Old Florida” Shopping Village In The Heart of Crescent Beach

BEST SHOPPING, DINING AND FUN ON SIESTA KEY

Enjoy specialty coffees and craft beers

SIESTA KEY’S OLDEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

941-349-3885 CAPTAIN CURT’S CAPTAIn

WORLD FAMOUS CLAM CHOWDER

FUN RENTALS OF ALL KINDS 941-346-0891

Island Apparel, Souvenirs, & Chowder Kits 941-349-3885

Ice Cream and more! 941-346-8080

Outdoor Dining / Food until 2am LIVE MUSIC

1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key FL, 34242

30

Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

941.312.0665

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

SIESTA NAILS & SPA

(941) 556 9048 Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 9am - 6pm 6517 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 At Sarasota Pavilion Center, Publix Supermarket, next to Hooters.

Enjoy a ComplimEntary Glass of WinE With a $35 and up pEdi Group spECial: ChampaGnE party for Group of 7-10

Marta Wilczynski

Hairstylist/Colorist at Evan’s Hair Studio 6620 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231

Specializes in precise hair cutting techniques, razor cutting technique Balayage, root shades, dimensional hair color and foiling technique.

Formal, wedding styling!

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FREE HAIRCUT

with any color work done

561.704.6770 1

With our map, located below, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease.

Siesta Nails & Spa, located in the Sarasota Pavilion (6517 S. Tamiami Trail), a few doors down from Hooters Restaurant, recently changed hands and remodeled their shop. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with their $35 and up Pedi. Call them at 941-556-9048 to set up an appointment.

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.

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 burgers, Chicago style pizzas, and Chicago beef sandwiches. With dozens of

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televisions, it’s a great place to catch a game with friends and family.

Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G-11): has been an institution in the community for years, owned

by Kyle Flannery. The super-clean barbershop’s clientele is comprised of primarily men, but the shop services children as well. Scott Reich, formerly of the Siesta Key Village Barber Shop has relocated to this location.

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. Take a look at their menu at originalwordofmouth.com.

Hours: Mon-Sun.: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Piccolo Italian Market & Deli (G-47) carries a full line of imported cheeses, fresh baked bread daily, homemade sausages, fresh mozzarella, and numerous hard to get items. They now carry Khorasan Wheat which is an ancient and organic grain. Their Deli is complete with huge hot and cold sandwiches, salads, fresh homemade lasagna and baked ziti.

Continued on the next page

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GULF GATE

© Island Visitor Publishing, LLC 2018

Ba Am nk o eri f ca

Panera Bread

Marshall’s

Bed Bath & Beyond

This section helps highlight what you’ll find within this walkable Gulf Gate shopping Village.

Ross

Dress for Less

Iberia Bank

Five Below 1

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From Vintage to Modern An extension of your personality

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Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

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PICCOLO

SRQ

Italian Market & Deli

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EYE EXAMS AVAILABLE

$

complete frames* & lenses

89 bifocal

| $189 progressive digital lenses

69 single vision

bring your prescription • FREE FRAMES while supplies last.

Pay only for plastic lenses • FREE ultrasound cleaning of glasses • Most repairs available on site

941.444.7984 onlyeyesoptical.com

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THE SHOP SRQ 6625 Gateway Ave.

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Traditional, Old School Barber Shop

“We Straight Razor Shave” 15 Years + Experience

www.TheShopSrq.com

& Vegetarian Sandwiches

6541 Superior Avenue Gulf GAte BuSineSS DiStrict SArASotA, fl 34231

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Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

Hot or Cold

$

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Superior Avenue

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Beall’s Outlet

Mall Mall Drive Drive

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Gateway Avenue

Books-AMillion

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

Siesta Nails & Spa

941-925-2400

Hooters

Sun Trust

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Original Word of Mouth 6604 Gateway Ave. Sarasota, FL 34231

Publix

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.

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Eat Where The Locals Eat!

Stein Mart

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www.siestasand.net

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

941.626.4894 / 941.536.1656 • No Appointment Needed •

TONSORIAL ARTISTRY

BY ERICK & DAWN

Open Tues.-Fri. 8:30 AM-6 PM Sat. 11/1 - 5/30; 8:30-3 PM Sat. 6/1 - 10/31; 8:30 AM - 1 PM

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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

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE Continued from the previous page

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. 6500 Gateway Ave. – 941554-8905.

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.

Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-32): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their recipes and techniques have been perfected through three long generations based on the traditional simplicity of the methods used by their

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Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m. 6574 Superior Ave., 941-924-5800.

Pride of the South (S-34) Pride of the South 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. 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 with no limit to size. Call (941)926-0099.

See you soon.

Gulf Gate Food + Beer (S-51): Sarasota’s late-night hot spot for the service industry, night owls, and midnight snackers.

It’s not your typical sports bar offering unique menu selections for carnivores and vegetarians.

Be sure to check out their menu online at: eatfooddrinkbeer.com.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.).

One Minute Key Shop (GG51): Left your keys in the car?

No worries, the One Minute Key Shop will help you safely unlock and retrieve your keys.

They specialize in high security locks, keys, re-keying, master keying and safes for residential, commercial or automotive. Call for more info: 941-924-8020 or visit their showroom.

Roberts Realty

ROBERTS REALTY, Inc. (M5) John Garner, Broker Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker Assoc. have a combined 40 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. FOR BUYERS, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs and matching that as close as possible. FOR SELLERS, over the years we have successfully listed and sold many, many properties throughout Sarasota County.

OUR PHILOSOPHY is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals. We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941924-2330 or drop by our office.

Only Eyes, Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Licensed and experienced optician available to fill your prescriptions. Only Eyes Optical has a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with their licensed optician.

Mellow Mushroom serves a one of a kind pizza pie. The flavors and ingredients are just as unique and special as the restaurant’s design. Try a Mellow Mushroom stone-baked pizza, munchies, calzone, salad, hoagie, or even a burger. Pick from our selection of 24 draft beers or tasty, handcrafted cocktails. And, many of our pizzas can be made glutenfree or vegan. Located at 6727 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-388-7504.

John Garner Broker Associate

Diane Shane Broker Associate

941-924-2330

Working with Sarasota Buyers & Sellers since 1969 • Local Expertise • Proven Track Record • Happy Clients Condos, Villas, Single Family Homes & Investments

We are with you every step of the way!

M-5 2621 Mall Dr., Sarasota RobertsRealty@comcast.net www.SarasotaCoast.com

27th State Media LLC

Island Chatter

31

Continued from page 25

The tourist development tax in Sarasota County is 5%; it is imposed on rentals of all accommodations for six months or less time.

During the Jan. 16 meeting of Sarasota County’s Tourist Development Council, members of that board discussed the increasing number of rentals of vacation properties through online platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

The proposed state bill makes the case for what is called “state preemption” of local laws with the following statement: “Property owners who choose to use their property as a vacation rental have constitutionally protected property rights and other rights that must be protected, including the right to use their residential property as a vacation rental.”

The bill adds, “Vacation rentals play a significant, unique, and critical role in this state’s tourism industry, and that role is different from other types of public lodging establishments.” It further notes, “Vacation rentals are residential in nature, a residential use, and thus permitted in residential neighborhoods.”

As evidenced by discussion during the Jan. 9 Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, short-term vacation rentals of homes in single-family neighborhoods remain a focus of frustration for many residents on the island. Discussions at SKA meetings over the past couple of years have centered on disruptions such as loud partying at night and the attraction of vermin to garbage piled up at curbsides for days before Waste Management makes its weekly collection on the Key. The proposed bill does say that local governments may “regulate activities that arise when a property is used as a vacation rental if the law, ordinance, or regulation applies uniformly to all residential properties without regard to whether the property is used as a vacation rental as defined in the Florida Statutes, the property is used as a long-term rental as defined in chapter 83 of the state statutes, or the property owner chooses not to rent the property.”

On Jan. 13, Senate Bill 1128 won a favorable report from the Senate Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee on an 8-2 vote, according to a Florida Senate webpage.

The bill formally was introduced in the Senate on Jan. 14, when the 2020 legislative session opened.

Siesta transportation study to be presented to commission At some point in the early part of this year, the Sarasota County Commission is expected to hear a presentation on a study begun in 2019 that is assessing ways to improve transportation to Siesta Key and on the island itself.

That news was part of a wrap-up County Administration provided to the commissioners during their regular meeting on Jan. 14.

With the new year underway, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis asked his deputy county administrator and his two assistant administrators to update the board members on the status of the commission’s top priorities for 2019.

As SNL reported in November, a note on the formal document provided to the board members prior to the Jan. 14 meeting says that the Public Works Department hired a consultant to undertake that study. The consultant met with leaders of organizations on the Key and others in an effort to pinpoint the most important transportation issues.

The draft report was completed in December 2019. The work on the study was halfway complete by the end of 2019, according to the document provided to the commissioners for their Jan. 14 meeting.

The document added that the report’s findings could be included in a comprehensive study of all of the county’s barrier island transportation issues.

Then, county representatives could work through the SarasotaManatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to try to win funding from the state to pursue specific initiatives.

Continued on page 40

32

Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

Florida Fish of Siesta Key

Red Snapper

941.312.0665

Water World

Captain Brian Boehm Fishing Report

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 941-349-4400

Yellowtail Florida Puffer Sailfish Spanish Mackerel Dohlpin “Mahi-Mahi”

Mangrove Snapper Scoolmaster Lane Snapper Scamp Black Mullet Snook Red Drum “Redfish”

Flats fishing in the inshore waters around CB’s Saltwater Outfitters in Sarasota, FL continues to provide exciting action for anglers fishing on charters with Quiet Waters Fishing.

We connected with some large jack crevalle while throwing plugs on the flats on a recent trip. Jacks have been moving down the ICW and spilling out onto flats where they ravage mullet and other small forage fish.

These fish are powerful and fast.

The commotion they make while feeding is quite a sight. When they hang around for a bit, you have the opportunity for multiple hookups on light tackle.

Snook

Snook fishing has been best at night on dock lights and in the day up our brackish rivers. Dock lights continue to be a great place to catch snook right now. Anglers willing to go out after dark in search of these fish are being rewarded with snook of all sizes. This is the time of year when a fly rod can really out fish traditional tackle on dock lights. We’re still doing well with snook using gurglers in the back country. The few snook we encountered on the flats were caught on jigs with paddle tails.

Jack Crevalle

Snook

Redfish

Redfish Tarpon

Baracuda

Gulf Flounder

Florida Pompano Jack Crevalle

Redfish of all sizes continue to be plentiful in the waters around Sarasota, FL. We found them in a variety of locations over the last week. Broken edges of mangrove islands, sandbars, and potholes all held fish. Getting skinny in our brackish rivers is not a bad option either. Mirrolure lil johns and paddle tails on jig heads were better options than spoons over the last week.

Redfish remained on dock lights and are best observed either vacuuming the bottom or charging through the lights. They are normally willing eaters on dock lights.

Seatrout AmberJack

Spotted Sea Trout

Cobia

Black Drum

Catfish

We’re still catching seatrout on the Mirrolure Mirrodine XL, but paddle tails on jig heads produced higher numbers. The Mirrodine XL seems to work best on bigger fish, it does a great job of triggering larger seatrout to come off the bottom too eat. If you’re into numbers, then go with soft plastics and fish the deeper grass. We found areas of deep grass holding good numbers of class-size seatrout. If you’re working to find big seatrout, then go with an XL or a soft plastic profile that offers a larger meal. The pattern on larger seatrout changed during the warm up and they were more difficult to find. The fresh cold front, currently ripping through our area, should put larger seatrout into more predictable patterns.

Looking Ahead King Mackerel

Blue Marlin

Black Grouper

Sheesphead

This cold front should send fish back into winter patterns. Delaying fishing departure times until later in the morning can make a significant difference. Waiting for the sun to get a bit higher in the sky gives the shallow water more time to warm up and for the fish to become more active. Deeper canals should provide some decent action on cold mornings. Shallow water with dark bottom will warm quickly on cold mornings and some areas will be holding fish. Redfish and seatrout will be less impacted by the cold than snook.

Seatrout

www.siestasand.net

Big Catch Nets Record for Local Fishing Captain Sarasota-based Fishing Captain Jason Boyll and five friends ended 2019 in record fashion – catching a 350 lb.

Warsaw Grouper and estimated to be 50-plus years old, according to biologists from FWC Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.

“Biologists from FWRI’s Age & Growth Lab estimated the age of this fish at 50 Jason Boyll and Alex Kompothecras years old, making with their record catch. this the oldest Photo courtesy of Jason Boyll sample collected for our ageing program,” the FWC said. “Acquiring the otolith from this fish was extremely valuable as samples from larger and older fish are rare.”

Otoliths are the hard structures located behind the brain of bony fishes, according to the FWC. They help fish hear, maintain balance and orient themselves.

Scientists use the growth structure of otoliths to estimate a fish’s age.

Social media hasn’t been kind to Boyll likening his prize catch to trophy hunting. However, he has a very different perspective. “The first call I made was to the FWC Fish & Wildlife Research Institute,” said Boyll.

“The research these scientists can do will help everyone better understand the environmental impact on fish and what we need to do to preserve their habitat.”

“Then, of course, the amount of meals and people this fish will feed is quite extensive.,” continued Boyll. “It has already been fileted and is ready for consumption.”

Boyll is also using his newly found media status and platform to promote a non-profit group he started, Suncoast Marine Research.

“Suncoast Marine Research is aimed at creating a network to connect recreational fishermen and biological studies in need of data and samples” said Boyll. “We are trying to create something that will encourage commercial and recreational fishermen to donate their catches to research.” The website address for Suncoast Marine Research is suncoastmarineresearch.com.

Captain Boyll caught the massive fish using hook and line at a water depth of 600 feet. He was using Bonita for bait. It took, Boyll and his five friends nearly 45 minutes to get the fish on board the boat.

Boyll’s record-catch isn’t the largest Warsaw Grouper ever caught. A 436-pound Warsaw Grouper was caught in December of 1985 off the Gulf of Mexico in Florida.

The largest fish on the list is a 680-pound Goliath Grouper that was caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, in May 1961.

Boyll is a US Marine and USCG Captain for hire at So/nar Fishing based out of Sarasota, Florida.

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Report Adventure Charters 941-371-1390

Sheepshead are very reliable in February for Siesta Key anglers

February is the last month of winter here in Sarasota. There will be days when it feels like spring is in the air. But, weather patterns will still be unstable, and fishing will follow suit. Being flexible and understanding how weather affects fish behavior will be the key to angling success this month.

On many mornings the tide will be very low, especially with a hard northeast wind following a cold front. Under these conditions, fishing the afternoon high tide is often a better choice. Also avoid the areas near the passes after a blow, the cold and dirty water is not conducive to success.

One species that anglers can count on most every trip in February is sheepshead. They bite better in cold, dirty water than most other species do. Also, redfish, black drum, and flounder will be caught on the same structure and using the same techniques that are effective for sheepies. Basically, any structure will attract sheepshead.

From the rocks at the west end to the Siesta Drive Bridge on the east side, the north end of Siesta Key is a great area to fish. Deep water, docks, rocks, seawalls, and rip-rap will attract and hold fish. All of the bridges and docks in both Big Pass and New Pass may hold fish, as well as the docks and oyster bars south to Albee Rd. The preferred rig is a #1 live bait hook with a 24” piece of 20 lb leader and just enough weight to hold bottom. Live and frozen shrimp,

fiddler crabs, sand fleas, and oyster worms are the top baits. Shrimp are the easiest bait to obtain and work great. Sheepshead bite very lightly.

Usually, it starts with several light “taps”. It is important not to move the bait at all, the fish will sense that something is wrong. Instead, wait for a steady pull, then reel fast and raise the rod tip sharply.

Anglers fishing from Siesta Key beaches should do well when the surf is clear. Whiting will be abundant and silver trout, flounder, pompano, sheepshead, ladyfish and other species will hit live or frozen shrimp fished near the bottom.

The deeper grass flats all throughout the area will be productive for speckled trout this month. Incoming tides a couple hours before high tide are usually the best times to fish. Again, avoid the areas around the passes when dirty water is present. Bass Assasin jigs, suspending plugs, gold spoons, and live shrimp under a popping cork are all effective baits.

Pompano, jack crevelle, ladyfish, and bluefish all feed over the deep grass.

Snook will be found in area rivers, creeks and residential canals, along with redfish, drum, flounder, sheepshead, and jacks.

Jerk baits, scented soft plastics, and live shrimp will all produce fished near structure in creeks and canals. We are shaping up to have an actual “winter”, this should trigger a river snook migration.

Kathleen D Sailing Catamarans Let’s go sailing, KATHLEEN D Sailing Catamarans, serving Siesta Key from 3 locations: Downtown Sarasota, Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island. If you would like to experience being on the water viewing Dolphin Watches, Sunset Sails, Snorkeling and Shelling call us at 941-870-4349 or go to our web site for detailed information www.kathleend.net USCG Certified for 20 passengers.

FEBRUARY 2020

27th State Media LLC

Notes from the Island Fishmonger

33

Welcome Back Snowbirds Yes, we welcome you back my snowbird friends and I mean that affectionately. I, for one, missed you.

It’s always so quiet when you’re gone. Now it’s time to thaw out and chill out at the same time. Let’s see… this is what happened on Siesta Key while you were gone. Besides a lot of future development and parking talks, NOTHING and that’s the way we like it! No hurricanes, no sign of red tide, both the water and air are fresh & clean and no worries. Just small businesses, beautiful beaches, and some of the best golf in the world.

So go get your shopping on at local shops such as Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures, have a bowl of Clam Chowder from Captain Curt’s, get your Grouper sandwich from Big Water Fish Market, enjoy a coffee at Mojo Risin’ in the Village or a cocktail at the Crescent Club… whatever your Florida fix is, let’s get it in and start living like a Floridian.

While you’re getting your Florida fix, don’t forget to take the Siesta Key Breeze. It’s is a free trolley that will take you anywhere on the island from the Village to Turtle Beach. The open air trolleys run about every 20 mins. Sunday-Thursday 8a-10p and Friday/Saturday 8a-midnight. Use them! Also the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is located at 5114 Ocean Blvd. and is a great source for all things Siesta Key. From dining, shopping, accommodations, things to do, etc…they are the go-to experts!

Fresh From Florida Fish Report When we think of fresh foods indigenous to Florida, there a few culinary standouts such as produce and seafood. Now that we are shopping local, the Florida produce crops that are in season for February and March include bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, grapefruit, oranges, mangos, strawberries and tangerines.

When it comes to food “Fresh is Best.” We should all make it a habit to eat seasonally and organic.

Products are healthier and tastier when fresh. Plus, eating seasonally encourages a diverse diet and is often more economical. Look for the “Fresh from Florida” label that gives you the confidence of knowing what items are local and in season.

The key to knowing what to look for when shopping is knowing what’s fresh. This is the reason I shop for food at local markets over a national grocery chain when I can (although I know we all depend on major chain grocery stores for many of life’s must haves). When it comes to buying fresh, I will always choose to support the local markets such as Crescent Beach Grocery and Morton’s Siesta Market on the island that can provide sustainable foods by retailers who have the knowledge of where the product came from and how it was raised. You never have to leave the Key to find fresh and local foods.

Stone Crabs, Tripletail, Hogfish, Amberjack, Cobia and Wahoo are a few of the local fresh catch that will be available at your Big Water Fish Market and Restaurant on a consistent basis this winter.

When you’re talking seafood, “sustainable” is a word you must look for. Seafood is sustainable when the population of that species of fish is managed in a way that provides for today’s needs without damaging the ability of the species to reproduce and be available for future generations. If you buy fish managed under a U.S. Fishery Management Plan, you can be assured it meets 10 national standards.

Florida fishermen are required to follow federal and state laws when harvesting seafood. The Florida seafood industry provides 84% of the nation’s supply of grouper, pompano, mackerel, stone crabs, pink shrimp and spiny lobsters.

In order to protect the fish population and make the species sustainable, there are many restrictions and seasonal closings on local fishermen that allow our fish to reproduce. These closings have a lot to do with the fluctuating market prices. For instance, starting February 1st the Gulf of Mexico on the Mexican side is closed to grouper fishing every year for 3 months.

That means all of the grouper we eat comes from the Florida Coast. That’s good but because we are also supplying Mexico with all of their grouper, the price of grouper is always more expensive in the spring.

Visitors think that the cost goes up just for the tourist season but this is simply not true. It is the supply and demand affect we are feeling… the price increase at this time of the year is simply due to a yearly closing that affects our area. No worries though as there will be plenty of grouper available as well as plenty of local pompano, mangrove, and yellowtail snappers to ease the situation. If you want truly fresh and wild caught from Florida fish, packed with health benefits and the flavor of the sea, you might have to pay a few bucks more but it’s worth it.

EAT FRESH, EAT LOCAL, EAT SUSTAINABLE!!

Big Water Fish Market www.BigWaterFishMarket.com 6641 Midnight Pass Road, Crescent Plaza – 941-554-8101 6639 Midnight Pass Road, Crescent Plaza – 941-203-5972

FEBRUARY 2020 TIDE CHART Florida, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sarasota Bay

February 2020

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

1

Sa

5:25a

High Tide 0.9

5:08p

High Tide 1.6

12:11a

Low Tide

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

0.2

11:22a

2

Su

7:21a

0.8

5:52p

1.6

3

Mo

6:41p

1.6

4

Tu

7:36p

5

We

8:33p

6

Th

12:59p

1.1

9:30p

7

Fr

1:19p

1.1

8

Sa

1:37p

1.1

9

Su

1:54p

1.1

10

Mo

12:12a

2.1

2:13p

11

Tu

1:06a

2.0

12

We

2:02a

1.8

13

Th

3:03a

14

Fr

15

Sa

16

Low Tide 0.5

7:17a

6:11p

11:53a

12:10a

1:30a

0.1

11:52a

0.6

7:17a

6:12p

12:28p

1:03a

2:47a

-0.1

7:16a

6:12p

1:06p

1:59a

1.7

3:54a

-0.3

7:16a

6:13p

1:50p

2:56a

1.9

4:50a

-0.6

7:15a

6:14p

2:40p

3:55a

2.0

5:39a

-0.7

3:43p

1.0

7:15a

6:15p

3:37p

4:55a

10:25p

2.1

6:23a

-0.8

4:45p

1.0

7:14a

6:16p

4:40p

5:53a

11:18p

2.1

7:04a

-0.8

5:41p

0.8

7:13a

6:16p

5:47p

6:48a

7:44a

-0.8

6:35p

0.6

7:13a

6:17p

6:55p

7:38a

1.1

8:22a

-0.6

7:30p

0.5

7:12a

6:18p

8:03p

8:24a

2:34p

1.2

8:58a

-0.5

8:28p

0.4

7:11a

6:19p

9:10p

9:06a

2:58p

1.3

9:33a

-0.2

9:31p

0.2

7:10a

6:19p

10:16p

9:46a

1.6

3:28p

1.5

10:05a

0.1

10:42p

0.1

7:10a

6:20p

11:20p

10:25a

4:16a

1.2

4:03p

1.6

10:34a

0.4

7:09a

6:21p

5:57a

0.9

4:45p

1.7

12:03a

0.0

10:59a

0.6

7:08a

6:21p

12:23a

11:44a

Su

5:38p

1.7

1:34a

-0.2

7:07a

6:22p

1:26a

12:28p

17

Mo

6:42p

1.8

3:01a

-0.3

7:06a

6:23p

2:27a

1:15p

18

Tu

7:55p

1.8

4:13a

-0.5

7:06a

6:24p

3:26a

2:05p

19

We

9:03p

1.8

5:09a

-0.6

7:05a

6:24p

4:21a

2:58p

20

Th

12:54p

1.2

10:01p

1.8

5:53a

-0.6

4:32p

1.0

7:04a

6:25p

5:12a

3:53p

21

Fr

1:06p

1.2

10:50p

1.8

6:29a

-0.6

5:27p

0.9

7:03a

6:26p

5:58a

4:49p

22

Sa

1:16p

1.2

11:32p

1.8

7:00a

-0.5

6:11p

0.7

7:02a

6:26p

6:39a

5:44p

23

Su

1:24p

1.2

7:27a

-0.4

6:50p

0.6

7:01a

6:27p

7:16a

6:37p

24

Mo

12:11a

1.7

1:32p

1.3

7:51a

-0.3

7:27p

0.5

7:00a

6:28p

7:50a

7:30p

25

Tu

12:49a

1.6

1:43p

1.4

8:14a

-0.1

8:05p

0.4

6:59a

6:28p

8:21a

8:22p

26

We

1:27a

1.6

1:59p

1.5

8:36a

0.0

8:45p

0.2

6:58a

6:29p

8:52a

9:13p

27

Th

2:08a

1.5

2:20p

1.6

8:59a

0.2

9:31p

0.1

6:57a

6:29p

9:22a

10:04p

28

Fr

2:54a

1.3

2:46p

1.6

9:21a

0.4

10:23p

0.1

6:56a

6:30p

9:53a

10:56p

29

Sa

3:49a

1.1

3:17p

1.7

9:43a

0.6

11:25p

0.0

6:55a

6:31p

10:26a

11:49p

©2020 FreeTideTables.com - For comparison only - Times are local - Tides in feet from MLLW

Phase 1st

Full

11:04a 3rd

New

34

Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

941.312.0665

Illegal short-term rentals “What would be your guess about… illegal RSF residential single-family rentals on the island?”

“Holy cow,” was Ware’s initial response. “It’s incredible out here… Probably over 250 or 350 illegal rentals between homes and condos on the Key,” Ware added.

When a SKA member asked for confirmation that singlefamily homes legally can be rented no more frequently than every 30 days, Ware replied that that is true, unless the owner is a member of a homeowners association that has different rules.

SKA Director Jean Cannon also pointed out that some areas with single-family homes on the island have different regulations.

For example, she said, part of Canal Road is zoned to allow weekly rentals.

“That’s correct,” Ware said.

Areas around Siesta Village and the South Village are dominated by residential multi-family (RMF) zoning, Ware also noted. Those

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Continued from cover story

Worries about real estate agents

Real Estate agent Curt Ware of Keller Williams

properties can be rented in some cases on a daily basis or a three-day basis, he told the audience.

“It’s an issue out here on the Key for sure,” Ware summed up the illegal rentals situation.

SKA Director Joe Volpe — who was not present that evening — has done extensive work on behalf of the nonprofit in trying to help county Code Enforcement staff pursue cases against homeowners who violate the county’s regulations, Director Robert Luckner noted.

Code Enforcement staff members have had trouble collecting the necessary data to prove their allegations of property owners violating the county regulations, Luckner continued. However, he added that he believed the Key’s primary Code Enforcement officer, Susan Stahley, has “some test cases… now.”

When SNL asked county staff about that, Media Relations Officer Drew Winchester responded in a Jan. 13 email on behalf of Code Enforcement: “They are not working on test cases. They are citing the transient rental code, when applicable.”

The code makes it clear that in county districts zoned for Residential Single-Family (RSF) homes, “All leases must be AT LEAST 30 days emphasis in a flyer Winchester provided the News Leader.”

Asked how many illegal shortterm rentals the Code Enforcement staff is pursuing on Siesta, Winchester told SNL on Jan. 15 that three Notices of Violations had been issued. “All three are pending Affidavit of Violation,” he added.

County staff has explained that when a Code Enforcement officer has sufficient documentation of a violation, the officer issues a Notice of Violation to the property owner. That advises the owner to correct the situation. Then, after what the County Code says is “a reasonable period of time,” if the situation continues, the affidavit is issued. That can lead to a hearing before a Code Enforcement Special Magistrate and, potentially, a court hearing.

During the discussion SKA President Catherine Luckner told Ware, “I’ve always wondered, is there any requirement by the state or Florida Statute that Realtors have to disclose to the buyer how the zoning of a parcel impacts the use?”

“Real good question,” Ware replied. “My answer is, I don’t know. … If so, there’d be a lot of people in trouble.”

He is quite familiar, he indicated, with examples of real estate agents not having given buyers the correct information about properties before making sales. “I’ve helped people out of nightmare scenarios.”

Marlene Merkle, an Avenida de Mayo resident, pointed out that she has lived on Avenida de Mayo for 39 years and has worked for the Venice Area Board of Realtors for 37 years (she is the executive director). If an agent is aware of issues with a property on the market, she said, the agent is legally obligated to provide that information to a prospective buyer.

“We’ve had properties on our street that were illegally rented,” she added.

“The information a buyer receives is only as good as the agent knows,” Ware pointed out. Conveyance of inadequate information to prospective buyers is “rampant out here on the Key,” he said, though a number of agents on Siesta “are very good.”

Ware advised the audience members, “Be careful.”

SKA Director Robert Luckner talked of steps the nonprofit’s leaders have taken to try to prevent problems. For example, he said, “If you’re renting, you cannot claim a homestead exemption… We started reporting people to Sarasota County Property Appraiser Bill Furst, and he was real happy. It slowed things down a little bit.”

Moreover, Merkle of Avenida de Mayo explained that a person can make an anonymous report to the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office.

Robert Luckner further noted that the County Commission had approved a change in its Code Enforcement regulations to provide for the imposition of a fine up to $5,000 a day, instead of the $250-per-day minimum for violations of the rental regulations.

He called the latter “a slap on the wrist.”

Matt Osterhoudt, director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, explained to SKA members in January 2019 that the $5,000 fine would be considered in the most egregious cases.

“Don’t stop complaining!”

Luckner urged the audience members.

www.siestakeyassociation.com

MONTHLY MEETING Thursday, February 6 • 4:30 PM

Open for dinner from 4pm - 9pm 3900 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 952-3186 www.chiantisarasota.com

St. Boniface Church Parish Hall 5615 Midnight Pass Road

RON TURNER, Supervisor of Elections Sarasota County SUBJECT: 2020 Voting Districts, Voter Registration and more!

SPEAKER:

public is always welcome with questions for our guests.

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

Arts on the Horizon

Love and Death in Sarasota Yes, it’s that time of year again Old love, new love, every kind of love including true love. And everyone dies.

Yes, that time of year - the opera is back at the Sarasota Opera House. La Bohème is first up, the tale of a group of bohemians who starve, and sing, and make love, in no particular order, in the Latin Quarter of Paris back in the 1840s. Why the 1840s?

That is when the industrial revolution came to France, and to Paris. Factories opened, a new middle class was emerging, and with it, the rebellious children of that middle class. These young artists were called bohemians, after the Romani people, who did not come from Bohemia (go figure). A lot of the marginally employed did not have good healthcare coverage, and low cost housing was quite, quite crowded, so naturally all the seamstresses in Paris got tuberculous, including Mimi. Kind of the thing to do back then. Anyway, a writer falls in love with her and she dies. Tragic, but with really good music (Puccini). Side note: Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the NBC Orchestra in the 1950s, conducted the premiere of this opera in 1896. Bravo for him.

Charles Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet is also being performed in February. This opera is different in that two people die right away, and two people die at the end. The opera is based on Shakespeare’s famous English play and takes place in Verona, Italy so, of course, it is sung in French. But the music is beautiful, and the story line is tragic, but that is how opera is made. Actually, this is a very modern tale (first written in the 1500s) about class warfare. One family is rich and urban

27th State Media LLC

35

By Rodger Skidmore

while the other is poorer and kind of rural - so naturally the children of these families (in Shakespeare’s version Juliet is 13) fall in love. And die.

The Donizetti opera Maitasunaren Elixir, originally set in the Basque part of northern Spain, is being performed at the Opera House beginning in late February. As Sarasota and New York have few Basque speakers, let alone Basque singers, the opera will be titled The Elixir of Love and will be sung in Italian. Spoiler Alert: Nobody dies, they just sing beautiful songs accompanied by lovely music.

The opera La Wally (not the operatic version of the animated film Wall-E) has a fantastic plot as well as great music. In the first act there is an argument where the protagonists are carrying guns (nobody is shot) but you know someone will die. Too bad it doesn’t open until March - can’t tell you more about it now. SarasotaOpera.org.

If you were a “Month”, which one would you be?

How about being “February”. The Sarasota Orchestra is playing so much this month that everyone will be able to hear multiple things that they will enjoy. The Orchestra has so many concerts scheduled that they added an extra day to February (the 29th) just to fit everything in. Even their Dvořák concert on Feb. 1st and 2nd has to start on January 30th - what a month!

Dvořák’s Violin Concerto in A minor is so intensely listenable that they brought in Sarah Chang to do the four performances justice. That same concert contains three of Dvořák’s Legends - originally written as piano duets but orchestrated by Dvořák prior to publication. Plus bonus selections

by Janáček and Debussy.

Bigger can sometimes be better.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, the Eroica, is big enough to fill an entire concert especially as Jeffrey Kahane not only

“20 MINUTES TO A STRONGER YOU”™ ITS’ TIME TO EVOLVE!

conducts this February 6th special performance but presents his insights (with musical examples played by orchestra members) along with this marvelous work.

Additionally there is a special chamber performance on Feb. 9th (very close to Valentine’s Day) which musically explores the Love Triangle between Brahms and Clara Schumann after Robert Schumann was institutionalized. Robert’s Three Romances for Oboe and Piano, Clara’s Three Romances for Violin and Piano, and Brahms’ Sextet in G Major, add up to a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

On, before, and after Valentine’s Day (12-16) the Heart and Soul version of Great Escapes is at the Van Wezel. Light hearted fare for the light of heart. Have someone special or just thinking of someone special?

This is the pops/light classic concert for you - and for them. A masterworks presentation, Sound of Nobility continues the music with Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello. It has been said to be “one of the most rapturous concertos ever composed.” That description might be pushing it a bit, but then, can you think of more than three that are more rapturous? British conductor Bramwell Tovey conducts, with solo artists Simone Porter on violin and Joshua Roman on cello. The Rob Roy Overture by Berlioz and William Walton’s Symphony No. 1 round out these performances on the 21st - 23rd.

Thrill of a Lifetime is a special event at the Riverview Performing Arts Center on the 29th. Members of the Sarasota Youth Philharmonic are thrilled to be playing alongside members of the Sarasota Orchestra and you’ll be thrilled by what you hear. Starting on the 27th and running into the first day of March is another chamber concert, Symphony to Serenade.

Selections start with a brass symphony

by Jan Koetsier, continues with a trio by Ibert, and ends with Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings in E Major. Venues and times at sarasotaorchestra.org/concerts.

One of Twenty-Seven A couple of years ago a two act play titled Grounded played at Florida Studio Theatre here in Sarasota as one of their Stage III presentations. It was strong and mesmerizing.

Why, one thinks, was it such a penetrating experience? One could say, “Well, it was the acting.” Or, “Oh!, it was so topical that it really hit home.” Sure, it was great for those reasons and more. But how about, “It was just so well written.”

The playwright, George Brant, has, at last count, written 27 plays with Grounded being the only one to be produced here in Sarasota. In February that number will double - to two - when Into The Breeches! opens as FSU’s Asolo Rep production up on the North Trail. Time-wise there will be no reason to miss this show as it runs from Feb.12 - March 21.

There are, of course, reasons other than having a free evening to travel 4.7 miles north of Main Street - mainly the writing, directing, acting, and the sets.

The Providence Journal wrote “...one of the sweetest nights of theatre you’re likely to see this season...”

This comic drama is being directed

by Laura Kepley, artistic director of the Cleveland Playhouse, who directed an earlier production of it at the Chautauqua Festival in 2018.

During the last World War, back when only men went to war, the women of America filled the gaps when so many men were absent. You’ve read the tales of all the Rosie the Riveters and others who flocked to the factories across the US. Women became traffic cops, bus drivers and, in Into The Breeches!, male actors. A comedy tracking how women continued to come into their own. Asolorep.org.

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SARASOTA INSTITUTE OF LIFETIME LEARNING Our 49th Year For more information visit www.sillsarasota.org

Global Issues Lectures 10:30 am: First United Methodist Church 104 S. Pineapple Ave. Monday Music sessions 10:30 am: Church of the Palms 3224 Bee Ridge Rd TUESDAY (GLOBAL) 4

St. Michael’s Catholic Church 5394 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key 941-349-4174 www.stmichaelssiesta.com

F 11 E The United States and China B David Lampton R U 18 The Missing Story A of American Politics R Hedrick Smith Y 25

St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key 941-349-5616 www.bonifacechurch.org

Siesta Key Chapel, Presbyterian 4615 Gleason Ave, Siesta Key 941-349-1166 www.siestakeychapel.org

Is U.S.-Iran War Looming?

Ray Takeyh

American Alliances in Asia Kathleen Stephens

MONDAY (MUSIC)

WEDNESDAY (GLOBAL) 5

Iran’s Revolution at 40 Ray Takeyh

12

China’s Modern Infrastructure Push in the World David Lampton 19

26

Economic Inequality & Campaign 2020 Hedrick Smith The North Korean Challenge and What To Do About It Kathleen Stephens

3

THURSDAY (GLOBAL) 6

America’s Nation-Building Efforts - What Have We Learned?

Jeremi Suri

13

20

Driven to Extremes Margaret Jay Solutions to Slavery in Our Country Laurel Bellows

27

Fateful Choices in the Middle East: Israel and the United States Dennis Ross

10 17 Amy Burton Romm Family Trio Jason Vieaux and John Musto Trumpets and Piano Classical Guitar Soprano and Piano

24

Todd Thomas Baritone

Blooming This Month: African Tulip Tree Extravagant in every way, the African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) is known throughout the world as one of the most beautiful of all the flowering trees. A statement tree to add to your landscape, if you have the room.

This tree can grow to the height of about 80’ and about a width of 40’. Grows well in Southern Florida and is a drought resistant tree. This impressive specimen has gigantic clusters of reddish-orange or golden- yellow trumpet shaped flowers and huge glossy green leaves. The flowers are pollinated by bird and bats. The seeds are scattered by water and wind. Currently in bloom in 2 locations at Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, Florida.

Please come and visit the newly landscaped gardens.

The office is open from 9am-1pm, Monday through Friday. Visit our website for more information:

SarasotaGardenClub.org, and follow us on Facebook.

Upcoming events: Shivoo Garden Party Fashion Show-Feb. 10th and Gardens in Paradise Tour Mar. 14th.

Submitted by Kay Weber, Sarasota Garden Club, Botanical Gardens Chair. www.sarasotagardenclub.org

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.

WEEKLY BEACH CLASSES: • FREE T’AI CHI CHIH - Siesta Beach, Access #5 - Every Monday, 15 minutes before sunset. Open to all, no experience necessary. Contact Diana Daffner 941346- 1024 for information. (Access #5 is in Siesta Village, where Beach Rd. meets Ocean Blvd.)

• FREE YOGA - Mon.-Wed.-Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. Classes held between blue and green lifeguard station. Call 941-320-6693 to register or go to website for more info. www.yogaonsiestabeach.com/about • NIA - Tues. & Thurs., 9 a.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 – 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 • YOGA ON TURTLE BEACH – Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 am. Residents and visitors on the south end of Siesta Key can enjoy All-Levels Yoga through April 9, 2020. For more information about location or registration, please e-mail Julie at: julie@chesapeakeyoga.com WEEKLY DRUM CIRCLE: • Every Sunday about an hour before sunset. South of the main pavilion. You can participate or watch this weekly

gathering and dance, hoop, play the drum or other musical instrument, and enjoy the spectacular Siesta sunset ON THE BEACH… • FEBRUARY 5, 12, 19, 26 (WEDS) 8-9:30AM / SUNRISE BEACH WALKS: Participants pay a one-time $5 registration fee. Each week, participants check in with Parks and Recreation staff between 8-9:30AM and after walking four weeks they receive an event t-shirt with original design and sponsor logos.

Contact 941-861- 5000 for details. Meet at the pavilion, then head to the beach.

Open to the public.

• FEBRUARY 14 (FRIDAY) 6-8PM / SAY I DO: A romantic beachside renewal of wedding vows, offering couples a beautiful backdrop to express their continuing love and commitment to one another. Couples renew their vows at this non-denominational sunset ceremony then enjoy weddingthemed refreshments. Couples receive a beautiful certificate to commemorate this very special ceremony. Registration is required ($15). Call 941-861- 7275 to register.

AROUND THE ISLAND… • WEEKLY FARMER’S MARKET IN THE VILLAGE: 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.

• EXPRESS LUNCH & STUDY: Every Wednesday, Noon, at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Avenue (at Ocean Blvd) Stimulating Bible study in a way that allows you to learn in a relaxed environment. Take a break during your day, bring your lunch and Bible to a class that studies a book of the Bible a little bite at a time. Free and open to the community.

(941) 349-1166, siestakeychapel.org • FEBRUARY 14 (FRI) 5-8 PM SIESTA KEY VALENTINE STROLL: Residents and visitors are invited to come to Siesta Key for Valentine kisses!

Participating merchants will be displaying balloons outside of their businesses.

Siesta Key offers romantic destinations for you and your sweetheart and lots of fun for the whole family. To avoid parking problems, you can use the FREE Siesta Key Breeze Trolley. Sponsored by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and Island Business Committee. Call 941349-3800 for more information.

• SIESTA KEY CRAFT FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 22 & 23 (SAT & SUN): VILLAGE, 10AM – 5PM: Free admission. Join us at the 26th Annual Siesta Key Craft Festival and discover wonderful creations from more than 100 crafters exhibiting and selling their work in an outdoor gallery. From photography, paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more showcased from local and traveling crafters as well as music and great food. For more information visit: www. ArtFestival.com or the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce at 941-3493800.

• FEBRUARY 8 & 22 (SAT) 8AM2PM- FLY FISHING SCHOOL: CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL has announced dates for their Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing schools for the upcoming spring timeframe; Feb. 8, Feb 22, and March 14, 2020. Located on Siesta Key, the schools will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast. Instructors, Capt. Rick Grassett and Capt. Ed Hurst, will also cover leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques. The course, designed for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basics but also work with intermediate casters on correcting faults and improving casting skills. Cost for the schools, which will run from 8:00 AM to 2 PM, is $195 per person and includes the use of Orvis fly tackle and lunch. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 3494400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.

AND BEYOND… • ANNUAL ST. MICHAEL the ARCHANGEL WOMEN’S GUILD FASHION SHOW-LUNCHEON: Wednesday, March 18th at Laurel Oak Country Club; 2700 Gary Player Blvd, Sarasota. Chicos’s on St. Armand Circle is providing the fashions. Reservations are $50.00 per person. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Lunch is at noon. Please send reservations to Kathy Caltagirone; 8700 Midnight Pass Rd, #404; Sarasota, FL 34242.

For questions, contact Kathy Roche at 941-346-0229.

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

Your Monthly Horoscope

with the exuberant Sun sailing through your flirty, festive zone until the 18th.

But your ruler, Venus, bolts in your partnership realm on the 7th, which helps solidify something that wasn’t “soup” yet. Single? Stop talking about all the things you know you “could” do and do ‘em! Make sure you know what you want out of this because if you put in enough effort, you can get it!

• SCORPIO (October 23– November 21): What have you wanted to communicate to a larger audience, Scorpio? On the 16th, your co-ruler, action planet Mars, joins your other ruler, intensifier Pluto, in your house of expression for six weeks, something that hasn’t happened in two years. This is not the time to be modest or play small: You could be sitting on a gold mine! Even more important, your message has the potential to help people in a way nobody else can.

• SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21): Just as you’re getting your budget back on track, a close friend or relative might get into a bit of a jam and turn to you for help. You don’t have to give until it hurts, you know. When communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in your domestic sphere from February 16th to March 9th, family matters might get complicated. Do what you can to help, but stay ever cognizant of difference between “empowering” and “enabling.”

• CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19): Your manifesting mojo hits a new high when activating Mars blasts into your sign for the first time in two years on the 16th. If you’ve felt like you had to take a back seat to others’ plans, it’s time to jump into the driver’s seat, grab the wheel and set the GPS to a destination of your choosing! These next six weeks are perfect for setting goals and reaching them in record time!

• AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): You might have had an awkward conversation with someone last month, which wasn’t easy but at least the issue was settled—or so you thought! Well… you might need to revisit the situation when communication planet turns retrograde on the 16th and returns to your sign for 12 days in early March. This time, be crystal-clear with your words so no one can possibly misinterpret them. No, Aquarius, you’re not being mean, just selfrespecting!

•PISCES (February 19–March 20): Auspicious Venus glides into your money zone on the 7th for her annual visit, giving you the Midas touch (for at least the rest of the month). You could receive an unexpected windfall, or a savvy investment might pay off handsomely. But this isn’t carte blanche to blow your budget! Especially when Mercury turns retrograde in your sign on the 16th for three weeks, make sure you read the fine print on every deal or purchase!

Suzanne Gerber (www.starsandstoneshealing.com, a locally based intuitive astrologer, shamanic/energy practitioner and spiritual life coach, is available for oneon-one private sessions in-person and over the phone (by appointment).

MarinerWord Search Answers on page 46 WORD LIST

WORD LIST

Adventure Landing Adventure Landing Andrew Jackson Andrew Ocean Jackson Atlantic Atlantic Ocean First Coast First Camp Coast Fish Florida Theatre Fish Camp Golf PGA Tour Florida Theatre Jaguars Football Golf PGA Tour Jax Ale Trail Jaguars Football Jaxsons Jax Ale City Trail Largest Jaxsons Live Music Largest City Maritime Museum Metropolitan Live Music Park Multicultural Maritime Museum Neptune Beach Metropolitan Park Rail Trail Multicultural Regency Square Neptune Beach Riverwalk Rail Trail Seaport Regency Square Southern Charm Riverwalk Sports Arena Spring SeaportBoat Show St Johns River Southern Charm Subtropical Sports Arena Treaty Oak Spring Boat Show Zoo And Gardens

St Johns River Subtropical Answers on Page 57 Treaty Oak

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• ARIES (March 21–April 19): If there’s one last winter getaway you’re dying to take, do it now! Your ruler, irrepressible Mars, wraps up its biennial visit to your travel sector on the 16th and blasts into your professional zone for six weeks. Then, you’ll want to do more than go through the motions.

Thanks to a fist-bump from transformer Uranus in your money house on the 21st, you might be in line for a raise or promotion based on the work you do this month!

• TAURUS (April 20–May 20): The first week of February might be your most social cycle since the holidays ended, so get those power lunches and dinner dates on the books, and rsvp yes to every party you’re invited to. Your mood is scheduled to change on the 7th, when your ruler, Venus, dips into your privacy sector. And once chatty Mercury goes retrograde in your community sector from the 16th until March 9th, your favorite activity will be Netflixand-chilling!

• GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Hit the gas on a big work or passion project early in the month because you could inexplicably lose support or momentum starting on the 16th. Your ruling planet, hyperkinetic Mercury, will spin into backward (retrograde) motion in your professional sector, making you feel like someone pulled the power plug. Keep at it, though; the energy starts to return with the February 23rd new moon and especially when the messenger planet straightens out on March 9th.

• CANCER (June 21-July 22): Just because you’re working behind the scenes doesn’t mean you’re invisible, Crab! You could do some of your most inspired work in a long time, especially if you’ve got a savvy collaborator or team to bounce ideas off of.

People will really start to take notice when Venus sails into your public sector on the 7th. And, on a personal note, a dynamic duo could reach cruising altitude when Mars blasts in on the 16th for six weeks.

• LEO (July 23–August 22): A budding relationship could blossom into something with real-deal promise this month while your ruler, the passionate Sun, sails through your houses of intimacy and partnership.

Have you been holding back parts of yourself in an attempt to “protect” your heart? If you want this to evolve, you’ve got to get vulnerable! Keep your schedule flexible on the 21st; an exciting work opportunity could fall into your lap, and you want to be able to turn on a dime!

• VIRGO (August 23-September 22): A romance might feel a little uncertain this month as your ruling planet, analytical Mercury, makes it annual move into your relationship sector on the 3rd but then backflips out of that house on the 16th. Then it’ll reverse into your work and service realm till March 9th, where it’ll stay for another week. If you rushed into something, this is a chance to reevaluate with more clarity. Don’t feel pressured to commit to anything until the second half of March!

• LIBRA (September 23–October 22): A new or longstanding romance is the main event this month

By Suzanne Gerber

37

27th State Media LLC

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ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 47 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 45 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 40

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: 5365 CALLE FLORIDA $1,1225,000 Quality and elegance come together in a symphony of style across 3 levels, with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, an elevator and an office/den with a lovely pool view. You’ll love whipping up Sunday Brunch in the impeccable kitchen, with its Carrera Marble countertops, a sleek closet pantry, gas cooking and a large feature sink with convenient pot filler faucet.

Flowing throughout the home are the finest quality finishes, while a soft and clean color palette reflects the calm island setting. On the 3rd floor, there’s plenty of space to gather in the family room, which features

LOWEST PRICED SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTY: 539 AVIENDA DEL NORTE $470,000 Charming vintage Siesta Key beach house with creative, artistic whimsy. Close to the beach with boating access across the street, direct to the Intracoastal Waterway, and can legally permit your own dock. If you’re in search of the casual, island living of yesteryear where bathing suits, bare feet and sand are the norm, this is the home for you.

Welcoming entry pergola with bench seating and a porch swing invite you into this one-level, three-bedroom, twobath home with over 2,200 square feet of air-conditioned space. Spacious kitchen with ample cabinetry, work area and seating banquette. Track and recessed lighting highlight the dining room with built-in glass and mirrored shelving, the ideal spot to display your collection of shells after a day on the USA’s #1 Beach, just a few blocks away.

The oversized living room is bathed in natural light and features a charming window seat and bay window that looks across to the water. Master bedroom suite has access outside to sunbathe on the privacy-fenced, screen-enclosed deck. Guest bedrooms share a bath. Bonus rooms include the owners’ former art and voice studios, and storage.

Located on an oversized, treed, 11,385-square-foot corner lot with a large yard and concrete drive, just three blocks to the Village. The sale came out to $213.64 a square foot.

Courtesy of Premier Sothebys.

HIGHEST PRICED CONDO: 4740 OCEAN BLVD, #301 $4,050,000 Sold pre-construction: Introducing Oceane… Siesta Key’s only luxury condominium available for occupancy this year. Described in lifestyle as a marriage of privacy meets walkability, and where walls of glass let nothing stand between you and your view, this is the story you’ve been longing to write. Boasting an immense 4,500sf of living space, an additional 700sf of outdoor terrace space, and an unheard of 70+ feet of width per residence facing directly onto the Gulf of Mexico, these are the views of imagination.

Unlike direct beach-front settings where sunset is followed by darkness, at Oceane sunsets are only the beginning. In true encore fashion, as the sun disappears, the real show begins as you witness the magical twinkling lights of the city skyline come to life each evening. Built to the highest of standards in both fixtures, finishes and construction, there is no substitute to the safety and security of concrete walls top-to-bottom and high impact glass at every opening.

Soaring ceilings, incredibly open and connected floor plans, outdoor summer kitchens, private pool-side cabanas and 3 car garages are only the beginning of this enchanted journey you are about to begin. The sale of this property came out to $900 a square foot.

Courtesy of Michael Saunders and Company.

a kitchen area to keep refreshments chilled. Florida living is all about the outdoors, and this home does not disappoint. You’ll enjoy your very own tropical oasis, encompassing a heated Pebble Tec pool & spa (spool), covered space for lounging and dining, a fire pit for cooler winter evenings, and a fenced yard for pets to play. The 3 car garage is a convenient finishing touch.

Plan your weekend fun on the crystal sands of Siesta Beach, just a short walk, only 1 ½ blocks away, and enjoy the atmosphere of Siesta Village. The sale of this property came out to $409.97 a square foot.

Courtesy of Michael Saunders and Company.

LOWEST PRICED CONDO: 9397 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD, #P3 $340,000 Enjoy stunning views and sunsets from this lovely penthouse one bedroom one bath condo at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. Surrounded by water on three sides, wake to magnificent sunrises over Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

The bedroom, with 2 large closets, offers direct Bay views and the large bathroom includes dual sinks and a shower/ tub combination. A sliding-glass-door lanai with fabulous bay views features a futon which comfortably accommodates overnight guests. An in-unit utility closet provides additional storage and has hook-ups for a full sized washer/dryer.

The separate first floor storage space is ideal for golf clubs, beach gear, etc. A coveted under building parking space is conveniently located very near the building entrance. Located at the southernmost tip of Siesta Key, this gated community is beautifully landscaped and features every amenity: a heated pool and spa, lighted tennis and pickle ball courts, private boat docks, kayak and canoe racks and launch, newly renovated club house with full kitchen, sauna, fitness center, island pavilion with grills, and on-site management and maintenance staff. This five plus acre property is conveniently located just a few minutes’ walk from Turtle Beach and three restaurants. The sale of this property came out to $437.02 a square foot. Courtesy of Key Solutions Real Estate Group.

www.siestasand.net

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FEBRUARY 2020

27th State Media LLC

39

Paradise Awaits...

322 Island Circle

5563 Cape Aqua Drive, Sarasota, FL Great location only a 3 minute walk to world famous #1 Siesta Beach. 2 BR / 2 BA home in desirable Siesta Isles.

Home is partially renovated. 14,050 sf lot. Existing home has split bedroom floorplan, den/office (add a Murphy bed), designer stone flooring, 2 car garage and open floor plan. Large yard with room for a pool. This is a much sought after location just steps to the beach and close to Siesta Village. Property is being sold as is. Bring your ideas.

559,000

5157 Sandy Shore Ave., Sarasota Florida

999,900

$

825,000

$

$

Spacious Siesta Key home on excellent boating water. Located on quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” Street. Split plan 4 BR, 3 BA, 2,493 sq. ft. home with recent updates.

PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders, hurricane garage door for extra security.Short walk to famous Siesta Key Village with world class bistros and nightlife.

Siesta Key, FL

Beaches, Boating & Bistros!! Live the island lifestyle in this spacious 4 BR, 4 BA house located on desirable Palm Island, grossing approx. $60k in rental income. Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master BR and master BA. New boat lift on the Grand Canal. Lounge in the heated pool and spa or enjoy your favorite libation at your own private Waterfront Tiki Bar. Huge bonus area on lower level.

214 Island Circle, Sarasota Florida

Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on 2nd level makes nice office space.

Screened pool area. Short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life of Siesta Village.

974,000

$

165 Island Circle, Sarasota Florida

Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Palm Island Paradise on Siesta Key. Excellent 2nd home or investment property. A cute beach house a short stroll to famous Siesta Beach. This house is located on a tropical lagoon with a fenced yard with room for a pool and a dock to relax with your fishing pole while enjoying the gulf breezes. This house has been updated with updated kitchen and baths is just a short walk to all the shopping, bistros & nightlife Siesta Key Village has to offer. You will love Palm Island, “An Island on Siesta Key”, close to everything , yet secluded.

Being sold turnkey furnished

575,000

$

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

ddm1@comcast.net

Service.

Integrity.

Results.

40

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FEBRUARY 2020

941.312.0665

Island Chatter

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 31

Members of the Sarasota and Manatee county commissions, as well as leaders of the municipalities in the two counties, serve on the MPO board. Representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) also attend the MPO meetings, Sarasota County commissioners have pointed out.

The regular gatherings provide opportunities for the elected officials and the FDOT staff to discuss potential projects.

The MPO board members each year also set priorities that they hope will gain support from FDOT. After the Legislature each year approves funding for FDOT, that department revises its five-year work program to reflect changes in project priorities.

For example, the current work program includes FDOT’s $360,138 grant to Sarasota County so staff can implement safety improvements at the intersection of Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue. Those are expected to get underway in 2021, after the county assumes control of Siesta roads as part of the deal swapping River Road to the state.

The resurfacing of Midnight Pass

Road from the Stickney Point Road intersection to Shadow Lawn Drive — a distance of 1.635 miles — is also listed in the current work plan, with a total expense of $3,667,439. That is set for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Each FDOT fiscal year begins on July 1.

Additionally, the work plan lists the preliminary engineering phase of the resurfacing of Midnight Pass Road from Higel Avenue to Flamingo Avenue — a distance of 1.022 miles — in the 2020-21 fiscal year at a cost of $1,000 and then in the 2022-23 fiscal year at a cost of $10,000.

The work plan link on the MPO website notes that the document is tentative, as priorities can change throughout the year. The information on the Siesta projects, above, was in the Nov. 1, 2019 version of the work plan — the most recent on the MPO website at this writing.

in mid-January for an update on the lack of signage at the pocket park/ parking space next to the Oceane condominium complex on Ocean Boulevard.

That parking spot is on the west side of the Givens Street intersection.

To the average passerby, the space appears to be just a convenient pullin for someone who needs to make a visit to Oceane.

In a Jan. 16 email, county Media Relations Officer Drew Winchester reported that he had checked with the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR) about the lack of identification that the parking place is county property.

“Parks staff is still determining type and placement of signage at this time,” he wrote.

An update on the Ocean pocket park/parking space

During his Jan. 9 report to the Siesta Key Association, Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the Sheriff’s Office’s substation on the Key, drew laughter from the audience members in providing a summary of one December 2019 incident

For those who have been as curious about the situation as this reporter, the News Leader asked county staff

A failed attempt at revenge

the office investigated. It involved juveniles breaking into a home to exact revenge on another juvenile, he said. However, it turned out that the juvenile being targeted no longer lived at that residence.

The formal report from the Sheriff’s Office says that at 4:18 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2019, a deputy responded to a call about a burglary of an occupied dwelling. (At the victim’s request, the address was not made public.)

The suspects were Emma G. Loveall, 15, of Sarasota; Ariana M. Semprevivo, 17, of Sarasota; and Waylon E. Loveall, 16, of Sarasota.

(Waylon Loveall and Emma Loveall had the same address listed the report.) The investigating deputy wrote in the report that probable cause affidavits were to be filed with the State Attorney’s Office. The deputy indicated that the Sheriff’s Office would charge each defendant with a count of burglary of an occupied dwelling.

SNL found open records listed for Emma Loveall and Semprevivo on the Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court’s website, but documents were not available for public review.

Continued on page 43

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MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE Safety/Transportation Tuesday, February 18, 2020 • 3:00 PM Siesta Key Chapel at 4615 Gleason Ave.

MAIN SPEAKERS:

Sarasota Fire Department : Chief Regnier

Station #13 2019 Statistics and Replacement

Sarasota Key Sheriff ’s Office : Sgt. Arik Smith

Siesta Key 2019 Crime Statistics and Information

Sarasota Cty. Traffic Consultant : James Collins Siesta Key Traffic Study Status

Transportation Question & Answer Session SC Transportation Planning Department

Sarasota County Legacy Trail Update/Schedule

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

FEBRUARY 2020

North Shell Road During a Jan. 7 telephone interview, Luckner told SNL she had seen videos the Olsons had taken of incidents at North Shell Road that had prompted their calls for law enforcement assistance. “It’s horrible,” Luckner added of the general situation for homeowners on the road. “We have to make it a safe place.”

In addressing the SKA members on Jan. 9, she said, “I think I speak for all of you in that we don’t want anybody to be disenfranchised from a place of peace where they live.”

On Jan. 7, Kaitlyn R. Perez, community affairs director for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, told SNL that from July 1, 2019 to that day, the Sheriff’s Office had logged “a total of 92 calls for service on North Shell Road.” Since May 2017, she added, the total was 120.

“I do not have that broken down by year,” she explained in her email, “but can obviously tell you… the majority of calls have been since July 2019.”

Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office records show the Olsons bought the property in April 2017.

In January 2019, the Olsons filed a petition with the county’s Traffic Advisory Council (TAC) in an effort to eliminate the public parking spaces for Beach Access 1 that exist between their property and the shoreline. In their narrative in that petition, they alleged repeated illegal drug and alcohol incidents along North Shell Road and at Access 1, writing that they and their neighbors “fear for our safety.”

They ultimately did not have enough signatures on that petition to make it valid, county staff told the News Leader in September 2019. County Public Records staff reported in January that the Olsons had not filed a revised petition.

Arguing for support of their TAC petition, the Olsons pointed out that they and their neighbors “continually find illegal drug paraphernalia (crack pipes, bongs, etc.) all along the street.”

In addition, they wrote, “We have patrons of the beach access who regularly urinate and

27th State Media LLC

Cosentino’s Charter amendments

Continued from cover story

defecate alongside their parked cars in the aforementioned spaces. We have beer cans tossed over our privacy wall daily and several neighbors have documented vandalism at their homes which was the result of constant attempts to trespass (jump our privacy walls), again by high and intoxicated individuals.”

The couple has constructed a barrier along their property line to try to prevent people from trespassing.

Midafternoon on Jan. 7, Michelle Cellini, special projects administrator for Sheriff Tom Knight, sent an email to Michelle Olson, responding to comments Olson had made in an email to the Sheriff’s Office. Perez provided the News Leader a copy of that reply from Cellini to Olson: “As you know and we have previously discussed,” Cellini began, “the private and public area of a beach in Florida is difficult to determine and controlled by an ambiguous law. The Florida Constitution states that the title to beaches below the mean high-water line is held by the state in trust for all the people. Florida Statute 177.27(14) defines mean high water as ‘the average height of the high waters over a 19-year period. For shorter periods of observation, ‘mean high water’ means the average height of the high waters after corrections are applied to eliminate known variations and to reduce the result to the equivalent of a mean 19-year value…

This is the law provided to us as we train and instruct deputies how to rightfully respond to calls for service at the many beaches in Sarasota County.”

“As I’m sure you recall when the Sheriff and I visited your property last summer,” Cellini continued, “we discussed various issues you were having. … We recommended you work with the local government to determine your private property areas. We did not recommend that you place a barrier yourself, as it could possibly cause additional problems.”

Cellini also noted that during the year before the Olsons purchased their Shell Road property, the Sheriff’s Office received fewer than 10 calls for service from that area.

41

Continued from page 12

Along with Cosentino himself, a nonprofit he established in late June 2016 — Reopen Beach Road — has been a party to the litigation.

and both “have indicated they oppose this motion.”

More details of the new motion

Cosentino has contended that the Office of the County Attorney conspired with the applicants to figuratively pave the way for the North Beach Road vacation before the County Commission conducted the May 2016 public hearing on it. He alleges that that is the primary reason the County Commission failed to follow through on the October 2013 recommendations of a Jacksonville consulting firm regarding measures that could have been taken to stabilize the road. The county had hired the firm to undertake an analysis.

During the May 11, 2016 public hearing on the road vacation petition, Sarasota attorney Charles D. Bailey III pointed out that the stretch of road had been closed to vehicular traffic since 1993 because it had been damaged repeatedly by storms. The 2013 study also was completed at a time the County Commission was dealing with the ramifications of the Great Recession.

After Judge Carroll’s ruling in October 2019, Cosentino told The Sarasota News Leader: “We, and the truth, will prevail, but probably not until the Florida Supreme Court says so. Our goal is and has been to make sure the case record is complete so that we will prevail when we eventually get the chance to present our case to a knowledgeable, impartial panel of judges.”

In the Dec. 6, 2019 motion seeking final judgment on the Charter amendments issue, Assistant County Attorney David Pearce pointed out that through Judge Carroll’s Oct. 28, 2019 order, the county and the two sets of property owners — Wendy and Dennis Madden and the Caflisch family — “believe the Court has provided the remedies each sought...”

Pearce referenced the various complaints and motions the Maddens and Caflisches had filed since the late summer of 2018. All the issues raised in the litigation, he added, are moot.

Pearce further noted, “A partial final judgment is warranted in this case because it would dispose of Sarasota County as a party to this dispute.”

Moreover, in formally asking for the final judgment in regard to the Charter amendments, Pearce indicated that the Maddens and the Caflisches, as prevailing parties, would be entitled to have Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road pay their court costs.

“Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road, Inc. are the real parties of interest in defending the charter amendments,” Pearce wrote.

Before filing the motion, Pearce wrote, he contacted Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road,

The opposing view

Big Sarasota Pass The Lido project was packaged in the new solicitation with beach renourishment initiatives planned on Anna Maria Island.

The primary goal, Ruderman said, “is reduce the overall cost of the projects by having a contractor take advantage of having to mobilize a team and equipment only once for both projects.”

In December 2019, Brown of the USACE explained the decision for a different approach with the new solicitation package. “The goal

Continued from page 3

is to give bidders flexibility with scheduling their assets and obtain more competitive bids for both projects since they are reasonably close together,” Brown noted in a Dec. 17, 2019 email.

The new solicitation said, “Magnitude of construction is between $10,000,000 and $25,000,000.” The package documents also noted, “The Contractor shall begin performance within 75 calendar days and complete it by 1 May 2021 after receiving notice to proceed. This performance period is mandatory.”

Locating Your Gulf Coast Lifestyle!

On the Grand Canal! 5436 Avenida Del Mare offered at $994,000 MLS #A4443689

Amazing Grand Canal location on Siesta Key. 5 minute walk to the world famous sugary sands of Siesta Key Main beach.

Walk, bike, or take the free trolley to Siesta Key Village for happy hour or dinner. Hop in the boat and catch some fish in the Grand Canal or head out to the Inter coastal. Splash in the pool and rinse off in the outdoor shower at the end of your beach or boating day. Built in 1999, no HOA fees or deed restrictions. Unique layout with extra high ceilings and open floor plan.

Transom windows contribute to let the Siesta sky and sunshine indoors. Extra large kitchen with tall windows facing the canal has plenty of storage and counter space. Open loft family room has it’s own balcony. Third bedroom has a built in Murphy bed for extra guests. Master and second bedroom overlook mature foliage and the water. This could be your AWESOME year round, vacation home, or investment property. Location, location, location!

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42

Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

941.312.0665

Harbour Towne Yacht Club: A boater’s oasis and beach-goers paradise Harbour Towne is an enclave of 50 town-home style units in a lushly landscaped setting, located mid-Key, and a short walk to Siesta Beach. It offers canal and bay views from throughout the property. Of the 50 units, 25 are three-bedroom condos and the other 25 are two-bedroom units. The units range in size from 1,217 to 2,326 square feet. All of the two-bedroom units in the community are single-level units, while the threebedroom units are two-level (on the second and third floors).

The deep-water boat slips and ideal location with no bridges to the Bay make the community a top choice for boaters, Ruiz says. “The water is no less than four-and-a-half feet at low tide,” Ruiz said. “It’s straight across from Phillippi Creek, and the No Wake zone is less than a mile long, then you are out in the Bay.” Each unit comes with its own private, deeded boat dock. Harbour Towne Yacht Club is only a seven-minute walk from Siesta Public Beach, adds Ruiz, who also resides at Harbour Towne.

But the community is also a draw for those seeking more of a townhouse style, rather than a typical condo. For instance, rarely found on the Key, Ruiz noted, each unit also includes its own full car garage—with walk-around attic storage— attached to the unit. In addition, owners are able to store a barbeque grill in the garage and grill just outside their unit.

The community is comprised of five three-story buildings across 5.3 acres. The smaller scale of the buildings, along with the lush landscaping, and friendly neighbors, gives Harbour Towne a home-like feel for Kathy Roche, vice president of the board of directors and a long-time resident.

A quiet, well-kept community “If you are coming in and new to the area, it is a great place to make warm friendships,” says Roche, who purchased a unit at Harbour Towne with her husband in 2000. The Roches are half-year residents on Siesta, spending the other half of the year in Ohio.

While it is not the most glamorous feature, the fact that each unit includes an attached garage (with the storage space) was a major plus for the Roches.

“Very few [other] condo units have garages,” Roche says.

The couple keeps their car and a bicycle in the garage, but some neighbors store multiple bikes and kayaks in their garages.

And the storage space above the garage is unparalled in a Siesta condo.

The other unique attribute of the community is the private, deeded boat docks. Roche says many unit owners keep boats, but some do not.

“It’s a quiet, well-kept community,” Roche says of Harbour Towne. The community is fully funded with reserves, and sets aside a portion of HOA fees for regular, long-term maintenance such as roofing and paint.

Community amenities include a heated pool and spa, tennis court, clubhouse with full kitchen, and covered pavilion with grills. The club house was renovated five years ago, Ruiz says.

The pool deck and resurfacing was done three years ago, and pickle ball courts were added two years ago.

But perhaps one of the nicest attributes is the neighbors that make up the community, Roche says. Often an informal social gathering will take place at the club house after a few residents start talking at the pool.

“Residents gather most evenings at the pool/clubhouse,” adds Ruiz. “Because of the docks, boats, and grilling outside the unit, residents frequently run into each other making for a very congenial community.”

Renters are welcome, Roche adds, but the community’s one-month rental minimum encourages seasonal and full-time residents. As a result, it is an owner-driven community. More than 80 percent of owners are owner/residents, estimates Ruiz.

One trend Roche has noticed is her neighbors will purchase their condo before they retire, and as they retire, will spend more time at Harbour Towne. “Before retirement, it is used as a getaway, and as they retire, they stay fulltime or more of the year,” she says.

Recent and pending sales over the past year have ranged from $338 a square foot to $419 a square foot.

• Topping the higher end of the sold prices, a 2,326-square foot unit with three bedrooms and three baths sold for $818,000, or $352 a square foot. The retreat offers full Bay views and a completely renovated interior. The unit has master suites on both levels, and, according to the MLS listing, the home reflects the soft, sandy tones of the island, especially in the impeccable kitchen adorned with exquisite granite and solid wood cabinetry.

• Current listings include four listed by Ruiz and a fifth listed by a Key Solutions colleague. Three two-bedroom two bath units range in price from $539,000 to $599,000. All have been renovated to varying degrees and feature spacious lanais overlooking the marina. Multi-functional, the lanai may be used as a den/office, alternate dining space, or to accommodate overnight guests.

• Ruiz also has a three-bedroom, three-bath unit listed for sale for $649,900. The unit affords big marina water views - and deeded slip with 20k pound lift for a 45’ boat directly outside the unit.

• Featured unit 1273 Dockside, listed for 599,000 is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath END UNIT with abundant natural light. The unit has been beautifully renovated to include an open kitchen with stone-topped wood cabinets, a fabulous tiled counter to ceiling backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Other renovations include wood-look tile flooring, and luxurious bathrooms with new vanities topped with marble and gorgeous tile work and mirrors. A large glassed-in area can be used as a den, added dining space, and/or to accommodate overflow guests. Look through the back wall of glass to see your boat in its deeded 40 foot slip which will accommodate a 45 foot boat with 16k lb lift directly outside the unit. A lovely garden alcove makes for a welcome entry to the unit and, just steps away to the attached one-car garage. A walk-about attic over the garage provides coveted storage space.

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Island Chatter Representatives of the State Attorney’s Office in the 12th Judicial District have explained that if the Sheriff’s Office conducts what is called a “direct file” of charges with the State Attorney’s Office, and the latter pursues a case, the record of that case will not be made available until the case has been closed.

Waylon Loveall and his mother, Michelle Loveall, were listed as “Cooperative” in the Sheriff’s Office report.

In the narrative, the responding deputy wrote that when he met with the victim of the incident, she “stated that unknown suspects forced entry into her home. The victim was in her bedroom at the time of entry.

The victim was concerned for her safety,” the deputy added, so she hid in her bedroom.

“The victim heard the suspects opening draws/closets in the adjacent bedroom,” the deputy continued. Then the victim coughed, the report said, which made her believe she had alerted the suspects to her presence in the home.

The victim told the deputy she could hear “two males yelling” that someone was in the home and “Let’s

FEBRUARY 2020

27th State Media LLC

43

Continued from page 40

go.”

Then the victim said she heard “multiple people flee the residence.”

The report added, “The victim looked outside the front window and saw four people running from the home.”

“During my investigation,” the deputy wrote, “it was clear the suspects entered the unoccupied bedroom. The sheets on the bed were pulled up and closet doors opened.”

The victim was able to provide the Sheriff’s Office with video surveillance from the driveway of the home, the report noted. That video showed four suspects walking to the front door; three of them were “wearing hoods over their heads,” the deputy added in the report.

Then, after several minutes, the report continued, the video showed four people running from the home.

After the responding deputy provided other Sheriff’s Office personnel with the descriptions of the suspects, the report said, another deputy located suspects matching the descriptions. Those suspects were at 5023 Ocean Blvd., the report added. That is the Old Salty Dog

restaurant on the northern end of Siesta Village.

The deputy contacted a parent of each suspect before speaking with them, the report pointed out. “All parents provided permission to interview the suspects,” it said.

Based on information provided during those interviews, the report continued, the responding deputy determined that Emma Loveall “had a disagreement with a resident who formerly lived at the incident address.” The suspects went to the residence, the report added, “to start a fight with the aforementioned resident. The resident was not home,” the report said, so three of the suspects “pushed the unlocked front door open and entered the residence.”

While inside, the report continued, the suspects’ objective “was to steal ‘small’ items described as liquor, drugs or shoes.”

Another suspect said he went to the refrigerator and removed an item, the report added. He then put the item back, the report noted, “and walked to the bedroom where the co-defendants were rummaging through bed/closet.”

LIC#CGC060852

At that point, the report continued, “A fourth person who did not enter the home yelled to the suspects that someone was inside the residence.

All suspects fled the home,” the report added.

SKA February meeting to feature Ron Turner, Supervisor of Elections for Sarasota County The February SKA meeting to be held on February 6th , at 4:30 P.M., at St. Boniface Church Parish Hall on 5615 Midnight Pass Road will feature special guest speaker, Ron Turner, Supervisor of Elections for Sarasota County.

Ron Turner was elected Supervisor of Elections in Sarasota County in 2016. Supervisor Turner began his career with Sarasota County elections office as chief of staff, serving from 2011 until his election.

He serves as treasurer of the Florida Supervisors of Elections statewide association (FSE).

In addition to his work as an election’s administrator, Turner has extensive governmental and

nonprofit leadership experience.

Turner began his public service career, at age 23, as a city council member and deputy mayor for the City of Arcadia and later served as supervisor of elections for Desoto County, Florida.

A native Floridian, Turner earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri’s Harry S. Truman School of public Affairs. He is an alumnus of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he completed its Program for Senior executives in State and Local Government and is a nationally Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) through the Elections Center.

Turner has been very involved in the community since moving to Sarasota County in 2001. He serves on the board of directors of First Step of Sarasota, is a graduate of Leadership Sarasota County, and is a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Turner is a proud veteran of the United States Army.

44

Siesta Sand

FEBRUARY 2020

941.312.0665

Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

LIGHTING

• Custom Lampshades • Recovering • Lighting Components

CLEANING SERVICES

• 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.

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• Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms.

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AUTOMOTIVE DELIVERY

Fax 941-312-5683

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A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

• Landings Carriagehouse, $2,500 per month. Call Jim 941-539-0774.

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MEDICAL

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CONTRACTORS screen repair

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• power washing • pool cage restoration J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

• DRIVER for YOUR vehicle, cargo and pets. Sarasota/Siesta Key/Port Charlotte area to MICHIGAN ONLY. Offering services that carriers/haulers are unable to provide. Background check.

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BOAT SALES

Spindrift

410 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

Yacht Sales

Brian Mouldey

“Licensed & Bonded Yacht Broker” Check out Brian on Facebook @ spindriftbrian

Direct: 941-374-1697 Office: 941-383-7781 Email: spindriftbrian@gmail.com

BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS

Captain Jacks Yacht Charters

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

CAGE RESTORATION MASTERS Paint Your Pool Cage Today!

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MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

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• 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 homeimprovement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-650-9499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com Lic#CGC060852.

• Nutter Construction is your local Siesta Key builder. We have a strong team with over 30 years of combined high end residential construction experience in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. We offer custom construction, remodeling services, management and consulting, concierge service, and we are committed to protecting our resources by using construction techniques that are environmentally friendly. Call us at 941-924-1868, visit our showroom at 3534 South Osprey Avenue, or check us out online at www.nutterconstruction.com. LEED AP | FL Licensed Building Contractor CBC060004 | FL Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate BK322256 | Certified Home Inspector HI4630

Capt. Jack Wallace 941.320.8700 www.sarasotachartervessel.com Pleasure Cruises only Sunsets/Weddings/Special Occasions Hourly, Daily, Weekly

• 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.

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MOVING & STORAGE

AAA FLAT RATE MOVING AND STORAGE CO. SARASOTA’S MOVER OF CHOICE SINCE 1980 AROUND THE CORNER OR AROUND THE WORLD CALL OR EMAIL FOR A FREE MOVING ESTIMATE 941-922-4466 / AAAFLATRATE@AOL.COM

www.aaamovingsarasota.com REAL ESTATE AGENTS

HELENE M. HYLAND

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

REALTOR®

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

DRY CLEANERS

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Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

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Free Pick Up & Delivery Service

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Tony Fudoli Sr. CAPTAIN tntfreedomfishing@yahoo.com

Veteran Owned Business

Dolphin Watch • SunSetS • half Day aDventure SailS

Sailing From Marina Jack, Sarasota

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• 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

RESTAURANTS

One Small Cinco Queso With Any Entreé Purchase One Small Cinco Queso reServationS accepted Per Table

CHURCH SERVICES

DINE-IN ONLY!

• WEDNESDAY CHURCH - Traditional worship every Wednesday at 6 PM. Committed to reaching 55+ Widows, Widowers, Veterans, Singles, and Adults.

7811 Kennedy Ln., Sarasota, FL 34240. Pastor Trebor Britt, 941320-4309. SJG5232@verizon.net

Bite Squad delivery Service

Expires 2/29/20

Insured, Bonded and Licensed by The National Home Watch Association.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

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www.SuncoastHomeConcierge.com

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm Fri. & Sat. 11am-10 pm Closed Sunday

3218 Clark Road

Southwest Mexican Food Sarasota FL 34231 and Bar

eltorobravosarasota.com

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RESTAURANTS CONTINUED

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FEBRUARY 2020

TRANSPORTATION

Starting At Only

30 941.735.4732 $

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Restaurants and Accommodations Operating 10AM to 2AM Daily

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SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY Hair by

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Sarasota to Tampa Airport $ 89 each way

Airport Shuttle Limo/Taxi

HOMES FOR SALE

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NEW CLIENTS $10.00 OFF

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New to Landings Shopping Center

4850 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 (The Landings Shopping Center)

Walk-Ins Welcome

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Olde Fashion Barber Shop

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

ther”

HOMES FOR SALE CONTINUED

• Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I 1,034 sq. ft. home built in 1964. Includes 2 BR, 1/1 BA on a .12 acre lot. Features an attached garage with one space. Dan or taxi. Call 941-735-4732

Airport Rides

“Hot La

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• Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free 376-7442 service on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. • PALM ISLAND BEACH HOUSE: $575,000. 165 Island Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200.

Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS#A4448257. Don’t miss this heated

N!

Sarasota’s Premier “Chauffeur”

(941) 706-0860

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Southgate Barber Shop

(Across from the Westfield Siesta Key Mall)

2081 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239

Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday through Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-2

www.OldStyleBarberShop.com

SPORTS RENTALS / ACCESSORIES • Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key Village. 941-554-4242 • Siesta Key Bike & Kayak – Located on Siesta Key in Capt Curts Village serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach and Sarasota. We offer bikes, kayak rentals, kayak eco tours, paddleboards and scooters.

1224 Old Sickney Pt Rd. 941-346-0891 • Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797

• AMAZING LOCATION! 3Bd/2BA Florida style ranch home has it all! Don’t hesitate to see this tropical beauty!

Meticulously maintained, Siesta Key Village and Beaches just minutes away. 1728 Billings St. $424K. For your personal viewing please call 941-587-4256. See additional pictures on Zillow!

• LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! GRAND CANAL HOME ON PALM ISLAND. 476 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. This ultimate family beach house is 2 blocks from Siesta Key Beach and 5 blocks from the Village. 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, heated pool, dock with electricity, even a working elevator. This beach oasis is well maintained and waiting for you! $1,250,000 MLS# 4443903 CONTACT DIANE GOODWIN, 941-706-6620, #LoveWhereYouLiveSRQ, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.

• PALM ISLAND HOME ON THE GRAND CANAL: $825,000. 322 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4199085.

Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master BR and master BA. This house boasts a new boat lift on the Grand Canal. Privacy abounds with a lovely tropical view across the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • CANAL FRONT HOME: $999,900. 5157 Sandy Shore Ave, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4427877. Canal front home on a quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” street. Split plan 4 bedroom & 3 bath 2,493 square foot home with recently updated kitchen & bath. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders for added storm security. You will love lounging around the large pool on this oversized lot (14,352 SF) and dock with lift on the wide canal with easy access to world class boating & fishing. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • GRAND CANAL HOME: $974,000. 214 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4435268. Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on 2nd level makes nice office space. Screened pool area. Short walk to world famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life of Siesta Village. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-

Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Across the street from Siesta Beach with a private deeded boat dock and water views! Renovated two bedroom, two bath. One car garage with attic storage. Gated community on a deep-water marina.

Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickle ball, clubhouse. MLS# A4433033, $539,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - Priced to Sell. Largest floor plan at 1380 square feet in a 2/2 with spacious lanai overlooking the ICW and Bay to the east and the Gulf and Siesta sunsets to the west.

Amazing views from every room. Gated with every amenity.

MLS# A4438186, $495,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - Exquisitely renovated 2/2 with incredible 270 degree water views! Beautifully decorated and move-in ready. Gated community with every amenity - pool, spa, tennis, pickle ball, fitness, clubhouse, boat docks, kayak racks and launch, picnic area, grills and on-site management. MLS #A4448625 $535,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Bright and spacious 3/3 townhome directly across the street from Siesta Beach and yards to the ICW by boat. Deeded slip with 20k pound lift directly outside the unit. Attached garage.

Gated community with tennis, pool, clubhouse, etc. MLS# A4447427, $649,900. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Your Island Paradise Awaits! Across the street from Siesta public beach, this 2 /2 showplace has been beautifully renovated. Tile throughout. Water views. Deeded dock behind the unit and attached 1 car garage. Gated with pool and tennis. MLS# A4451556, $599,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - This spectacular 9th floor unit has been totally and beautifully renovated with coastal colors to complement the water views from every room. The light 2/2 features tile throughout., an all-new kitchen with stunning white granite countertops and so much more. This is a must see. MLS# A4450026 $599,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-4004186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Water views with private deeded boat dock on deep water marina and 10 minute walk to Siesta Beach. This renovated 2/2 unit is tiled throughout. Slip will accommodate a 43’ boat on a 13k lb. lift. 1 car attached garage with attic storage. Gated property.

MLS# A4449225, $545,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• SUMMER COVE ON SIESTA KEY - Enjoy the best of Siesta in this beautiful, light and bright 3/2.5 luxury end unit.

Private elevator. Tile flooring throughout; gourmet kitchen with wood cabinets, granite, stainless steel, and double oven, 9 foot ceilings, and 2 huge open lanais. Beautifully turnkey furnished. MLS# A4451557, $925,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• TRULY FABULOUS 2/2 WITH DIRECT GULF VIEWS. This Gulfside, 1st-floor unit is perfectly positioned overlooking the pool & amazing direct gulf front views of world-famous Siesta Key Beach!! Walk right out the patio to the pool/beach - no stairs or elevators!! A very open, spacious, clean & cared for condo with full-sized washer/ dryer, expansive lanai, walk-in closets, and extra storage.

6342 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #415, SARASOTA, FL 34242 , MLS# A4444324, $1,050,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255 • ENJOY STUNNING SUNRISES AND SUNSETS from this lovely two bedroom, two bath PENTHOUSE condo at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. If you seek incomparable views look no further - wake to awe-inspiring sunrises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. 9393 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #P2, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4406101, $469,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255 • NEWLY CONSTRUCTED Coastal Contemporary on the Grand Canal. Centrally located to Siesta Village and beaches.

Natural light abounds this 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathrooms open floor plan with direct walkout access to the open designed saltwater pool and deck. Enjoy sunsets from your pool deck and Balconies. This home is minutes by boat, paddleboard or kayak to the Intercoastal Waterway. 4866 COMMONWEALTH DR, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4437382, $1,659,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255 • YEAR-ROUND SUNSETS! This 10th-floor unit is perfectly positioned to enjoy gorgeous beachfront views! A very spacious, light, bright, clean and cared-for condo with a split floor plan and walk-in closets. The hurricane impact sliding doors (replaced 2018) lead from the living room and bedrooms to the huge screened lanai. Furniture is negotiable.

6300 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #1009, SARASOTA, FL 34242 MLS# A4425862, $949,900, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255 Continued on page 46

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School of Architecture

HOMES FOR SALE CONTINUED

Continued from cover story

The Whispering Sands Inn— A Tropical Paradise

• LEAST EXPENSIVE HOME ON SIESTA KEY! $400,000 4BD/3BA. Less than 1 mile from Siesta Beach and adjacent to Glebe Park, this midcentury modern home located on a designated Canopy Road is still occupied by its original owner. This home boasts “Old Florida Charm,” featuring vaulted ceilings, terrazzo floors throughout, and a combination of jalousie and clerestory windows.

With 2100 Sq. Ft. of living space and situated on a 9000 Sq. Ft. lot, the floor plan allows for either a variety of renovation concepts or the ability to build your dream home! KW On The Water, MLS # A4437571, presented

by The Westerberg Group, Call Seth: 941-342-SOLD (7653) or Al: 856-2787522.

• 2610 WOODGATE LN, SARASOTA, FL 34231 - Only 3 miles from Siesta Beach, this turnkey villa comes fully furnished!

The home was remodeled in 2017 and features 16-inch ceramic tile throughout, all white kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, and plenty of closet space! The master bedroom is spacious and could easily fit a king sized bed. You will love the 8 x 6.5 Ft. L-shaped master walk-in closet. The sun room is very light and bright, perfect for relaxing and laying back to read a good book.

Occupied for only a few months each year, the home’s updates and furnishings are like new! The homeowners’ association has many amenities, including a heated pool, shuffleboard courts, and a clubhouse with a gym. Enjoy an amazingly low monthly fee of just $320, which includes internet, water, sewer, and trash. Make this spectacular home yours today! KW on The Water, MLS # A4433486, $160,000, presented by The Westerberg Group. Call Seth: • 1835 GOLDENROD ST, 941-342-SOLD (7653) or Al: 856-278SARASOTA, 34239 - This charming 7522. home has been lovingly remodeled in 2015, with no expense spared.

Located in the desirable west-ofthe-trail neighborhood of Poinsettia Park 2, you’ll be only 1 mile to Siesta Key and 2 miles to downtown. Fall in love with the gorgeous tropical landscaping and large pool with its New Pebble-Tec Surface, relaxing • WATERFRONT PROPERTY waterfall, sun-shelf, and Polar with OVERSIZED LOT! Located Plunge. This “Selby-like retreat” just off the Grand Canal, this features 2 bedrooms, plus an office home features 90 feet of concrete (possible third bedroom), 2 full seawall including a dock with baths, and several amenities. Enjoy electric, lighting, and water. The the dining trellis, fire pit, putt- original block ranch home sits on an putt golf, and outdoor shower, all oversized 18,000 Sq. Ft. lot, situated surrounded by AstroTurf & pavers on a private cul-de-sac, located on a for easy maintenance. Inside boasts designated Canopy Road. Boasting an abundance of natural light with 2200 Sq. Ft. of living space, this split “floor-to-ceiling” windows and floor plan includes 3 bedrooms, 2 French doors, beautiful bamboo baths, and a 2-car garage. Travertine wood floors, and designer features pool deck and cage were updated in in the kitchen and baths. Many 2017. Just around the corner from more surprises await, a must see Siesta Village and a mile to Siesta home in the heart of Sarasota! Make Beach provides for the ultimate this tropical oasis your piece of Siesta Key Experience! KW On The paradise! KW on THE Water, MLS Water, MLS #A4440889, $1,250,000, # A4444487, $724,900, presented by presented by The Westerberg Group, The Westerberg Group, Call Seth: Call Seth:941-342-SOLD (7653) or Al: 856-278-7522.

941-342-SOLD (7653). www.TheMariner.com

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Mary Rock Hook immediately dedicated herself to creating what she considered “a little tropical paradise.” Opened in 1937, Whispering Sands Inn was described in an advertising pamphlet as “One of the most interesting and unique Inns in Florida... Upon arrival, one enters a yellow door and steps straight into a spacious patio shaded by tall palms and papaya trees, and decked with purpose and flaming bougainvillea like frescoes in the sun. At the far end of the patio under the open sky, almost touching the Inn is the blue water of the bayou, its shore and unspoiled wilderness of palm and pine.

Beyond is a white expanse of feathery sand, studded with beautiful shells, that hardly has its equal in the world, and then the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico...Turning from the view to look at the buildings, which form the court, one realizes the art that has used such simple forms to achieve harmony and variety. All are built of the same silvery grey cypress wood.” The combination of Mary’s innovative structural and landscape architecture attracted national attention and became a model for later Siesta Key developments.

Sandy Hook— an Incubator for Innovative Architects

Surprisingly, but reflecting Mary Hook’s ambition to achieve more after 1945, she sold the acreage on Siesta Key that included the property occupied by Whispering Sands Inn. Then, Mary focused on the development of Sandy Hook immediately to the south— a project that became her lasting legacy.

In fact, she planned “a haven for painters, writers, and other creative people” and envisioned a school for architects. Although the school did not develop at Sandy Hook, Mary’s dream of creating a place where the original design efforts of young architects could be expressed was accomplished. Thus, it can be argued the homes designed there by an emerging group of modern architects spawned what became the famous Sarasota School of Architecture. The first two homes were designed by Hook and the third by Paul Rudolph, whose career later brought him international acclaim. As with many of the earlier accommodations on the Key, the post WWII homes at Sandy Hook were designed to blend with and embellish their surroundings while applying a distinctly modern feel. Many projects took advantage of building technologies and materials developed as part of the war effort.

The Sarasota School of Architecture In 1946, Paul Rudolph at 28 years-old joined with Ralph Twitchell as they collaborated in designing and building an unprecedented type of home.

Rudolph’s earliest designs on Siesta Key exemplified a distinct style that was eventually called the Sarasota School of Architecture. Not a formal school but rather a movement with characteristic features of design, it was given its name and defined as a movement by Gene Leedy during a presentation at the American Institute of Architects Conference in 1982. Another term is Sarasota Modernism. The style features an open quality, often created with large planes of glass to facilitate natural illumination and ventilation, simple geometric forms, and cantilevered overhangs. It is a cost efficient style that strives for clarity of construction with an easily understandable structure that is celebrated as a feature of the architectural design rather than being covered up as in conventional construction. The signature elements of Sarasota Modernism work together to create beautifully simple geometric forms that float above the flat, tropical Florida landscape and feature simple overall volumes penetrating vertically and horizontally, cantilevered overhangs, along with honesty in details and structural connections. Carl Abbott’s magnificent creation on Crescent Beach known as Casa del Cielo provided an excellent example but unfortunately was lost recently to the Key’s tear-down trend.

As Mr. Abbott has emphasized, it is important to

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The view that captivated Mary Rockwell Hook in 1935.

(Photograph from Whispering Sands by Tamara Bonacorsi.)

Casa del Cielo, the Gregg Beachfront Residence— an award-winning masterpiece designed by Carl Abbott in 1980 in the style of the Sarasota School of Architecture and featuring in the words of Paul Rudolph “three horizontal planes... that interpenetrate one with the other...in a remarkable architectural way.” (Photograph courtesy of Carl Abbott).

The Siesta Key (Siebert) Pavilion as seen from the beach during the 1960s (Photograph is from An Illustrated History of Siesta Key: The Story of America’s Best Beach.) recognize that the Sarasota School of Architecture is more than a regional style unique to Sarasota County, as some might believe. Rather, it is an internationally important style that arose from the melding of two major movements— Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture and the International Style advanced by architect/educator Walter Gropius who taught Paul Rudolph at Harvard. Both Rudolph and Twitchell admired Wright’s work and what sprang from their relationship was a melding of the two philosophies and a design aesthetic that Rudolph took with him when he left Florida for New Haven, CT to become the Yale Chair of Architecture.

The Siesta Key Pavilion— A Monument to the Sarasota School of Architecture In addition to Rudolph and Twitchell, often considered the School’s co-founders, other architects who have been recognized for the important contributions they made to Sarasota Modernism are represented at Sandy Hook, including Victor Lundy and Edward (Tim) Seibert. The same concepts were applied by Siebert to design and construct the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion in 1960. It reflects the School’s style by having simple geometric plans, strong horizontality, broad roof overhangs, and dynamic interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces. The building should be admired by beachgoers as a monument to the Sarasota School of Architecture.

You can read more about this topic and others in An Illustrated History of Siesta Key: The Story of America’s Best Beach, which is sold at both Davidson Drugs stores, Captain Curt’s gift shop, and Crescent Beach Grocery.

Published by 27th State Media LLC Contributing Writers and Photographers will be noted with bylines.

Guest commentary not necessarily the opinion of 27th State Media LLC Reproduction without written permission prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

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Emergency (General)..................................................................... 911 Emergency Animal Clinic.............................................941-929-1818 Fishing & Hunting Licenses.........................................941-362-9888 FPL – Florida Power & Light........................................941-917-0708 FPL – Outage Report................................................. 1-800-468-8243 Marriage License Bureau..............................................941-362-4066 Poison Info Center..................................................... 1-800-282-3171 Sarasota / Bradenton Intl. Airport..............................941-359-2770 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT)........................941-316-1234 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce..............................941-349-3800 Sheriff / non-emergency..............................................941- 861-1601 Waste Management.......................................................941-924-1254

Sunset Beach Resort Siesta Key Dream Inn

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Volleyball Fanatic

Katie

This month’s volleyball fanatic is Katie of St. Petersburg.

A graduate of Indiana University, she’s been competing in tournaments with her current partner for nearly 3 years.

Katie works in group sales at the Trade Winds Resort, organizing meetings and conferences.

Without hesitation she said her favorite books were any in the Harry Potter series.

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