Siesta Sand - January 2021

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Residents Voice Strong Opposition to Proposed Stickney Point Hotel and Garage

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com Over about three-and-a-half hours, divided between two events, Siesta Key residents let their feelings be known about a proposed seven-story hotel on Old Stickney Point Road and a five-story parking garage across the street on Stickney Point Road.

Not one participant in the informal Neighborhood Workshop conducted on December 2nd or anyone who spoke during the county-mandated event on December 15th offered compliments.

In fact, the first speaker on December 2nd, Lourdes Ramirez, a long-time community activist, summed up the feelings of the majority toward the project: “We just can’t handle it.”

The island does not have sufficient infrastructure, including the road network, she said, to accommodate the guests who would stay in the hotel’s 120 rooms.

On December 15th, Ramirez took issue with statements that attorney Charles D. Bailey III of the Williams Parker firm in Sarasota made about

the residential density permitted on the hotel site, which is zoned Commercial General (CG).

The Siesta Key Overlay District (SKOD) zoning regulations, Ramirez pointed out, allow 26 dwelling units per acre for transient accommodations — what county staff calls hotel and motel rooms. (One hotel room without a kitchen counts as two units.)

The proposal calls for “four times what is allowed on that [hotel] parcel,” she said.

“We’re not being cutesy or trying to hide anything from anybody,” Bailey responded, adding that he merely had been referencing county metrics for counting hotel rooms.

At the outset of both presentations, Bailey and Medred explained that the concept calls for a boutique hotel comparable to the Marriott hotel company’s signature brands.

The developer is Dr. Gary Kompothecras, the Siesta Key resident known for his 1-800-ASKGARY medical and legal referral service.

Art rendering of Stickney Point hotel developpment

Continued on page 37

Roundabout to be constructed Improvements to Higel Avenueat intersection of Midnight Pass Siesta Drive curve expected to Road and Beach Road be completed in spring of 2021

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com Even though the majority of respondents to a Sarasota County survey conducted in October opposed the idea, the County Commission has voted unanimously to direct staff to proceed with plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Beach Road and Midnight Pass Road.

Public Works Department Director Spencer Anderson recommended the action during a December 8th presentation to the board.

Commissioner Alan Maio made

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

the motion, and newly elected Commissioner Ron Cutsinger of Englewood seconded it.

Maio represents the southern portion of Siesta Key. Maio said he believes the roundabout “will function really well.”

It took less than 18 minutes for Anderson’s presentation and the board vote.

Maio reminded his colleagues that, only about six months after he was

Thanks to Sarasota County Commission action, a plan for more safety improvements in the nearly 90-degree curve at the intersection of Higel Avenue and Siesta Drive on Siesta Key is expected to become reality by the spring of 2021.

In unanimous approval of their December 8th Consent Agenda of routine business items, the commissioners agreed to a Public Works Department request to include the initiative on the county’s Capital Projects list for the current fiscal Continued on page 39 year, which began on October 1st.

No one commented on the request before the vote, as is typical with Consent Agenda issues. However, during a later discussion of a proposed roundabout on Siesta Key, Public Works Director Spencer Anderson told the commissioners, “We are excited to get that work done” at the Higel-Siesta Drive intersection.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has provided the county $359,138 for the undertaking. Thus, the board vote encompassed adoption of a Continued on page 42

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Former Wells Fargo Property Lists & One Year Anniversary of Siesta Key Marina Sale

By Jane Bartnett Former Wells Fargo Bank Building & Property Lists

The former Wells Fargo Bank Siesta Key branch building and adjoining property at 5810 Midnight Pass Road has been listed for sale for $4,375,000.

JLL Senior Vice President Paul Rutledge and JLL Associate Jen Ward have the listing for the sale of the 5810 Midnight Pass property. JLL, is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management.

There is, according to JLL “Executive Summary” sales brochure, a “restriction against use as a financial institution for two years.” The former bank property is “being offered for potential owner occupant or investor for alternative use.”

The structure is a described as a “well maintained building ready for occupancy,” according to JLL. Zoning for the property is “Sarasota County CG Commercial, General.” Built in 1971, the 5,800 square-foot building has three drivethrough lanes. There are 50 parking spaces in the paved parking area. The land area is listed as “2.04+ acres.” The JLL real estate brochure describes the property’s potential future use as a “large parcel with possibility of re-development” that can “easily be re-purposed for office or other professional use.”

Wells Fargo closed the branch permanently on November 18th. A spokesman for Wells Fargo told the Siesta Sand that the nearest Wells Fargo bank branch to Siesta Key can found

Photo: The former Wells Fargo building on Midnight Pass shown in October 2020 before the property was listed for sale.

Photo - Siesta Sand

at 4794 South Tamiami Trail.

Phone: 941-961-1280.

Safe Harbor Siesta Key

The former Wells Fargo branch listing follows another highprofile, multi-million dollar, Siesta Key real estate transaction that made news in early 2020, when it was announced in January, that the former Siesta Key Marina, at 1265 Old Stickney Point Road, sold for $2.4 million to Dallas based, Safe Harbor Marinas. Now known as Safe Harbor Marinas, it is Siesta Key’s

only-such full service facility.

According to news reports, the marina’s 243 dry storage racks, on-location boat service, boat rentals, full-service ship store, and the Spearfish Grille restaurant was sold by the Dentici and Eggebrecht families. Sarasota Magazine stated that “the sellers will continue to run the Spearfish Grille restaurant and the marina’s boat tour service, leasing those spaces from the new owners.”

According to Safe Harbor Marinas’ corporate website,

the company is the largest owner and operator of marinas in the world, “dedicated to providing exceptional service and memorable experiences to the global boating community.”

Based in Dallas, Texas, there are 100 Safe Harbor Marinas in 22 states around the nation. Along with Safe Harbor Siesta Key, Safe Harbor Marinas’ Florida locations include: Safe Harbor Pineland in Bokeelia; Safe Harbor Pier 77 in Bradenton; Safe Harbor Cape Harbour in

Cape Coral; Safe Harbor Calusa Island in Goodland; Safe Harbor South Fork in Fort Lauderdale; Safe Harbor Harbortown in Fort Pierce; Safe Harbor Regatta Point in Palmetto; Safe Harbor Burnt Store in Punta Gorda; Safe Harbor New Port Cove in Riviera Beach, and Safe Harbor Harborage, in St. Petersburg.

A company press release stated that Safe Harbor has an approximate 45,000-member network of boat owners across 22 states. The company’s website advises that membership provides access to “the world’s largest boating network.”

Members have access to privileges at over 100 locations, and membership opportunities include “signature Member-only experiences.”

Safe Harbor Siesta Key facilities are available to the public and include access to year-round boat rentals and dry storage as well as marine services and mechanical and electrical services provided by certified technical staff. Onpremise fishing charters are also offered through local charter partners, SiestaKation, Kelly Kurtz, and Reel Tight Fishing Charters and a full-service ship’s store is open to the public. The ship’s store sells water, ice, cold drinks, snacks, beer and wine, as well as apparel, accessories and boat supplies. Boaters can pull into the Safe Harbor Siesta Key fuel dock from 8 am - 5 pm daily.

The popular Spearfish Grille restaurant is open daily from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, and offers open-air waterfront dining and fresh caught local seafood.

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Coalition fighting big hotel proposals putting focus on 1999 Siesta Key Community Plan

Members of the Siesta Key Coalition, who are fighting proposals for two high-rise hotels on the island, have put their focus on a document created in 1999 that laid the groundwork for the Siesta Key Overlay District (SKOD) zoning regulations, the Coalition spokesman has told Siesta Key Association (SKA) members.

The Siesta Key Community Plan resulted from numerous public workshops held in 1997 and 1998, Mark Spiegel explained to about 40 SKA members during a virtual meeting conducted on Dec. 9. “This is a very visionary document,” he pointed out. It also influenced the county’s Future Land Use policies for Siesta Key and the other barrier islands in the unincorporated areas of the county, Spiegel added.

“I would say, in reading it a couple of times,” he continued, “it’s more relevant today than it was in 1999.”

For one example, Spiegel noted, the Community Plan said the barrier islands are a “unique land

use category [and] development is of special concern … to underscore these special considerations. …

Density and intensity of future development may not exceed that allowed by existing zoning.”

Yet, Spiegel continued, two proposed hotels that would stand more than 80 feet tall — one with 120 rooms; the other, with 170 — are what he would call “the exact poster children” for defying the concepts laid out in the Community Plan.

A team representing Dr. Gary Kompothecras, the chiropractor known for his 1-800-ASK-GARY legal and medical referral service, has filed applications with the county for a hotel and parking garage project on the southern part of the Key. An attorney representing a New York City resident who owns property in Siesta Village and its immediate environs filed a preliminary application with the county in May, seeking to build the 170-room hotel on four parcels between Beach Road and Calle

Miramar.

Although both projects would be located on property zoned for commercial uses, Spiegel pointed out to the SKA members on December 9th, the zoning regulations for the sites do not allow construction taller than 35 feet above base flood elevation, and the zoning does not allow transient accommodations, which is how hotels and motels are referred to in county zoning matters. (Base flood elevation is a term used in regard to Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] rules for building in flood zones.)

A person can apply for a Special Exception from the County Commission to exceed the 35-foot height restriction.

“I’m a commercial developer of 30 years,” Spiegel explained, “so I’m a little out of my element to be opposing development.”

However, he noted, “In our industry, when you buy a piece of commercial land, you have certain rights.”

Spiegel also read a couple of

passages from the Siesta Key Community Plan that dealt with transportation on the island: • “Anyone who has driven on Siesta Key knows that it can be slow going, especially during the winter season. And it is not going to get much better — several road segments on Siesta Key function at Level of Service [grades] of E or F.” (As with grades a student earns in school, “E” and “F” are at the lowest end of the Florida Department of Transportation scale in terms of how a driver perceives traffic flow.)

• “Siesta Key has more pedestrian crosswalks per square mile than any other area of the county, in recognition of the heavy pedestrian traffic of the Village, the South Bridge area, and the beaches.”

If transportation issues on the Key were a concern in 1999, he said, it would seem they would be of equal concern today as Sarasota County planning staff assesses

proposals for new development on the island.

“There has never been a comprehensive traffic or pedestrian study” undertaken for the entire Key, Spiegel emphasized.

Yet another issue that has become more significant in recent years, Spiegel noted, is the rise in tourism, given the popularity of Siesta Key Public Beach after “Dr. Beach” — Stephen Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University — named it No. 1 in 2011 and again in 2017. However, according to state law, Spiegel pointed out, only the “wet beach,” from the Mean High Water Line to the Gulf of Mexico, is considered public property. Therefore, management personnel at more of the condominium complexes on the Key could begin roping off the private beach areas, leaving less of the shoreline available for visitors.

If one anticipates two people per room at each of the new high-rise hotel projects, plus visitors from the 130-room hotel planned at Siesta Promenade, Spiegel said, it Continued on page 37

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Grand Canal mini reef pilot program off to great start Another topic during the December 9th Siesta Key Association meeting was the status of the Grand Canal Regeneration Project, which was unveiled during the SKA’s November session.

Phil Chiocchio, a member of the Sarasota Bay Fisheries Forum, and SKA Director Jean Cannon reported that 23 people had signed up for the pilot program the SKA board approved in November.

The goal was 10 homeowners.

The residents/volunteers live in the Siesta Key Circle and Tropical Circle neighborhoods, Cannon noted as she referenced a slide she showed the members.

On December 18th, Cannon continued, the first mini reefs would be installed under docks at the persons’ homes.

As Chiocchio has explained to SKA members during past presentations, the mini reefs are devices produced by a nonprofit organization called Ocean Reefs Inc. The mini reefs attract sea creatures such as oysters and crabs, which clean the surrounding water, leading to a higher level of oxygen in the canal. As the water quality improves, he has pointed out, fish and manatees are attracted to the area.

Cannon also showed the members a video featuring

The mini reef pilot installs (shown in yellow) on a Google Earth Map, and the existing canal mini reef population (noted in blue).

an island resident named Lorraine Stanford, who lives on the 9-mile-long Grand Canal.

About two years ago, Stanford explained, she bought a mini reef, which a farther-and-son

team then installed under her dock. As the water quality has improved around her dock, she added, she and her family members have been seeing a lot more fish.

“All of our neighbors have docks,” Stanford noted. If all of them installed mini reefs, she said, the water quality would become even better.

Ocean Habitats’ website notes, “Each Mini Reef can support hundreds of fish, crabs and shrimp each year and will start to develop a complete ecosystem … as soon as it enters the water. … A Mini Reef will Crew members from mini-reef project pose by sign used to promote the initiative. filter on average

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30,0000 gallons of water per day once fully developed.”

Each device is about 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet, the website points out. “It floats so the filter feeders attached to the unit will always be where 90% of their food source is found,” which is within 24 inches of the surface of the water.

A mini reef costs $300, including installation, Cannon said on December 9th. The SKA is seeking donations to facilitate the pilot program, she added, noting that people can send emails for more information to SiestaKeyAssociation1947@ gmail.com.

Mini reefs make a great holiday gift, Cannon said.

Chiocchio also explained that baseline measurements will be taken at each location where a mini reef is installed for the project. John M. Ryan, interim senior manager of Sarasota County’s Stormwater Environmental Utility has donated “a whole bagful of

Secchi disks,” which are used to test for levels of dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity and nitrogen and phosphorus, Chiocchio added.

If homeowners in the pilot program wish to undertake their own water sampling, Chiocchio said, the SKA can provide them with disks.

“We will be doing sampling all the way through this,” Cannon noted.

Chiocchio’s goal is to see vast improvement in the Grand Canal by the time it marks its 100th birthday, which will be in 2025. Moreover, he said, the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper organization “wants to use this [pilot program] as a test …”

Sarasota County has 100 miles of dead-end canals, he pointed out, though the Grand Canal is “one of the nastiest areas.”

“Spread the word to your neighbors,” Cannon continued.

“This is a neighbor-to-neighbor project.”

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IL PANCIFICO opens on Siesta Key

By Jane Bartnett For Siesta Key fans of IL Panificio’s old-world style pizza, the good news is that the newest IL Panficio pizzeria has opened its doors in Siesta Key VILlage at 215 Avenida Madera.

With indoor or outdoor seating, IL Panificio offers pizza by the slice or by the pie. There’s also a great selection of such Italian favorites as Eggplant Rollatini, meatballs, garlic knots, a variety of salads, and hot and cold sandwiches and subs. Beer and wine is also on the menu.

If you’re in the mood for a designer pizza, order up your own toppings ranging from mushrooms to basIL, jalapenos, pineapple and artichoke. Select chicken, ham, pepperoni, bacon and sausage too, along with other favorite pizza toppings.

A tempting dessert can be a nice way to top off a stroll around Siesta Key VILlage.

Imagine a true Italian Cannoli, Italian cookies, or how about a dessert pizza for that sweet tooth? Choose a Caramel Apple, Nutella & Strawberry or Banana and peanut butter, fluff, banana or strawberry pizza for a dessert like no other.

The new Siesta Key location marks the third IL Panificio pizzeria location in Sarasota.

The original downtown store at 1703 Main Street wILl celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and the second Gulf Gate location at 2047 Reynolds Street can be found just off South Tamiami TraIL. It was relocated to its current location to make room for the Melone famILy’s expansion of the Off the Hook Gulf Gate restaurant on Gateway Avenue.

“Having an IL Panificio on Siesta Key is really great,” said Nick Melone, IL Panficio’s owner, as he discussed the successful restaurant business that he and his father and grandfather buILt together several decades ago. “We absolutely have the best thin crust pizza,” he said with pride. “Our homemade dough is made daILy with the finest

cheese, sauce, and ingredients.”

The dough, he noted, has no preservatives, sugar or shortening. Speaking of the new Siesta Key location, Melone said, “When the Davidson famILy gave us the opportunity to open a new IL Panificio right here on the Key, I was very pleased. This is my home, I’ve lived here for 30 years.” The relatively quiet months during the pandemic gave the Melones the opportunity to renovate the storefront that previously housed Soloranzano’s Pizzeria on Siesta Key, and made it their own. IL Panificio Siesta Key opened for business in early December.

“Nick Melone’s grandfather was the first to make the move to Florida from the famILy’s home base in the New York City region. First settling in St. Petersburg, the elder Melone opened a bread store called La Casa del Pene, his grandson recalled. When the famILy moved further south to Sarasota, the younger Melone had just finished his college education at the State University of New York, where he had earned a degree in buILding construction. He joined the famILy in Sarasota and saw opportunity.

This was a place where he could, whILe working side by side with his father and grandfather, share his famILy’s cherished Italian recipes and create a successful restaurant.

At the same time, he recalled, he saw a chance to put his education to work, buILding custom homes. Looking back, he said, “I started making pizza and we opened IL Panificio on Main Street in 1991. Then,” he said, “in 1997, I buILt several homes.”Standing in what wILl be the living room of a large custom home that he is currently buILding, Melone recalled, “when I buILt my first house on the Key, I bought the lot for $200,000, and buILt an $800,000 house.

It sold for $1.7 mILlion.” That

was the beginning of his custom homes, NCN Realty business. “My custom homes are all waterfront. They sell for $3 mILlion on the low end and $10 mILlion on the high end,” he stated. Melone enjoys both businesses.

“When I was getting started, the buILding business gave me something to fall back on when the restaurant business was slow, and vice versa.

Now, I manage both and thanks to my famILy and the people that we hire, it all works.”

For Nick Melone, business is a famILy affair. Nick’s wife Tracy Melone and their daughter Alexis are managing the new Siesta Key IL Panificio. Their son Nick is working with his father on a 6,000 square foot waterfront Siesta Key home that is under construction.

Melone expects to put the finishing touches on the house by March, 2021.

The popular Off the Hook Gulf Gate seafood restaurant and market at 6630 Gateway Avenue is the Melone’s fourth restaurant. Offering lunch and dinner, the Gulf Gate dining spot has seen tremendous growth since it first opened a few years ago.

Off the Hook’s celebrated chef Wes Duval is a Culinary Institute of America graduate whose critically acclaimed dishes feature locally sourced fresh seafood. His dishes bear his signature New Orleans flair, and attract many Siesta Key and Gulf Gate area customers for lunch and dinner who enjoy his seafood dishes, desserts and craft cocktaILs, along with a selection of beer and fine wine.

“Our famILy has been on Siesta Key for 30 years,” Melone told the Siesta Sand, speaking of the island that has become his home and place of business. “This is our home.”

Alexis and Tracy Melone at the new Siesta Key IL Panificio on Avenida Madera.

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Island Chatter Condo Council to conduct virtual membership meetings

In a Nov. 20 email blast, the members board of directors of the Siesta Key Condominium Council (SKCC) announced that they have cancelled membership meetings for the remainder of this year because of the coronavirus pandemic “and difficulty arranging a meeting where the SKCC can guarantee, so to speak, the condition of the attendees at the Siesta Key Chapel.”

The Chapel traditionally is where the Condominium Council conducts its sessions for members.

Then, the email blast pointed out that the board members have planned to hold a meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m. The session will focus on changes in state law that affect condominium associations, the release added. Sarasota attorney Dan Lobeck, who has expertise in those issues, will make the presentation. The email blast pointed out, “He has been our speaker on this subject for many years.”

“We anticipate sending out an info package well ahead of the meeting and will solicit questions from the membership that will be submitted ahead of time,” the email blast noted.

Congratulations to James Piatchuk!

Sarasota architect James S. Piatchuk has been named president of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for 2021, the chapter has announced.

Piatchuk’s firm is Piatchuk Architecture. He is a Sarasota native whose family came to Siesta Key in 1953, he told the News Leader.

Piatchuk also is a member of the Sarasota County Board of Zoning Appeals.

As the chapter’s website notes, “The American Institute of Architects was created in 1857 by a group of architects in Washington, D.C. The goal of the first members was to have a place where members could meet for lectures, conventions and meetings.”

In the intervening years, the website adds, the organization has grown to more than 200 chapters around the world, representing more than 95,000 licensed architects and associated professionals.

“AIA members adhere to a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that assures clients, the public and colleagues of their dedication to high standards in professional practice,” the website says.

The AIA Gulf Coast chapter represents more than 150 members in Sarasota, Manatee, Highlands, Hardee and Desoto counties, the website adds.

And in other news from the Old Stickney Point Road area …

On Nov. 13, the owners of the home located at 6701 Peacock Road sold it to a corporation based in Geneva, Switzerland, for $7,825,000, according to the Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller.

Peacock Road is the eastern border for Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ planned hotel project.

The sellers were Willis E. and Elizabeth Hartman and Hartman Oil Co., which is based in Wichita, Kan. The buyer officially is Siesta Peacock Corp., the deed shows. The Florida Division of Corporations identifies the principal of that company as Walter Stresemann of Geneva.

The articles of incorporation were filed with the state in early October, the Division of Corporations records note.

The Peacock Road parcel, which is located on Little Sarasota Bay, encompasses 56,453 square feet; the house on the property was built in 2008, the Property Appraiser’s Office records say.

With two stories, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home has 7,489 square feet of living area.

The property also has a boat dock, the Property Appraiser’s Office records say.

The taxable value of the parcel this year is $4,628,300.

The Hartmans bought the property in April 2011 for $4.9

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6519 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key Bar and Package • First Pour 1949

Continued on page 42

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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Keeping up with the (Edward) Joneses!

Growing up in Sarasota from age 6, Joe St. Onge has seen many changes throughout the area. Bee Ridge and Fruitville used to be two-lanes, and I-75 was “way out east,” Joe recalls. “It seemed as though my dad would have to fill up the gas tank and pack sandwiches just to go to the interstate,” he reminisces. Now I-75 is the central artery in this booming town. During these changes to this once small town, Joe circled back to his roots on Siesta Key, where he moved his financial practice in March of 2013, with Edward Jones Investments.

As a teenager, Joe and his friends would bike out to Siesta, get sandwiches from the market in The Village and head out to the beach for hours of volleyball. Twenty-five years later, he drives to work, goes to the same market to get lunch (now Morton’s), and then heads back to the office to help his clients.

A graduate from Riverview High School, St. Onge lettered in football, track and soccer, the latter which provided him an athletic scholarship to Mercer University in Georgia, where he earned degrees in both Accounting and Finance.

He laughs recalling a funny story about his father (a Marine), “I remember telling my dad that my scholarship saved him $60k, so he should buy me a car” (Mercer was ONLY $15k/year back then). “He said he didn’t have $60k, so I didn’t save him anything!” Joe was born on the Marine base in Yuma, AZ and appreciates his “military-like”

Sarasota Local Brings Experience & Trust to Siesta Key

combination of “youth” (47 years old) and 25+ years’ experience is a big difference maker.

Joe St. Onge outside his office on Siesta Key.

upbringing, which taught him to finish what he started, to push himself and most importantly to treat everyone with equal respect.

Losing his mom in a fatal auto accident when he was only 2 years old, Joe has a real appreciation for life and always seems to find the good in people. Joe believes good things can come out of bad situations. Losing his mom engrained in him the necessary skills to become a successful financial advisor. He helps his clients invest prudently in the event they live a long life, but also helps families plan for an unforeseen situation, as he experienced. A Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Joe has been advising and assisting clients for more than 2 decades now. He feels the unique

His clients would say the biggest difference maker is TRUST. Retired federal judge and long-time Siesta Key resident, Raymond Byrne is one of Joe’s biggest advocates. Says Byrne, “In all my years of investing, Joe is the first financial advisor that I’ve completely trusted and depended on, for my family’s financial well-being.”

This is a common sentiment throughout St. Onge’s client base, as his Client Experience Index score consistently ranks among the best within the firm.

What can’t be measured by any index is the love he has for his wife, Maureen, and their 3 kids, Joey (18), Will (15) and Kate (13). While he is client-centered from 9 AM-5 PM each day, Joe is family-centered the rest of his days, previously coaching his kids’ soccer and baseball teams, attending any/all practices & games, and watching his daughter graceful and athletic dance competitions. While you’ll hear Joe talk about the family’s crazy sports schedule, it’s never as a complaint, but an excitement for watching his kids play sports.

He feels sports, especially team sports, are great for kids in developing social skills, discipline and commitment.

Joe will be the first to tell you that he “married up” as Maureen is the ultimate wife & mom,

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sacrificing her career for the benefit of the family, just as Joe believes his mom would have been. His love and affection for his wife is very evident and can also make one understand how he appreciates the little things.

The zest for life carries over to his clients as he treats everyone as if they were his parent, grandparent, or sibling. Joe’s dad instilled in him the notion that if you treat enough people the right way, everything will eventually work out. It’s simply not hard to do the right thing.

Now everything has come full circle from his early Siesta days, as Joe tries to get his kids to understand that it’s just as easy to do the right thing and to be honest. He loves Mark Twain’s quote: “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything”.

As he tries to instill all the positive qualities of being a good person to his kids, Joe is showing them by example, as he continues to do the right thing for his clients.

Joe believes he received the ultimate compliment when a client told him about a former colleague, who was trying to take over the client’s account, a few years ago. While he respected Joe’s professionalism and knowledge, the other advisor didn’t think Joe would have enough time for the client, since he considered Joe too family oriented. Knowing Joe for 10+ years, the client just smiled and said, “if the worst thing I need to worry about is my advisor loving his family too much, we’re doing pretty well”.

Located in The Siesta Key

Village, at 5112 Ocean Blvd., Joe’s Edward Jones office, and accommodating Office Administrator Donna Hindman, is very convenient to the residents of Siesta Key. Whether you have a local advisor or not, stop in to say hello and introduce yourself.

It’s hard to find experienced advisors of 25+ years who aren’t getting ready to retire themselves.

Fortunately, for Siesta Key residents, they don’t have to look too far.

Edward Jones, the only Jones you want to keep up with!

Joe St.Onge, ChFC® Financial Advisor Edward Jones Investments 5112 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 (941)-346-0560 phone (941)-320-4030 mobile Joe.StOnge@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones. Member SIPC. Advertorial

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Traffic signal at Avenue B and C intersection on Stickney Point Road coming soon

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com Although the installation schedule had not been announced prior to the deadline for this issue of Siesta Sand, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has approved the permits for a traffic signal at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Avenue B and C, FDOT spokesman Brian Rick told the SNL. The applicant for the permits was an employee of the KimleyHorn consulting firm, which has an office in downtown Sarasota.

That information was shown in a document Rick provided the SNL. Kimley-Horn conducted the required traffic analyses for the Siesta Promenade mixed-use development, which will stand in the northwest quadrant of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.

Rick added in a December 9th email to the SNL, “All necessary paperwork has been completed” for the traffic signal project. He noted that FDOT had issued two permits to Kimley-Horn: access permit 2020-A-194-00021 and drainage permit 2020-D-19400021.

“They plan to start as soon as possible,” Rick pointed out of the undertaking.

In early December, he told the SNL that Kimley-Horn would have to provide a bond to FDOT before the work could begin.

After FDOT received the bond, Rick wrote in a December 1st email, “[T]he permits will be approved and issued, and construction can then begin.”

The timeline would be up to the contractor hired by Benderson Development Co., which is the developer of Siesta Promenade, Rick noted.

During the Dec. 12th, 2018 County Commission public hearing on Benderson’s applications for Siesta Promenade, commissioners made it clear that the traffic signal would have to be installed at the Avenue B and C intersection before the

construction of the mixed-use development could start.

Materials Benderson filed with Sarasota County Planning and Development Services staff in June 2017 included KimleyHorn’s advocacy for the traffic signal and the closure of the median opening at Stickney Point road and Glencoe Avenue. The latter action would “accommodate an eastbound left-turn lane,” the Kimley-Horn traffic analysis said.

An analysis was conducted at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Avenue B and C on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, the report noted; data was collected for 12 hours. The results “indicate that a traffic signal is warranted,” the document added.

The County Commission approved 414 condominiums/ apartments, a 130-room hotel, 133,000 square feet of retail space and 7,000 square feet of office space on the approximately 25-acre site where Siesta Promenade will stand.

Last year, Benderson purchased two single-family homes in Pine Shores Estates, which is the residential community immediately adjacent to the Siesta Promenade site. As a result, Benderson has

submitted a new, preliminary application to county staff, seeking the rezoning of those parcels so the company can add 16 more dwelling units to the development.

Continuing concerns about traffic congestion

As previously reported, Nathan Kautz, an FDOT traffic services engineer, notified Kimley-Horn staff in a December 19th, 2017 email that Kimley-Horn needed to provide details about how Avenue A ”will work with the [traffic queues] at the proposed signal [at Avenue B and C].”

Additionally, in a November 6th, 2017 email to Kimley-Horn employees, Kautz had pointed out that some of his colleagues had asked for assurance that the Avenue B and C traffic signal would not cause westbound traffic queues to back up into the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.

In a November 17th, 2017 letter to Kautz, Christopher Hatton, senior vice president of Kimley-Horn, wrote that the firm’s traffic studies indicated that westbound traffic at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Avenue B and C “is not anticipated to back up into the signal at the intersection of

[Stickney Point Road] & US 41.”

Nonetheless, Siesta Key residents have talked of such traffic backups occurring regularly on days during the height of tourist season, when beachgoers are headed from the mainland to the island via Stickney Point Road. They also have posted photos on social media to support their contentions.

During the December 9th Siesta Key Association meeting, Siesta resident James Wallace told the other participants, “We have demanded and will receive a hearing to dispute the analysis that has been done by FDOT for that light [at Avenue B and C].

That issue is not over.”

A week earlier, during a Neighborhood Workshop on proposals for a 120-room hotel and a parking garage on south Siesta Key, Wallace predicted, “If that light gets approved, 20% of the time, the east/west traffic [on Stickney Point Road] will be stopped dead in its tracks.”

Wallace has described himself as “a key person” in the litigation that fought the County Commission’s approval of Siesta Promenade. (He was a major fundraiser for the complaint Pine Shores Estates resident Sura Kochman filed against

the county in January 2019.

Ultimately, both the 12th Judicial Circuit Court and Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the county.)

In a brief that was part of the litigation, Kochman’s attorney, Ralf Brookes of Cape Coral, noted that the County Commission predicated its approval of Siesta Promenade on FDOT’s willingness for the the traffic signal to be erected at Avenue B and C. He also pointed out that the Stickney Point Road drawbridge is one of only two accesses to Siesta Key. Yet, he added, between 10 AM and 2 PM on days during the height of tourist season, “[T]his 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].”

In her December 2nd, 2019 opinion in the case, Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh wrote, “It is not in dispute that installing a traffic light is subject to approval by the Department of Transportation and that construction of [Siesta Promenade] cannot begin until the signal is installed and the intersection completed.”

Happiness is…A New Year, A New Hope It is probably fair to say that 2020 wasn’t the year that any of us imagined at this time a year ago. Lots of changes to our lifestyles and behaviors. So maybe the best thing we can do at this point is look forward to a brand-new year with new hope.

Maybe 2021 is your year to try something new – a new experience, an item on your bucket list. As they say, there’s no time like the present.

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

Our friends at Abel’s Ice Cream are up for trying new things as well. Specifically, a

couple of new delicious ice cream flavors. Gold Mine (Rich chocolate & French vanilla ice cream swirled together with a caramel ribbon) and Winter Holiday (Unbelievably wonderful white chocolate ice cream with chocolate covered cherry cups & cherry ribbon) will be in store for a limited time only so don’t delay.

Abel’s Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.

There’s no better way to start out your new year than with a tasty treat from Abel’s. It’s a great first step in an exciting new year!

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QuickHIT Fitness Lab - Work Out Fast!

By Jane Bartnett

It’s a new year! Have you resolved to shed those dreaded Covid-19 pounds and get back in shape pronto? If so, there’s a new fitness center in town that’s unlike any other.

QuickHIT Fitness Lab at 1914 Bay Road (next door to Sunny Bunny), offers private, oneon-one, 20-minute, low-impact resistance training with a personal trainer.

The gradual resistance exercise based program focuses on high intensity training designed specifically for each person. The goal is to build muscle strength in the legs, arms and core of the body.

During each session, a personal trainer stands next to the client as she or he is seated at a patented Robotically Controlled Resistance™ machine and guides them. As the trainer controls the exercise session with a computer that adapts

to each person’s strength output and range of motion, the resistance based technique builds muscle. The computer program calculates the exact amount of weight and resistance for each exercise. Every part of every movement has optimum resistance. “The more you resist against the machine,” QuickHIT Regional Manager Frank Ochoa explained, “the more the machine resists you.”

“The goal of the program is to help clients reach their fitness goals, provide sustainable results and stay healthy,” Lisa Dallas, Managing Partner, Southwest Florida QuickHIT, told the Siesta Sand. The system, she said, offers “maximum results in the shortest amount of time.” QuickHIT recommends that their clients visit the facility only twice a week for 20 minutes at a time.

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million to develop, is according to the company’s website, beneficial for adult men and women, regardless of their age, weight, or current fitness levels of fitness. The program “keeps the body’s metabolism revved up, it uses stored fat, increases muscle strength, and reverses bone density loss,” Ochoa explained. “This is the perfect answer for busy people who are short on time and want to get and stay healthy,” said Dallas. “Women,” Dallas said, “benefit from increasing bone density. As we age, she noted, bone density, muscle strength and balance all become increasingly The Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sarasota QuickHIT Fitness Lab in early December. QuickHIT Fitness Lab’s Lisa Dallas cut the ribbon with the important for a help of regional manager Frank Ochoa and trainer Carson Kedrowski. healthy and active life.” When asked to Carson Kedrowski, a University on your bones, ligaments, or describe QuickHIT’s of Wisconsin, Oshkosh graduate joints.” Data collected from clientele, Dallas told the Siesta with a degree in Kinesiology, each session is relayed to the Sand, “we have more women guides his clients through QuickHIT computer system than men. I think that women a series of exercises that are allowing the trainer to track the like the fact that it’s you and designed specifically for each clients results. The overhead your trainer. No one else is person. When a client enters dashboard monitor that appears sharing this space with you. the facility, they have the full above the machinery delivers It’s very private. As you go attention of the trainer in the real-time feedback that both through your two 20-minute small store-front space. The can see. QuickHIT documents sessions per week, there’s no majority of the workout space, show that after five weeks of judgement here. We have a lot in the rear of the physiotherapy taking part in the training, of women nurses and other studio, is taken up with technology and therapeutic busy professionals who have QuickHIT’s “one-of-a-kind, nutrition programs, both male embraced QuickHIT Fitness.” medical-grade resistance and female clients lost weight Men, Ochoa advised, also machine.” The program, and decreased body fat. like the benefits that the brief Ochoa advised, is created The Sarasota location opened workouts provide. He described in October 2019. Two other the sessions as “a triple expresso to “specifically match your level of strength and overall Southwest Florida QuickHIT for the body.” fitness without putting any Fitness Labs can be found in St. In the Sarasota facility, additional pressure or stress Petersburg and Tampa. Another Certified Personal Trainer 15 are located in the Midwest and Texas.

For the new year, QuickHIT is offering several special plans.

One-on-one sessions with a trainer may be booked by appointment only at $55 per session.

The fee for monthly access with twice weekly sessions is $440. One time a week, monthly sessions can be booked for $220. Clients who sign-up for 12 weeks or more receive a 20% discount (payable in advance).The “Double Barrel Blast” program, available (by appointment only) at $40 per-person, persession, is designed for two people who want to work out together.

It includes a private 30-minute session for two with a trainer that focuses on Toning, Cardio and QuickHIT’s patented Robotically Controlled Resistance Machine. Appointments may be made by calling 941-444-8035 or through the website at www.quickhitfit. com. To arrange a free initial consultation, book online at: www. quickhitfit.com/freeLisa Dallas, QuickHIT Fitness Lab, Managing Partner for Southwest Florida, works out on the consultation/.

Robotically Controlled Resistance Machine as trainer Carson Kedrowski guides her.

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This Year, Get Your Pup Started on the Right Paw

By Karen Bedsole, Professional Dog Trainer Did you know that January is National Train Your Dog Month?

With so many dog adoptions taking place during the holidays, the turn of the calendar is a great time to take action to ensure pups and pet parents can enjoy the benefits of proper training.

More than just a few lessons on how to roll over, dog training introduces pups to socialization, promotes good behavior, and helps develop happier and healthier companions.

If you’re beginning the new year with a new friend, here’s a look at all the reasons why training is important—and how the right techniques can have a lasting positive effect on your pup.

Once you’ve decided on training, you’ll need to find classes that work for you and your pup. Word of mouth recommendations can be helpful, so consider asking your veterinarian, groomer, or other pet parents for advice. Don’t worry: there are plenty of options from the Humane Society to obedience schools—or even your local independent pet store.

How Does Training Work?

Understanding the need for training starts with a reminder: dogs are domesticated animals descendant from wolves. In the wild they’re naturally selfsufficient – they need to be taught how to live in a house and with humans.

Depending on the dog, the breed, and the owner, your choice of training may vary. However, you should note that one popular technique of the recent past, “alpha” or “dominance training,” has been largely debunked. Most trainers have pivoted to more positive, scientifically sound techniques and a reward-based structure that enhances the dog-owner relationship through positive feedback.

With reward-based training, dogs are set up to succeed and—as the name suggests— rewarded for good performance.

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Sadly, 6-8 million pets are sent to animal shelters, and roughly 4 million are euthanized every year.

It’s a sobering fact with a relatively simple solution.

Studies have shown that most pets end up in shelters as a result of common behavioral issues that could be solved with the assistance of a professional. Unfortunately, many pet parents fail to introduce proper training because they see instruction as a luxury and not a necessity.

The truth is, training—particularly at an early age—is a key component to good animal care that can enhance a dog’s quality of life and reduce or even eliminate behavioral problems.

Paw Pals

again. Uncontrolled environments during early development can lead to bad experiences. Without proper training during what’s known as the “critical socialization period” dogs may develop bad habits and never learn how to interact appropriately with people or other dogs.

Fortunately, group training and professionally structured environmental socialization classes are a great way to overcome this and foster positive learned behaviors. While obedience training is great—with a focus on parent-pup communication and basic skills like sitting on command, coming when called, and loose leash walking—environmental socialization is vital. Generally for dogs under six months of age, socialization and play sessions in controlled surroundings that introduce puppies to all kinds of new experiences and stimuli can help set them up for success as calm, healthy, and psychologically resilient dogs.

After the six-month mark, classes mostly focus on manners, impulse control, and relationship building. This is also when training repetition helps dogs learn to truly master commands like those listed above.

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You don’t need much in the way of supplies to support training at home, but there are a few basics that can make it easier: • Treats – A great tool for rewardbased training, treats are inexpensive, readily available, and a perfect way to motivate and reinforce good behavior.

• Crates – One of the quickest and easiest housetraining methods, crates also offer a safe place to confine and comfort pups when you’re short on supervision.

• Collars and Harnesses – Depending on training type, there are several collar and harness options to choose from.

For positive reinforcement, we recommend a Martingale collar; for dogs learning to leash walk, a harness might be just the thing.

• Leashes – When selecting a leash keep it simple. Go with a standard six-footer and avoid retractable options as they may encourage wandering.

• Calming Aids – Is your dog lonely, scared, or anxious? You may need a Snuggle Puppy. This durable plush toy comes with a calming heartbeat that can help dogs of any age relax.

Remember: proper training is a necessity, not a luxury. From the classroom to the home, it’s essential your dog receives the instruction and reinforcement they need to start both pup and pet parent on the path to a healthy lifelong companionship.

Ripley is an 18-month old Bernedoodle. She is part Bernese Mountain Dog and 75% miniature poodle. She is a smart girl and is quite the diva. Loves other dogs and is a big fan of playdates and car rides. She has a big appetite and always wants whatever is on dad’s plate. She knows he is always eating something yummy. Her favorite place in the world is Brohard Paw Park.

Submit your Paw Pal to the Siesta Sand at info@27statemedia.com.

Author Karen Bedsole is the professional dog trainer at locally owned DOGPerfect.

She has been working in the dog related field for 27 years. Karen has a passion for training owners and dogs and enjoys working on building the relationship between them. Sign-up for a free 30-minute training consult with Karen at www.dogperfect.com/training.

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Very little of Sarasota County’s parkland is on Siesta Key

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio has pointed out several times in recent months that almost one-third of the county is protected from development, thanks to board decisions to preserve environmentally sensitive lands.

In fact, during a regular commission meeting in November, he even asked whether the Citizen Opinion Survey project team members with the University of South Florida could include a question in the 2021 sampling of county residents on that point.

“A simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ question,” was how he described it, asking survey respondents if they are aware of how much county property has been preserved. Maio emphasized that the one-third figure equates to 182 square miles.

“It’d be interesting to see how few people know that,” he added, “as they play that cute little ditty to us about ‘Pave Over Paradise and Build a Parking Lot.’” He was referring to Joni Mitchell’s song Big Yellow Taxi.

Maio also was referring to recent public hearings during which county residents have implored the commissioners to turn down applications for new developments so as to preserve wetlands, for example, or other open space.

After Maio made his request, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis responded that the survey team could add the question if that was the consensus of the commission.

“I think it’s an excellent question,” Chair Michael Moran replied. “I’ll assume there’s a consensus,” Moran added, unless a board member objected to the proposal.

“It’s a pretty amazing number,” Commissioner Nancy Detert said of the 182 square miles, adding that she believes many people are unaware of that fact.

Commissioner Ron Cutsinger pointed out that the county also has 160 parks encompassing more than 55,000 acres, plus open space that it requires in new residential communities.

Yet, on Siesta Key, the exact amount of land that the county has preserved for the public through creation of beach accesses may be a surprise, Siesta Key Association

(SKA) President Catherine Luckner told members during their November 5th meeting. The reason? The figure is small, she pointed out.

After hearing assertions from residents about that fact, Luckner said, she asked Nicole Rissler, director of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR), to provide the SKA a document showing the exact acreage.

Upon reviewing the figures in that list, Luckner added, she indicated that they bore out what she had heard.

At its request, county staff also provided a copy of that list to the SNL. The SNL’s review of the document found that only one of the 13 county beach accesses on the barrier island encompasses more than 0.25 acres. For Beach Access 7, which is located primarily at 402 Beach Road, county staff several years ago added a 3.2-acre segment at 330 Beach Road. Another 0.5-acre section at 5404 Calle de la Siesta also is considered part of Access 7, Rissler’s list says.

For years, island residents have urged county staff to take advantage of the extra Access 7 space — specifically an old cottage on part of the property — to create public restrooms. No such initiative has been planned at this point, based on a SNL review of the county’s Capital Projects budget materials for the current fiscal year. However, the previous PRNR director, Carolyn Brown, did discuss the idea with SKA members during one of the nonprofit’s annual meetings a few years ago.

On March 5, 2016, Brown told the SKA member who raised the issue, “It all comes down to funding and then permitting.”

When the county purchased the parcels adjacent to Access 7 — including the cottage — Brown said plans called for restrooms.

“Bathrooms are on the wish list. … Right now, there is no identified funding source for that,” she added that day.

In September 2010, a county staff report pointed out that the county purchased the two parcels next to Access 7 in 2007 and 2009, expanding the area by 3.7 acres.

The goal was “to enhance public beach access, provide additional beach parking and preserve the viewshed toward the Gulf of Mexico,” the document noted.

Adding it up

During the November 5th SKA meeting, President Luckner explained to members that the land on either side of the other county beach accesses is privately owned.

Altogether, the county has 14 beach accesses, stretching from No. 1 at 3940 N. Shell Road to No. 13 at 6900 Point of Rocks Road on the southern end of the island. The latter has no parking area, Rissler’s list points out. (Beach Access 3B, located at 136 Beach Road, also has no parking spaces.)

In fact, Luckner said, the county does not own that much public parkland on the Siesta Key. The list provided by Rissler shows that Siesta Public Beach Park has 40 acres, Turtle Beach Park encompasses 16 acres, and Turtle Beach Campground has a total of 2 acres.

Glebe Park, which is located near the Siesta Isles community, encompasses 10 acres, the list notes, and the county side of Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, located just west of the Siesta Drive drawbridge, has a total of 2 acres.

Technically, Bay Island is separate from Siesta Key, as longtime residents will attest.

The “hump bridge” on Siesta Drive is the line of demarcation between Siesta Key and Bay Island.

However, most people consider Bay Island part of the key.

Among other county properties on Siesta are Boyd Park, which stands in the elbow, so to speak, of the intersection of Higel Avenue and Midnight Pass Road. It covers 1 acre.

One other county site, Christopher Wheeler Park, which is located at 1300 Old Stickney Point Road, comprises 0.3 acres.

Thus, by the SNL’s calculation, the total county park property on Siesta Key is 78.5 acres.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Siesta Key comprises 2,240 acres, or 3.5 square miles. The total county parkland on the island makes up approximately 3% of that.

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www.siestasand.net

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2020 Siesta Key Condo Holiday Lighting Contest Winners

By Hilla Blatt • Photos by Trebor Britt The 2020 Holiday Lighting Contest was judged on Wednesday evening, December 9th. The winners were as follows:

Large condos

1st. Excelsior 2nd. Siesta Harbor 3rd. Jamaica Royale

Medium condos

1st. Fisherman’s Cove 2nd. Crescent Arms 3rd. Island House

Small condos

shout out to those supplying some tidbits and drinks for the judges.

We received a comment regarding our division by condo size and will adjust next year as the comment was right on.

Thanks for your participation to help make Siesta Key a better place.

1st. Sea Shell 2nd. Sunset Royale 3rd. El Presidente Contestants were fewer in number this year but on the plus side, those who entered did an outstanding job with their displays and many condos decorated without entering the contest. A big thanks to all and a separate

Excelsior won first place large condo.

Big G’s Oyster Happy Hour from 3-6 Every day 1/2 Priced House Oysters

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.

Fisherman’s Cove won first place medium condo.

Live Music Every Day and Night

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Sea Shell won first place for small condo.

Recipient of Best of Sarasota Home Care Award

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18

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Off Key

JANUARY 2021

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

By Robert Frederickson

A Season of Surprise?

Conventional wisdom has seemingly already written off this year’s tourist season due to continuing fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. But I’ve been surprised recently by the return of two-and-three cycle traffic light delays at several congested intersections around town – a clear signal that our local equivalent of the return of the San Juan Capistrano swallows has begun.

States like Florida with much fewer restrictions and the benefit of great weather could be the big winners, perhaps with a late season surge in the offing. I’m not saying it’s a lock, but I don’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility.

And if not an immediate bounce in visitors, what about a longer term breakout? The last major US pandemic, the Spanish flu of 1918-1919 was comparatively worse in terms of length and lives lost, but it ushered in the roaring twenties, a decade of unbridled energy, creativity and enthusiasm, one unmatched in US history.

So, what about it? Maybe, just maybe, Florida’s glass is half-full, not half empty.

downtown location where some fear it may confuse visitors passing through into thinking they’ve arrived in Bradenton or, - (gasp!)

- North Port, and not the highly refined, uber sophisticated haunt they imagine Sarasota to be.

Meantime, longserving City Manager Tom Barwin is leaving office, ‘voluntarily,’ though a shift in the balance of power on the city commission clearly influenced his decision.

Though his tenure didn’t approach the nearly 40-year reign of iron-man City Manager Ken Thompson, who served in that office from 1952-1988, a period when Sarasota actually was an honest-to-goodness arts colony, not simply a chamber-of-commerce approximation thereof, Barwin, with 12 years of service, did outlast a number of his political rivals and managed to leave office with his dignity intact, which is more than can be said for a number of his most recent predecessors.

Statue Stays, City Manager Goes...

Remembering Stan’s VW Bus...

The much maligned ‘Unconditional Surrender’ statue will stay on Sarasota’s bayfront, much to the dismay of certain locals who would have preferred it be banished from its oh so visible

The venerable Volkswagen Microbus from the 1960s has become one of the most sought after candidates for restoration in recent years, with prices for restored examples at auction soaring to prices well north of

A restored version of Volkswagen’s icon 1960s Microbus.

$100,000, especially for highend models like the prized 13-window version.

Long-time local writer and journalist Stan Zimmerman – a reporter for a precursor to this publication, The Pelican Press – had a VW Bus that he donated years ago for a raffle supporting a sixties themed fundraiser MC’d by Longboat Key resident Dick Smothers. I think it was for the benefit of the now defunct G-Wiz Science Museum that occupied the old Selby library across from the

Hyatt Hotel for many years.

Anyway, I bet Stan wishes he had the VW bus today.

But as I recall, his example was fairly rough at the time, and restoration costs aren’t cheap and the time needed to pull off a first rate restoration is not short.

But one lucky fellow featured on the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow” recently found a slick way to monetize the resurgence of popularity in these iconic symbols of sixties culture without all the

hard work and deep pocket expenses. He had brought in an especially rare ‘Hot Wheels” example featuring a surfboard protruding from the rear window that his father had given him years ago when he was a kid. His diminutive version, measuring less than 4 inches in length, was valued by the Antiques Roadshow appraiser at $100,000-to$150,000, many, many, many times greater than its weight in gold.

Things to Do Horticulture Study Group January 13, 2021 – 9:30 AM Sarasota Garden Club 1131 Blvd. of the Arts “The Doctors Return”

Lo ca S Ne l A ar w rt aso to is t ts a!

G al le ry

The Speakers will be Dr. Know It All, Dr. Judy Bird.........of Paradise, and Dr. Kay Phalaenopsis. This will be your chance to bring in your plants that might need help and have them treated or diagnosed by the doctors. Have questions?

Want to try to stump the doctors? This is a MUST program for all gardeners.

We are looking forward to your challenges!

Coastal Flow is filled with handcrafted pieces by local artists and amazingly skilled craftsmen. Get a one of a kind piece for your house!

We will be having a plant exchange: please bring plant in clean pot with plant I.D. if possible. Please wear your name tag and your mask.

All SGC members attending are always free. And guests are always welcome for a $10.00 charge each.

We-do-So-Love-Hands-On-Gardening, Kay Weber and Judy Herman Horticulture Study Group Co-Chair Siesta Key Chapel Adult Education Classes for January January 3 & 10, 9 AM - “First Presbyterian Missionaries in America” with Bob Kuck January 17, 24, 31 & February 7, 9 AM - “How NOW Then Should We Live” with Rev. Lyn Olson

Keep your life Nauti with Coastal Flow!

Wednesday- Saturday 11-4 and by appt 7216 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231 941-445-3989 coastal-flow.com

www.siestasand.net

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JANUARY 2021

27th State Media LLC

19

Did You Know Siesta Key has a GEMSTONE? 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 is very proudof their unique collection and variety of designs in Sterling Silver and in 14K gold..

Also available online at

Siesta Key Watercolor Gemstone

www.SilverCitySarasota.com Silver City Sarasota 6539 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL. 34242 Phone: 941-349-5030

www.SilverCitySarasota.com

Open Monday-Saturday 10am to 5pm

Gift Certificates Available

HAPPY HOUR 4pm-6:30pm Happy Hour Food & Cocktails MONDAY PRIX-FIXE MENU 3 Course Menu for $22 — Every Monday OPA WEDNESDAY! Saganaki Opa! Appetizer $7 WINE THURSDAY 1/2 Off Bottles of Wine HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday 11:30 - 9 | Friday & Saturday 11:30 - 10 | Sunday 11:30-8 UNIVERSITY PARK

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SARASOTA LANDINGS 4956 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 941-927-2270

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Advertorial

20

Siesta Sand

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941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosts holiday reception The Chamber’s Holiday Reception at Michael’s Wine Cellar was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! Members and friends mixed and mingled while enjoying an appetizer buffet, desserts and cocktails.

Thank you, Cloe, Tracey and the rest of the Michael’s On East staff for making our event so special.

We appreciate the following sponsors and businesses: Holiday Cocktail Sponsor: Fisherman’s Cove Appetizer Buffet Sponsors: Beach Bazaar & Hughes Exterminators Dessert Sponsor: Siesta Sand Centerpiece Sponsors: Concept Digital Media, Regions Mortgage,

& Siesta Village Dentistry Centerpieces Donated By: Flowers by Fudgie Photographer: Xavier Alcaraz at Create Seven Door Prizes: GEM Travel Consultants & Sherwin Williams

(L-R) Ann Frescura, Executive Director of the Siesta Key Chamber, Aledia Tush and Jane Earley from CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, and Trish Ivey from fresh. PR & Marketing (L-R) Jan Metzler, Van Withey from Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, Eddie Ward from Eddie’s Airport Rides and Limousine Service, Mary Metzler, Travis Dudley from Island House Tap & Grill, and Sharon Stephens from Stitchin’ Memories

(L-R) Mathew Purdy from Ascendia Group, Jere Bird and Audra Snyder from Hughes Exterminators

Siesta Key Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce

(L-R) Ann Frescura, Executive Director, and Mia Leone, Visitor Center Manager, of the Siesta Key Chamber, Steve Cavanaugh from Tropical Sands Accommodations and the incoming Board Chair of the Chamber, Rachel Dixon, Promotion and Event Coordinator, and Nancy-jo Manney, Membership Director, of the Siesta Key Chamber

Proudly Serving Locals and Tourists since 1959!

Open 9-5 Mon.- Fri. 10-4 Sat.

941-349-3800 5114 Ocean Blvd.

SiestaKeyChamber.com

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941.312.0665

JANUARY 2021

27th State Media LLC

21

WORD SEARCH PAGE 27 VILLAGE MAP pgs 22 -23 CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 24 ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43 GULF GATE SHOPS pg 31 941.312.0665

Flag Ceremony

By Mike Cosentino

Special thanks to Chris Davis and his son, Forbes, and Terry Mahoney and his son, Miles for helping install and decorate the tree at Patriot’s Pier.

The star makes it atop the tree.

The Davis and Mahoney men feeling the Christmas spirit.

A gathering at Patriot’s Pier on Sunset Point to pay tribute to those who have served and those who have fallen on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Twice each day, we proudly honor the sacrifices of our military and service personnel in protecting our country and our freedoms. Every morning at 8:00 AM we raise our flag to Reveille. At sunset, we lower it to Taps.

We are the land of the free because of the brave. On December 7th, our flag was at half-staff in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day. On that fateful day in 1941, 2,403 U.S. personnel were killed and 19 U.S. Navy ships were damaged or destroyed. Not unlike 9/11, we will never forget.

As a kid, my dad told me of his principle crying over the intercom as he announced

the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Like many, my dad had his folks forge his papers, and joined the Navy, and the fight, at age 16.

He died without ever sharing his wartime experiences beyond, “You don’t want to know.”

Captain Ralph Styles, who began our flag ceremony over 30 years ago, was at Pearl Harbor that day. As a submarine commander, he went on to sink 11 Japanese ships in the war, and before he retired to Siesta Key was the commander of the entire Pacific Fleet. There’s a plaque by the gazebo in the Village commemorating his service and accomplishments.

Among my last, best memories of my folks was an evening we spent with Captain Styles and his daughter Annie after his flag ceremony. About 12 years ago, Captain Styles and my dad passed away. We not only lost two pillars of our community, but the flag ceremony went away, too.

When I bought the pier property several years ago, my first goal was to seek Annie’s blessing to revive her father’s flag ceremony.

She agreed, and joined the Sons of the American Revolution and several Veterans in dedicating our new flag and pole on December 17, 2017.

The Covid quagmire has her stuck in

Maine, but Annie, if you’re reading this, we love you, we miss you, and we eagerly await your return. Especially in these contentious times, our ceremony provides us all with an opportunity to celebrate our common ground as citizens of these United States of America and to pay tribute to those who provide the blanket of freedom under which we peacefully sleep.

P.S. Please join us if you can. Enter “10 Beach Road” into Google Maps for directions. Our nightly ceremony can be seen on Facebook at “Patriot’s Pier at Sunset Point.” Should anyone wish to have us fly the flag of your loved one on his/her birthday, please leave me a message at (941) 346-2584. ‘Merica!!

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

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

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Blooming This Month: Giant Shrimp Plant (Barleia Micans)

MARKET & GRILL

217 AVENIDA MADERA SIESTA KEY

941-552-8826

www.THESEAFOODJOINT.com

CATERING AVAILABLE

Pollo Ó Al Pastor Martes y Jueves

UCI KC O R T D EX FOO EN M CHO HE

Open Now! Horario: 7am - 4pm Lunes a Sábado

5808 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL

941-580-1254

Giant shrimp (Barleia Micans) bush is a great winter bloomer for large areas in sun or shade.

The bright lemon yellow clusters of blooms and bright green 6” leaves on the small shrub are an excellent addition to South Florida landscape.

This small, drought resistance bush get about 3 feet tall and 3’ feet wide.

A bonus is it attaches pollinator Butterflies and Bees. Another bonus is these beautiful plants bloom several times a year.

Currently blooming in the Falling Waters Garden at Sarasota Garden Club located at 1131 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL.

OPEN DAILY 8 AM - 2 PM SAFELY SERVING INSIDE & OUTSIDE DINING IN THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE

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 Blase 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 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

349-2822

941.312.0665

JANUARY 2021

lasé Ca

HAPPY HOUR 4-6 PM Daily

& Martini Bar

Sanderling

nonstop in the warm, shallow waters of Siesta Key’s beaches.

With a style of hunting akin to a dance, the sanderling chases the waves up and down the beach to find small creatures like sand crabs, mollusks, and marine worms that are exposed when the waves retreat.

Calidris alba

The sanderling is just one of many sandpipers found on Siesta Key’s three public beaches. Of all the migratory snowbirds that winter on the Key, the sanderling has one of the most grueling commutes.

At just seven inches in length and weighing three ounces, the sanderling flies roughly 3,500 miles from its summer breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle. That’s banking some serious frequent flier miles! It’s no wonder that the sanderling seems to eat

• SEGWAY RENTALS • PADDLEBOARDS • SCOOTER CARS • GOLF CARTS • BIKES • SCOOTERS • BEACH GEAR Map B #34 5255 Ocean Blvd • Siesta Key Village www.robinhoodrentals.net

941-554-4242

Jan Baumgartner’s handmade notecards showcase Siesta Key natural scenic beauty and wildlife. Siesta Key Siesta Key notecards are available in two locations:

941.349.9822 theblasecafe.com

HI 0 92

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HAPPY HOUR 4 - 7 pm Daily

TWO GREAT ONE LOCATION! TWO GREATPLACES PLACES ONE LOCATION! 5263 SiestaKey Key 5263Ocean Ocean Blvd.

Blvd. || Siesta LET US CUSTOMIZE SHIRTS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

WE’VE MOVED

a few doors down Map D #11

BLVD Beachwear 5239 Ocean Blvd 941-349-2583 Shelly’s Gift and Christmas Boutique 4420 S Tamiami Trail 941-260-8905

WHAT 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

MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage................ Map-B #35 The Spa at Calle Minorga............... Map-E #74 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

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

941-260-6400

Map D #62

Coffee Shop • Tea Room • 5138 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

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

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941.346.1188 siestapi.com

MARKETS/FOOD STORES Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 Morton’s Siesta Market................ Map-C #25

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3.14 PI T1 A E Awesome pizza, AS L B wings & bartenders!

MAILING - SHIPPING US Post Office................................. Map-D #65

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Arizona Big Buckle

Madrid Big Buckle

Gizeh Big Buckle Map D #64

Bringing you quality and comfort for more than 40 years!

Birkenstock & More 5128 Ocean Blvd. Siesta Village

941-346-7425 Gift Certificates Available

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www.siestasand.net

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX 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

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

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

Big Water Fish Market................................C-3 #17 Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill...............A-5 #12

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JANUARY 2021

Snapshots of Island Visitors

27th State Media LLC

25

Photos by Trebor Britt

“Boomin on the Beach” Jason Jaffe (34) , Kristen Pomykala (32), Leesha Yoder (29), and Nicole Monschein (28) all of Sarasota enjoying music on their boom box while relaxing along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Wishes for 2021 Leesha said, “I would like hugs to be back.” Nicole added she wants to travel more and Kristen interjected, “I want to have all the puppies in the land.”

“Still Ahead of Little Brother” Jacob Sanchez (5) of Tampa happy to pose with and help bury his 12 year old cousin Kassidy Vasquez of Queens, NY. Fifteen family members gathered in Tampa for Thanksgiving. They claimed one person in their family ate 2 whole turkeys.

“Floating on Sand” Rhett Chiappone (24) and Caitlin La Joie (6) born on leap year, enjoying their smiley face air mattress on land and water. They just moved to Punta Gorda from upstate NY. If a Genie could grant one wish, Chiappone said he would like to go back when he was in ninth grade to tell his father to sell the house and buy Bitcoin.

“BFF’s” Elementary School friends Courtney Hrichan (25) and newlywed Kayla Nieswiadomy of Buffalo, NY soaking in the warm weather on the Siesta Key shoreline.

Engaged for 2.5 years, Kayla was just married in October and both are huge Buffalo Bills fans.

“Turtle’s Regulars” First timers Mark Clements of Chicago, Evan Clements, Kristine Clements, Amanda Morrison, and Denise and John McNair of Sarasota enjoying the spectacular atmosphere and delicious cuisine on the Turtles Restaurant deck overlooking Little Sarasota Bay. “Anytime new people visit us, we always bring them to Turtles,” John said. “We’ve eaten here probably 20 times or more.”

“Air Llama” Sophia Cicero (10) of Ellenton enjoying her Llama float on incredible Siesta Beach. She loves the soft sand and related this story. When Sophia’s family caught a jellyfish in a bucket the jellyfish released numerous little jellyfish so they safely released them all back in the Gulf.

“Eyes on Broadway” Ten year old athlete and dancer, Malaya O’Brien of Bayside, NY throwing a nearly perfect spiral pass to her father on spectacular Siesta Beach. She loves to compete in jazz, lyrical and hiphop dancing. Malaya aspires to dance in a show on Broadway or become a “Radio City Rockett” one day.

“Ladies @Turtles” The Tri-Thi’s Sarasota Ladies group, who have been friends for over 20 years, ready to enjoy a fabulous dinner at one of the areas perfect mixes of atmosphere and outstanding food. Pam Harding, Dawn Blomgren, Lynne Catlin, Leslie Townsend, Barbara Catlin (antlers) Unnamed by choice, Susan Narring, and Carol Forrest, finishing their annual ornament exchange evening at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay.

“Christmas Sandman” One of the area’s talented sand sculptors left beach goers a fun photo backdrop to enjoy. Siesta Beach annually hosts one of the Nation’s top sand sculpting competitions showcasing master sculptors from all over the world. Winners are awarded a generous cash prize.

“Hmmmmmmm?” New Town, PA sisters, Ashleigh (16), and Kinley Adams (11) took no time guessing who the unfinished sand sculpture is going to be. Who’s your guess? These sisters agreed the soft sand and usually calm waves kept bringing them back to America’s No. 1 Siesta Beach year after year.“

26

Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

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Alpine Steahouse BEST RESTAURANT FOR STEAK!

Alpine Steakhouse is proud to be the recipient of the Sarasota Magazine Readers’ Choice award for “Best Restaurant for Steak” seven times including in 2020.

If you haven’t yet, it’s time for you to discover the Alpine Steakhouse, Florida’s oldest premier restaurant, steakhouse, meat market (butcher shop) and small specialty grocery all under one roof. The Alpine is something of a cultural landmark, being more than 40 years old, the first place in Sarasota to specialize in prime meats of the New York City steakhouse persuasion, and has continually been operated and crafted to perfection by the same family.

Come in and enjoy a great steak in the recently remodeled 70 seat dining room. You can choose your own steak from the meat case.

“The thing that makes me the proudest is that virtually nothing we serve comes out of a box or shrink-wrap,” says coowner Mark Rebhan.

Owners Mark and son Matt Rebhan, want to invite everyone to come and enjoy a great meal in this unique restaurant.

Here is what they are saying online:

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

www.siestasand.net

“Pittsburgh Style” We had the NY Strip “Pittsburgh Style” which means heavy sear on both sides. Lots of flavor. Mmmmm. We had a twice baked potato to go with it. We are on our way again for the second time this week. Great Atmosphere.

Also, an in house butcher shop right inside. Next time I’m going to come here to pick up my steaks and fresh ground sirloin for some tasty burgers.

“What an amazing place! It is not fancy or pretentious!”

Just excellent food and great service. We had the NY strips and the filet mignon...all cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth. The twice baked potatoes are amazing as is the homemade clam chowder. We were full but we HAD to try dessert...we had the truffles mint chocolate chip and spumoni with fresh whipped cream. Even the coffee was good... what took us so long? Also want to order from the meat market... wow.

One of my new favorite places.

Choose your steak from the meat case

The Rebhans want everyone to know that they offer a complete catering service for business, holiday and events.

The restaurant is located at 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, one block north of Proctor Road at traffic light of Field Road and US 41.

Hours; Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun Closed. (941) 922-3797 www.alpinesteak.com Advertorial

NOW OPEN FOR INDOOR DINING

Online Ordering for Take out and Delivery

Thanksgiving weekend sunset on the #1 beach in the USA. Photo by the Siesta Sand.

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

JANUARY 2021

Sheriff’s Report 11/26- Assault on Officer and Horse Mounted Patrol deputies in the Village were escorting a group of males from a bar where a disturbance had occurred inside. The group refused to leave the area as directed and one individual in the group stepped forward and pushed the horse on which a deputy was mounted away by the neck.

Despite a warning to stop, the suspect grabbed the reins of the horse away from the deputy. The suspect continued to resist arrest, struck the deputy, and then fled a short distance until assisting deputies were able to place the suspect in handcuffs.

11/26- Bicycle Theft The victim had two Trek bicycles locked to his van. The Victim believes they were stolen overnight and listed the value for one bike at $1700 and the other at $400. A witness at a nearby rental property reported seeing a suspicious person in the area after midnight on the night the bikes

were stolen. The deputy then attempted to obtain fingerprints.

11/27- Shoplifting The suspect stole a pair of sunglasses from a store. The store surveillance system caught the incident and is being downloaded and provided to the authorities as evidence. The suspect appeared to be wearing a tee shirt with his employer’s name on it. The employer was contacted by the shop owner.

12/4- Property Damage A box truck allegedly backed into and damaged the gutter on a car port located in a condominium complex. A witness heard a metal crunching sound in the vicinity of the box truck but did not actually see the impact. The damage has been estimated at $800.

12/9 Assault Upon arrival at a residence, a deputy observed a victim covered in blood, crying, and shaking.

Upon interviewing the victim and the other resident in the household, it was determined that a roommate

had hit the victim 3 times in the back of the head with a glass music box. The suspect claimed she did so in self-defense.

12/14 Theft At approximately 12:45 in the afternoon, the victim arrived home with her husband and pulled into her garage. She proceeded to assist her husband inside and then returned to her car to gather her items when she witnessed the suspect running out of her garage onto Oxford Drive where a car was waiting for the suspect. The suspect took a handbag, iPhone, cash and credit, debit and gift cards from the car. A credit card company advised that an attempt was made on her credit card at a nearby grocery store. The suspects were captured on video at the grocery store attempting to make a purchase with the stolen credit card. The suspects were observed leaving in a 2018 or 2019 white Chevy Impala with tinted windows and sunroof. The victim’s car was processed for fingerprints and DNA. The iPhone was recovered, having been disposed of by the suspects, but was smashed and unusable.

November crime stats reported During the December 9th Siesta Key Association meeting, Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the Sheriff’s Office substation on the island, reported that about 345 calls for service were recorded in November. Of all those investigated, he continued, 9% were considered “Part 1” crimes under the FBI definition applied to more serious incidents, such as burglaries and thefts.

Most of those November incidents, Smith said, occurred the weekend of November 13th-15th.

“We were able to develop suspects,” he added. The majority of the culprits were from Manatee County, he noted, and several have been arrested.

Another big case, Smith said, involved multiple juvenile offenders who came over to the Key one night “and stole a bunch of golf carts.”

Some of those individuals drove golf carts on the beach, he pointed out, while a couple headed off the island in the vehicles.

Charges were expected soon in connection with those incidents, Smith said.

Additionally, all but one of the vehicle break-ins reported in

November involved vehicles that were not locked. In the other case, he noted, “The alarm sounded” when someone tried to get into the vehicle, so the perpetrator was unable to gain entry.

“Please lock your cars; hide your valuables,” Smith emphasized, as he has during past SKA meetings.

“I can’t stress that enough, how important that is,” he said, to lock vehicles “wherever you go.”

One SKA member told Smith that, a few days prior to the meeting, a young man — whom she described as well-dressed — appeared at her door with “a box full of candy bars.”

The young man asked her and her husband if they would like to buy some of the candy.

The couple never had had anyone show up like that in the past, the woman continued. They considered that the person legitimately might have been working on sales, the woman told Smith, but their nextdoor neighbor later warned them that people will “case” a house through the ruse of trying to sell items to the homeowners.

“Getting to our house is not exactly easy,” the woman pointed

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out to Smith, “so someone really tried to find our front door.”

During tourist season, especially, Smith told the couple, scam artists appear in this community; for that matter, he said, they show up statewide.

While many people may legitimately be trying to sell goods, Smith continued, “You have to be aware and be vigilant in protecting yourself.”

Distraction burglaries also are not uncommon, he explained. In those situations, one person will try to keep the homeowner occupied at the front door while a second person tries to get into the residence from the back door.

If any homeowner becomes concerned about persons showing up at a house for any reason, Smith said, the resident should feel free to call the Sheriff’s Office. A deputy can ask the person to leave, he added, if the person is on private property and the homeowner does not want the person there.

The non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s Office is 941-316-1201.

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27

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Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

Arts on the Horizon When was the last time you were in school?

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

By Rodger Skidmore

That many years ago?

Wow! Well, now there are many reasons to act like Marty McFly in Back to the Future and visit an old high school. Specifically, the old Sarasota High School building on Tamiami Trail just south of downtown.

Architecturally speaking it is a gem, it is the high school that everyone should have in their memory. The school was built in 1926 and was actively used until 1996 when the students were shifted to a larger set of buildings: the main one designed by Paul Rudolph. The city, once the school was no Then: Sarasota High School Now: Sarasota Art Museum, dedicated to contemporary art longer being utilized, could have declared the all thinking those good thoughts spot on Whittaker Bayou which performance. Don’t just look property as “surplus” and sold that can make all lives better. he acquired and then renovated, at her painting as you pass it off to a developer who would And, because this competition is opening it up to nature. by, stop and let yourself enter have put in a strip mall. The headquartered here in Sarasota, When a new building is them. You can find exhibition city commission just could many of the entries are from the constructed there is usually, hours and safety protocols at not see tearing down such an local area. In fact, Emily N. a 7th tucked away in some corner, a Sarasotaartmuseum.org. iconic building, so just let it grader at Sarasota Middle School small plaque inscribed with the 15 - 9 - 12 - 1 - 2 - 8 sit there until some forwardwon the Best-in-Show student name of the architect or design No, these are not the thinking citizens could come award. firm responsible for the look of suggested winning lottery along with a grand plan. A Spoiler Alert: the following the building. It’s sort of a mininumbers from a fortune number of Sarasotians who are some of the quotes that credit like those that flash by in cookie found in the back of loved contemporary art got will be up on the billboards a tiny blur after a film is shown. the kitchen junk drawer, but together and pitched their idea this year - Stop pointing a finger In buildings that were paid for they do tangentially relate to of a museum to the city. Then and start lending a hand; Social by charitable contributions there winning.

On January 20th, the a strong, retired New Yorker, equality cannot be achieved if the is a large bronze list of donors in 18th annual outdoor exhibit Wendy Surkis, spearheaded the folks making the decisions all look the lobby - pay to play. But what of those giant Embracing Our fundraising effort until enough alike; and A country will realize its of those workers that actually Differences billboards will be money was available to convert potential only when it recognizes its made the building a living, back in Bayfront Park. This the old school shell into a new people. breathing entity. They are here, year, 15,912 entries of original and vibrant museum space.

If you’re tired of sitting home, in an exhibit commemorating quotes and illustrations Along the way, The Ringling day after day, a nice brisk (or those workers. Not just a list came in from 128 different College of Art and Design got on leisurely) walk through this of names but a photo portrait countries.

Fifty billboards will board to turn the empty space park on Sarasota Bay is just of each by Sarasota’s portrait be showing off the winners into an operating entity - The the thing. These billboards specialist, Barbara Banks, herself the fifty best illustrations and Sarasota Art Museum, dedicated will put a spring in your step, a graduate of Sarasota High fifty best quotes.

But even to contemporary art. a smile on your face, and a School. the submissions that were not So, while the beautiful façade thought or two in your head.

Melding? Interpolation? selected came from winners.

The is one reason to look at the And, having the exhibition in Subsummation? fact that those 15,812 entrants outside of the building, the the middle of Sarasota’s winter Transmogrification? How to took the time to think about how reasons to enter are many. A means less humidity and more describe the art of Janania diversity affects all of us in a current exhibit, appropriately, lovely breezes. The exhibit Tschäpe? All of those words positive way makes them better, is on architecture - that of Carl runs from January 20 - April apply. Her current exhibit, more rounded students which Abbott. This exhibit shows not 1, with more information at Between the Sky and the Water, at makes them all winners.

Yes, only a dozen examples of Mr. embracingourdifferences.org the Sarasota Art Museum cross most of these entries are from Abbott’s site-specific projects but a range of media—painting, A second chance elementary and high school also focuses on his own work drawing, installation, sculpture, With all the holiday spirit, students from all over the world, DaRuMa-LandingsAd SunsetSpecials.pdf 1 7/20/20 2:17 PM space, the Bayou Studio, a lovely photography, video, and

rushing here and there, as well as hither and yon, you might have forgotten the treat of watching the Sarasota Ballet’s performances in their Digital 3 presentation of some of the best ballets that they’ve done in the past.

Regret not, as it has been postponed until January 1-5. Get more information at Sarasotaballet.org.

Champagne

Yes, start the year off with a flute of champagne and drink enough to put 2020 far behind. Then, at the end of the month enjoy listening to one of the world’s top contemporary flute players - a flute of a different color. Claire Chase will be presenting a world of new flute music in the New Music New College series. Ms. Chase was named a McArthur Fellow in 2012 and was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in 2017 - so you know she’s got the chops to put on a great performance.

In 1936 Edgard Varèse composed Density 21.5, which made quite an impact in the world of flute players and flute devotees - a truly haunting melody. Ms. Chase is now working on a 23-year project commissioning a new body of flute compositions to be completed by 2036, the centenary of Varèse’s work. Some of these new pieces, by Suzanne Farrin, Du Yun, Mario Diaz de Leon, Felipe Lara, and others, will be on the program. The date and time (8PM on January 30th) for this concert seems firm, as does an artist conversation (free) on the 28th and a half-hour preconcert conversation on the night of the performance - so check newmusicnewcollege.org for the specific venues as we get closer to the end of the month.º

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JANUARY 2021

Side Bar

CLUB

Food up top

door, they put Chef Petralia in charge of developing the culinary concept for Seabar. He wanted to use fresh local seafood sourced from local fisheries but still design the menu with ingredients and recipes inspired by the islands of the Pacific. An early menu favorite is the kung pao octopus which is served over Chinese black rice, broccolini, gochujang bbq, and served with a squid ink chip ($20). Another standout is the u-10 scallops served with a Thai chile butter, farro, pickled fresno pepper, and Thai basil ($28).

For starters, the shokupan toast which is home-made Japanese milk bread with uni butter, mustard seed, and Asian pear jam ($7), and the grilled oysters with kimchi mignonette and seaweed salad ($MP) have stolen the show.

Happy hour is from 4 PM to 7 PM seven days a week.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

BLASE CAFÉ In the Village 941-349-9822

GILLIGANS ILAND BAR & RESTAURANT In the Village 941-326-8122

29

Bartender of the Month

SEABAR *Modern Pacific Fare opens in Gulf Gate!

In November, Seabar opened its doors in the booming Gulf Gate Village district. Owners Mike Whalen and Casey Daniels opened their first restaurant venture Gulf Gate Food + Beer next door to Seabar in 2018 so they are no stranger to the neighborhood. Seabar draws a collective influence from the cultures of the Pacific Ocean while keeping a fresh local seafood driven focus. A unique and modern vibe will carry through your whole dining experience from start to finish.

Whether you are stopping in for happy hour small plates and cocktails at the twenty seat U-shaped bar or for an intimate dining experience, menus and décor are anything but ordinary.

Seabar’smenu was designed

by Chef Anthony Petralia who has worked for the restaurant group since January. He started at Gulf Gate Food + Beer helping to fine tune some recipes and help organize an already busy kitchen. When Casey and Mike took over the restaurant next

27th State Media LLC

Happy hour drink features include $7 classic cocktails, $5 sake bombs, $1 off craft drafts, and $6 Copper Ridge wines.

There is also a happy hour snack menu featuring $1.50 grilled oysters (ea), $4 togarashi popcorn, $5 edamame hummus, $5 fish sticks, and $6 crispy calamari. Happy hour can be enjoyed not only at the bar but in the whole restaurant.

Seabar is open seven days a week from 4 PM until midnight Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday Seabar stays open until 2 AM with a smaller late-night menu after 11 PM. Also, be sure to check out ladies’ nights starting in January, Thursday from 9 PM to close.

Special for the ladies are $5 craft cocktails and martinis. So, dress to impress!

Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) 5238 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key 941-346-5433

Celebrate the new year with a cocktail at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar located in the Village were our January Bartender of the Month, Gina, can craft for you one of her signature cocktails. Let’s get to know Gina a little better:

Siesta Sand: What makes SKOB a special place to work?

Gina: The people I get to work with. We are all one big family in and outside of work.

Siesta Sand: What do you enjoy about your job?

Gina: Getting to meet new people from all around the world and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can have fun.

Siesta Sand: Where are you from?

Gina: Sarasota, FL Siesta Sand: What are your hobbies?

Gina: Weaving & Macramé

Siesta Sand: Do you have a signature cocktail?

Gina: I have a few but at the moment, my Samoa cookie shot.

Siesta Sand: Are you a sports fan?

Gina: No, but I am a huge fan of the Puppy Bowl!

Siesta Sand: How long have you been bartending?

Gina: On and off for about 8 years

Swordfish

Seabar * Modern Pacific Fare 6540 Superior Avenue 941-923-6605www.seabarsrq. com @seabarsrq on Facebook & Instagram Advertorial

Siesta Sand: How long you have you been working at SKOB? Gina: A little over 6 years Siesta Sand: What does SKOB have to offer?

Gina: Amazing ambiance and even better food

Siesta Sand: What do you like to drink?

Gina: Wine or vodka Siesta Sand: Best time for locals & visitors to stop in SKOB? Gina: No matter when you come in, you’re bound to have a good time. If you love oysters as much as we do, then come in between 3 PM-6 PM for half priced oysters by the dozen.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Nick Levalley 6-10 PM

Rob Viola (7th 14th & 21st) Rob Garcia (28th) 6-10 PM

Jim Stone Band w/ Zack Yoder 6-10 PM

Rob Garcia & Paul Crotty (2nd 16th & 30th) TBD (9 & 23rd) 6-10 PM

Ron Kraemer Trio (17th 24th & 31st ) TBD (3rd & 10th) 6-10 PM

Rodney Shenk: 6-10 PM

RPM LIVE: 6-10 PM

6-10 PM Mike Tozier OR Deven Starr

RPM LIVE - 6-10 PM

DJ Kkonn – 10 PM

SIESTA KEY OYSTER BAR (SKOB) In the Village 941-346-5443

Live Music

Live Music

Live Music

Live Music

Live Music

Live Music

Live Music

1-5 PM: 7-11 PM

1-5 PM: 7-11 PM

1-5 PM: 7-11 PM

2-6 PM 8-Midnight

11 AM – 2 PM 3-7 PM 8-Midnight

10 AM - 1 PM

THE COTTAGE In the Village 941-312-9300

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 6:30-9:30 PM

Live Music 6:30-9:30 PM

Live Music 6:30-9:30 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

THE HUB-BAJA GRILL In the Village 941-349-6800

Live Music 6-9PM

Live Music 6-9 pm

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

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 3:00 – 6:00 PM 6-10 PM

SNIKI TIKI @ CAPT CURTS Crescent Beach Shops 941-349-3885

LIVE MUSIC 6-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6-10 PM

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 6-9 PM

Turtle Beach Grill Southern end of SK 941-349-2280

LIVE MUSIC 5-9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5-10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5-9 PM

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

LIVE MUSIC 5-8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5-8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5-8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3-7 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3-7 PM

Spearfish Siesta Grille Southern end of SK 941-349-1971

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

1-5 PM; 7-11 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM LIVE MUSIC 6-10 PM

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

Zack Yoder- 1 PM DJ Kkonn – 10 PM

7 -11 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3-7 PM

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Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Discover the Gulfgate Library

By Jane Bartnett Soon after the Gulf Gate Library opened its doors in January 2015, at 7112 Curtis Avenue, praise for the $7.69 million, two-story, 24,920-square-foot building project began to pour in. Designed by Sarasota County architects Harvard Jolly Architects, and built by Willis A. Smith Construction Inc., of Lakewood Ranch, the current structure replaced the previous library that was built in 1983.

Discussing the Gulf Gate Library’s 50 year history, Christine Franz Aston, Gulf Gate Library Manager of Libraries and Historical Resources, told the Siesta Sand that the library has come a long way from its humble bookmobile beginnings in the 1970‘s. After a generous donor gave the library a sizable tract of land at the corner of Gulf Gate Drive and Curtiss Avenue, the first permanent Gulf Gate Library opened its doors in 1983. As the years went by and growth and demand continued, Aston reported that “they kept adding on to the original 1983 building.” Some 25 years later, it was clear that a new, larger, up-to-date library was needed.

In the early days of 2010, the community came together to plan a new library. It became “a true community project,” Aston noted. “Everyone was very supportive and very focused on getting a new library.”

When the old building was demolished in 2013, the library moved into temporary headquarters in the Sarasota Square Mall. “When we opened in January 2015,” Aston, said, “there must have been 3,000 people on hand. It was a fantastic grand opening.”

The new library was quickly recognized by the American Institute of Architects for its “flexible meeting spaces and warm, inviting design,” and by the U.S. Green Building Council. Accolades for the building’s design included a 2016 designation as the Most Beautiful Library in Florida.

A short drive from Siesta Key,

The Gulf Gate Library by night. Photo Credit: Harvard Jolly Architects

the Gulf Gate library is easily accessible from Stickney Point and South Tamiami Trail. Open to all Sarasota County residents and visitors alike, residents are encouraged to obtain a free Sarasota County Library card to access the library’s many offerings. Non-residents visiting Siesta Key and the Sarasota region are also encouraged to obtain temporary library cards online or at the library.

Three-month cards are $15 per person, six-month cards are $25 per person, and one-year library cards are $40 per person.

Library cards are accepted at all 10 Sarasota County Libraries.

Inside the calm interior oasis of the Gulf Gate Library, visitors will discover such amenities as two peaceful reading gardens, a story-time room for children, a large teen center, a tech lab with public access computers and a drive-through “returns” window. WiFi access is available

in all areas of the library and the building is equipped with a “hearing loop” for the hearing impaired.

The library’s digital online library catalog features a wide array of books in print, audio books, videos, magazines, music recordings and other materials (www.sarac. scgov.net.). Homework help, genealogy, career assistance and test preparation help is also available. Aston reported that one of the library’s most popular services is the digital media service “Hoopla.”

Through Hoopla, Aston said, library users can “borrow eight Hoopla checkouts per-person, per-month.” The service offers thousands of movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows that can be enjoyed on computers, tablets, phones and TV’s.

Each month, the library system also offers a wide

selection of free, live and prerecorded programs for all ages.

January’s on-demand offerings include opera, the Mystery Book Lovers’ Club, the Friendship Center’s Road Scholar Program, an Edible Gardening Series, and “Story Time from Space” featuring astronauts reading books to children.

The library is also making plans to join in the 2021 Sarasota County Centennial Celebration. “We’ll do 100 days of programming beginning at the end of March and ending July 1,” Aston said. Events and programs being planned will highlight Sarasota County’s history and cover a range of topics including archaeology, the African American experience in Sarasota County, Sarasota’s Suffragette movement, underwater historical sites, the Gulf, and much more. “Although 2020 has been a challenging year

for our staff and patrons, I’m so appreciative of our library patrons and all the work that our staff, and the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library have done,” she said.

This summer, a new contemporary “book themed” copper sculpture will be unveiled in the library’s front lobby. Designed by internationally acclaimed artists Gus & Lina Ocamposilva, known for their public art installations, the sculpture is a gift from the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library. The sculpture is being made from the original preserved copper roof that graced the 1983 library building. “What a wonderful gift this will be,” said Aston.

The Ocamposilva’s public art sculptures are found in New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, and major cities around the world.

G-2

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE...

S-16

MLB/College Packages FULL BAR

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

JANUARY 2021

27th State Media LLC

31

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE 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 941444-7984 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 stonebaked 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 gluten-free or vegan. Located at 6727 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-388-7504.

Off the Hook Operated and run

by Chef Wes Duval, a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute

of America and master at serving guests the freshest fish possible with a focus on local delicacy delights, eclectic presentations, and legendary desserts. You will enjoy great service and a variety of original dishes he has mastered over his years specializing in seafood. His fusion of fresh fish paired with unique and flavorful creations is divine. All ingredients are hand-picked and complimented by a refined wine selection from vineyards around the world as well as his choice in quality spirits and local craft beers. Off the Hook has become a signature culinary destination, from first sip to last bite. A perfect date night spot or gathering with your foodie friends. .

From Vintage to Modern An extension of your personality

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

John Garner

Roberts Realty

Broker Associate

Diane Shane Broker Associate

941-924-2330

6541 Superior Avenue Gulf GAte BuSineSS DiStrict SArASotA, fl 34231

Working with Sarasota Buyers & Sellers since 1969 • Local Expertise • Proven Track Record • Happy Clients

941.444.7984 onlyeyesoptical.com

Condos, Villas, Single Family Homes & Investments

We are with you every step of the way!

2621 Mall Dr., Sarasota RobertsRealty@comcast.net www.SarasotaCoast.com 1

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GULF GATE Siesta Nails & Spa

Stein Mart

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© Island Visitor Publishing, LLC 2018

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Panera Bread

Bed Bath & Beyond

Ross

Dress for Less

Iberia Bank

Five Below

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

Marshall’s

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Superior Avenue

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Beall’s Outlet

Mall Drive

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Gateway Avenue

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.

Books-A Over 150 businesses make up this district.

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Publix

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Hooters

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 Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m. 6574 Superior Ave., 941-9245800.

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.).

ROBERTS REALTY, Inc. (M-5) 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 941-924-2330 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.

Sun Trust

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

The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flattops, 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 televisions, it’s a great place to catch a game with friends and family.

Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G11): 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.

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. – 941-554-8905.

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

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32

Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

Florida Fish of Siesta Key

Red Snapper

Florida Puffer

Yellowtail

Mangrove Snapper

941.312.0665

Fishing Report

Water World Fishing Report

Captain Brian Boehm Enjoy a fishing charter with CB’s and Captain Brian.

Capt. Rick Grassett, Sarasota CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 941-923-7799 (office)

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with trout Florida in Sarasota Bay and tripletail in Puffer the coastal gulf on flies and DOA Lures, recently. Greg Stepanski, Sailfish from Tampa, fished the coastal Sailfish gulf with me and caught and released his first tripletail on a Spanish fly. Great job! Steve Gibson, of Mackerel Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing, also fished the coastal gulf with me and had good action with Dohlpin “Mahi-Mahi” tripletail landing 2 out of 3 on flies.

My brother, Joe Grassett from Seaford, DE, visited and fished Sarasota Bay a few days with me, recently. His visit coincided with a cold front, which provided some Scoolmaster classic winter trout fishing. With water temperature plummeting

www.siestasand.net

we fished CAL jigs with jerk worms, low and slow, and caught and released numerous quality trout.

Fish the coastal gulf for tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook should also be a good option now. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

Lane Snapper

Couple showing off the impressive Redfish catch.

Flats & dock light fishing have been steady on Quiet Waters trips run out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key. The last cold front made it official - winter is definitely here. The sea trout bite has been dependable over the past few weeks. Redfish have been in skinny water and snook have been sluggish on cold mornings.

Snook

Snook are not the biggest fans of cold fronts. Their priorities change from finding food to getting warm. On cold mornings on the flats, they’ve been in shallow water trying to warm up. Canals with dark bottom and depth have been holding snook, as well. They have been far more active in the afternoons and early in the evening on dock lights.

On dock lights, we’re transitioning to smaller flies. Small clousers and glass minnow patterns have been producing.

Scamp Black Mullet Snook

Redfish

Redfish have been very active in shallow water. We have hooked a few in potholes, but we’ve been hooking most of our redfish in water less than two feet deep. The Aquadream ADL series spoon is producing in shallow water. In potholes, we found success by bouncing soft plastics on jig heads. The MirrODine XL wasn’t a bad option over potholes either.

Red Drum “Redfish”

Tarpon

Seatrout Image IMG_3060a caption-Steve Gibson, owner of Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing in Sarasota, with a tripletail caught and released on a fly while fishing the coastal gulf with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.

Baracuda

Gulf Flounder

Seatrout of all sizes provide some of the most consistent action in the winter. We’ve found them stacked up in deeper sand holes on cold mornings with low tide. Bouncing a soft plastic off the bottom is more effective than a straight retrieve with cold water temperatures. It’s also wise to shorten up to a shorter soft plastic on cold mornings. Later in the day we’ve been able to target larger fish in shallow water and on the edges of potholes with the MirrOdine XL. A long pause after a few twitches with that plug really seems to drive seatrout crazy.

Looking Ahead

Getting a later start on cooler mornings is a prudent decision this time of year. Having the sun up for a couple hours before you get on the water can make a huge difference. If you’re fishing the flats on low tides, key in on the deep sand holes. They won’t all have fish, but the sand holes that do are usually holding many fish. Targeting small sand spots and the ends or edges of larger holes seem to be producing the biggest fish.

Another key to success on colder days is to slow down your retrieve. If you’re moving your bait too quickly, you’re going to miss a lot of fish. Use an Aquadream spoon to cover water in shallow areas where you suspect redfish are holding. Artificial shrimp worked deep and slowly around docks is an excellent way to target snook right now. Keep your eyes on the wading birds and mullet and spend a little extra time working those areas.

Stay Warm!

See you on the water!

Captain Brian Boehm Quiet Waters Fishing Guide at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Sarasota, FL 34242 941-400-6218 https://www.quietwatersfishing.com/

Florida Pompano Jack Crevalle

AmberJack

Spotted Sea Trout

Cobia

Black Drum

Catfish

King King Mackerel Mackerel Blue Marlin

Black Grouper

Sheesphead

Images IMG_3086a & IMG_3091a Joe Grassett, from Seaford, DE, recently had good action catching and releasing trout on CAL jigs with jerk worms while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Tight Lines, Capt. Rick Grassett FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Orvis Outfitter of the Year-2011 Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. www.snookfin-addict.com and www.flyfishingflorida.us E-mail snookfin@aol.com (941) 923-7799 (office)

The gang at CB’s Outfitters celebrates Aledia Tush’s 44th anniversary with a group picture.

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Forecast January 2021

JANUARY 2021

27th State Media LLC

33

Notes from the Island Fishmonger Wahoo it is in 2021!

It has been a year for the history books that’s for sure. Closedowns, masks, economy struggles and a split political country. Our hearts go out to those who have lost someone due to this pandemic. I say out with 2020 and into a new year we go!

Adventure Charters WAHOOOO! Wahoo is a word that we all used to celebrate. I’m actually going to celebrate this New Year’s Eve with a local fish called Wahoo. This will be the perfect to start the year off right.

Wahoo is also called an Ono or Pacific Kingfish.

The Wahoo is found worldwide in tropical warm waters. It can reach up to 100 pounds! The average Wahoo is about 30 pounds and it’s reported that they can live up to 5 or 6 years. It’s back is a brilliant electric blue with bright blue tiger stripes blending into the belly. The Wahoo is on every fisherman’s bucket list as it is one of the fastest fishes in the sea and when hooked it can peel off several feet of fishing line in seconds. It is reported that the Wahoo can swim 45-50 miles per hour…hence its name.

Wahoo are an important game fish caught off southern Florida, Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific and is greatly appreciated in Seared Wahoo special at Big Water Fish Market.

Hawaii where it’s called Ono. The majority of wahoo Uncooked, the meat is soft and melts in your mouth. is caught in Hawaii. However, the Wahoo sold at Big I often wonder why you don’t see Wahoo in a sushi Water Fish Market is primarily caught in the Gulf restaurant but maybe that’s because of its lack of of Mexico. Although the fish is found worldwide in Josiah from Sarasota fishing on a CB’s Boat Rental. availability. Other cooking options would include tropical warm seas, it is not abundant and thus fresh January fishing in Sarasota cork producing a lot of action. searing, poaching or grilling. When grilling, supplies are limited. Typically, the public will have is all about the weather, pure The flats south of Spanish Point marinating will help soften the texture and is a good to shop in a true fish market to find Wahoo. It is very and simple. Angling success are very productive, but any flat rare or unlikely for a grocery store to chain to have compliment to Wahoo’s mild flavor. Do not overcook is determined by the ability to in four to six feet of water with the fish as it can become dry.

Wahoo. adapt to the existing weather grass will hold fish, keep moving Wahoo is a lean protein option and its fat content The Wahoo is a versatile cooking fish with a conditions. Tides will often times until you find them. is lower than a Tuna or a Mackerel. It also has a high delicate texture and mild flavor. Personally, it’s my be very low in the morning.

Creeks and residential canals content of the Omega3 fatty acid that our bodies favorite and I enjoy eating it sashimi style (raw).

Couple that with a northeast are great spots to fish this month. need. It’s a great option for those of us wind and the flats will not have Besides offering protection from who gained the Covid 15 pounds during very much water on them. Water harsh winds, they provide cover quarantine and have made a New Year’s temperatures will be at their for bait, which attracts fish, and Resolution to eat healthier and lose weight. annual low. It is time to change the water is normally a few Wahoo is a great option for that goal. tactics! degrees warmer. A large handWe all hope for a better 2021. We can I spend a lot of my time picked shrimp is a great bait all be safe here in Florida by supporting fishing the area around Siesta for redfish, snook, sheepshead, our local businesses as we are all in this Key in the winter. Both passes, drum, and jacks. Deeper water together. So, let’s wear our masks, get and the surrounding flats will is the key, find a dock or area in plenty of Vitamin C, D & Omega3 to help be productive under ideal a creek with a little more depth our immune systems, get our vaccines, conditions. Weekly fronts will and there should be fish there. support the local economy, and eat lots of stir up the Gulf, bringing cold, Rapala X-Raps are a terrific fish. dirty water in through the artificial bait to use in creeks. passes and up onto the nearby They are deadly on snook and Live well...Eat fish flats. However, the area down jacks, and a lot of water can be Happy New Year! south stays protected, and this covered quickly.

Live Well…Eat Fish!! will result in better fishing.

Local rivers such as the Scott Dolan Extreme low tides will force the Manatee, Braden, and Myakka Big Water Fish Market fish off of the flats and into the will hold snook, jacks, and www.BigWaterFishMarket.com Legendary Siesta Key fisherman “Spider-Man” and Jason & Tom Boyle of channel. This actually makes even bass in January. Fish move 6641 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key SO/NAR Fishing Charters bask in their big haul. Wahoo are hanging to locating them easier. 1/4 ounce up there to keep warm and Spider-Man’s right.

Bass Assassin jigs in New Penny feed. This is a unique fishing and Glow are very productive, experience that is best suited for as is a shrimp free lined with more experienced anglers. a small split shot. Speckled Surf casters will do well off of trout, ladyfish, jack crevelle, and the Siesta Key beaches during pompano will be the primary periods of light winds when the Florida, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sarasota Bay January 2021 catches, but sheepshead, grouper, water is clear. Small pieces of N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' flounder, and bluefish will also live or frozen shrimp fished on a Date Day High Tide High Tide Low Tide Low Tide Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset Phase be found in the deep water. small hook with a bit of weight 1 Fr 12:11a 2.1 3:44p 1.0 9:02a -0.6 7:12p 0.9 7:22a 5:47p 8:21p 9:29a As the tide rises and the day will catch plenty of whiting, 2 Sa 12:59a 2.1 4:07p 1.1 9:42a -0.6 8:19p 0.8 7:22a 5:48p 9:23p 10:12a warms up, fish will move out of along with trout, flounder, 3 Su 1:53a 1.9 4:35p 1.1 10:24a -0.5 9:36p 0.7 7:22a 5:49p 10:25p 10:52a the deep channel and up onto pompano, and other species. Jigs 4 Mo 2:55a 1.7 5:06p 1.2 11:07a -0.3 11:01p 0.6 7:22a 5:49p 11:26p 11:29a the flats to feed. A late Afternoon and silver spoons are effective 5 Tu 4:10a 1.5 5:40p 1.4 11:51a 0.0 7:22a 5:50p 12:04p high tide can offer great fishing artificial baits to use, especially 6 We 5:43a 1.2 6:17p 1.5 12:32a 0.4 12:34p 0.3 7:22a 5:51p 12:28a 12:40p 3rd for speckled trout, with jigs and when surface activity is seen, 7 Th 7:36a 1.0 6:58p 1.6 2:00a 0.1 1:16p 0.6 7:23a 5:51p 1:30a 1:16p live shrimp under a popping this indicates feeding fish.

941-371-1390

January 2021 TIDE CHART

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.

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Fr

9:35a

1.0

7:41p

1.8

3:19a -0.2

1:55p

0.7

7:23a

5:52p

2:35a

1:57p

9

Sa

11:22a

1.0

8:27p

2.0

4:27a -0.5

2:30p

0.9

7:23a

5:53p

3:41a

2:41p

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Su

9:14p

2.1

5:26a -0.7

7:23a

5:54p

4:48a

3:32p

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10:02p

2.2

6:19a -0.9

7:23a

5:55p

5:55a

4:28p

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Tu

10:50p

2.2

7:05a -0.9

7:23a

5:55p

6:58a

5:29p

13

We

11:38p

2.1

7:48a -0.9

7:23a

5:56p

7:54a

6:33p

14

Th

3:14p

1.0

8:26a -0.7

6:40p

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

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34

Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 41 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 39

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 RESIDENCE 8230 SANDERLING ROAD $5,400,000 Welcome to the enchanting world of Paradis Azur, a spectacular 2-acre Gulf front estate in the exclusive Sanderling Club on Siesta Key. Arguably the most beautiful vistas in all of Sarasota, with 189’ of coveted, pristine beachfront where you’ll experience incredible, blazing sunsets over azure waters within the lush, private surroundings. Focused on the beach and tranquil seascape, this expansive home with over 6, 900 square feet LOWEST PRICED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE 5252 WINDING WAY, $500,000 The home is flush with features. Hand glazed tile in the bathrooms, kitchen and den. Pecky Cypress walls throughout which naturally repels insects and termites.

The kitchen has a commercial Lang range with French plates, Meile and Viking

appliances fill out the rest, with additional features such as a hammered copper sink, carbon fiber articulating faucet and more.

A large coral fireplace with an outdoor built-in grill. Skylights throughout. 2 wrap-around lanais. Home has handmade stained glass windows in several rooms from the artist that renovated the home.

Every closet and bathroom cabinet are fully lined with cedar. Additional features

of living space was designed for entertaining.

Offering 10’ ceilings and honed travertine throughout, the bright entry leads to the living and family rooms which overlook the beach. The large island kitchen features a Viking range, double Sub-Zero Refrigerator and walk-in pantry. Also, a second office and laundry, kid’s loft, game room, bar and wine cellar, grilling cabana, pool bath and extra guest room. A guest wing offers two large bedrooms and bath. Upstairs, the Gulf front master bedroom suite includes a luxurious bath, office, exercise room, large covered balcony, coffee/wine bar, walk-in closets,

include a very large laundry room with a big 2-sided utility sink, lots of storage cabinets throughout the home, fenced yard, large double headed step-down shower, a den large enough to use as an office or bedroom with a large lighted and cedar-lined display cabinet and several pocket doors and windows.

Courtesy of Transparent Realty

HIGHEST PRICED CONDO 4750 OCEAN BOULEVARD, #301 $4,750,000 Introducing Oceane. Now complete and ready to move in for Season! 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 800sf of outdoor terrace space, and an unheard of

LOWEST PRICED CONDO 6711 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD, #14 $295,000 This amazing modern turnkey furnished condo just one block from Point of Rocks and Crescent Beach has been totally remodeled and is perfect for the weekend getaway or your very own winter home. This home features a kitchen with modern cabinetry, stainless

laundry room and storage. Enjoy balmy Gulf breezes relaxing in the heated pool. One of few Sanderling properties which allow for a guest house in addition to the main house.

Dock on the lagoon for non-motorized water sports. The Sanderling Club is a Gulf-to-Bay guard-gated community with unrivaled privacy, unique architecture, tennis courts, cabanas, clubhouse and boat dockage with direct bay access.

Courtesy of Premier Sotheby’s

steel appliances, upgraded quartz countertops and a custom butcher block island. The modern weathered wood tile floors throughout compliments this condo’s perfect coastal modern feel along with the fully renovated modern bathroom complete with new tile and suspended vanity sink. Designer quality modern Minka Aire fans and LED recessed lighting are in every room.

70+ feet of width per residence facing directly onto the Gulf of Mexico, these are the views of imagination. 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.

Courtesy of Michael Saunders

Both bedrooms have plenty of room and large closets for all your stuff. The AC and ductwork were recently replaced.

Nightlife and all the essentials are just down the street, including the Crescent Grocery, Captain Curt’s and the Daiquiri Deck. The 1 week rental policy offers the opportunity to get a return on your investment while you are away.

Courtesy of Waterside Realty

We have Buyers! Listings Needed!

Here We Come

SETH: 941. 342. SOLD AL: 941. 479. 1175

Housing inventory is h i s t o r i c a l l y l o w. I f y o u a r e considering selling your h o m e , c a l l t h e We s t e r b e r g Group to find out our formula for getting properties SOLD!

Grateful To live and work in paradise!

Thankful To everyone who puts trust in our team.

Blessed To love what we do everyday.

Al Nemore & Seth Westerberg

With over 30 deals closed in 2020, our team is grateful to have helped so many during this challenging year. Our clients have benefited by having two seasoned professionals working on their behalf. Let us do the same for you in 2021!

NMLS #1783476

Marty Remillard NMLS#343653

No Lender Fees 941. 223.9416

highdefinitionmortgage.com

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JANUARY 2021

27th State Media LLC

35

Kesslak

Le ng a S Di n pe

195 Vista Hermosa Circle, Unit#9-A Sarasota, Florida

Wonderfully remodeled Freestanding Vista Hermosa Villa just a short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach.

You will fall in love with this 2-bedroom, 2-bath villa. Two week rentals make this a very attractive property for a investor or just picking up some extra income when you are not enjoying the property for yourself. Custom solid wood cabinets in the kitchen with granite counters & upgraded stainless steel appliances. Designer bathrooms boasting tumbled marble & granite. Smooth ceilings with custom lighting. Designer tile & carpet throughout.

Nothing has been spared. New A/C in 2017 and also a recently installed tankless water heater. The association replaced the roof in 2016. You are just a short walk to dining & nightlife. This villa is being sold turnkey furnished (with some exclusions).

Already booked for 2021 Season.

$399,000

!

D OL

S

322 Island Circle Sarasota, Florida

Beaches, Boating & Bistros!! Live the island lifestyle in this spacious 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom house located on desirable Palm Island when rented was grossing approx. $60k in rental income. Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master bedroom and master bathroom. This house boasts a 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. Privacy abounds with a lovely tropical view across the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level.

This house is located on Palm Island which is a Island on a Island and is a sort walk to World Famous Siesta Beach(Beach Access 10) and Siesta Village with all its excitement and wonderful dining. This is the Perfect Home or Investment property for the discerning buyer.

$857,000

!

D OL

S

803 Paradise Way Sarasota, Florida

This Fully Renovated Siesta Isles Home is located on the Grand Canal at the intersection of the canal with 205 ft of seawall on Excellent Boating water. When you step into the home you are greeted by unobstructed water views with the Clearview Non-Vertical Support Pool Cage. Unbelievable Chefs Kitchen with 16 foot Quartzite all-natural stone counter. Master Bath has Multiple Shower Heads & Rain Shower. All bath counter tops are Quartzite all natural stone. The lighting throughout interior and exterior of the home is new, as is the electric main service & sub panel. Lot is freshly landscaped with new Paver driveway & decking with outdoor low voltage lighting. Lovely Pebble Tec Mediterranean Blue Pool surface graces the saltwater pool with a new 130k BTU pool heater for those cooler months. The huge fenced yard includes a secluded dog run. Just a short walk to #1 Siesta Beach’s soothing white sand & sparkling emerald waters.

$1,595,000

458 Island Circle Sarasota, Florida

Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island (a Island on a Island) just a few minutes walk to Siesta Beach. You will fall in love with this 3,366 square foot 4 bedroom/3.5 bathroom Key West style home. Chill in the Mangrove shaded yard around the Fire Pit. This incredibly light & bright home features gleaming hardwood floors throughout the home, arched walls, crown molding. Glazed wood cabinetry in kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gorgeous custom granite counters & designer tile backsplash. Upstairs is a large master bedroom suite with tray ceiling & balcony with lovely water views, 2 additional oversized bedrooms and bath. The en-suite 4th bedroom is located on a separate, private level, ideal for a home office or guests. Relax on the multiple screened-in lanais overlooking the private backyard with heated swimming pool. Screened pool area on the canal with a boat lift & dock.

$1,315,000

1122 Horizon View Drive, Siesta Key, Florida DEEDED BEACH ACCESS!! Your feet will be in the Gulf of Mexico in 60 seconds!!! This immaculate pool home features large rooms and volume ceilings.

Lovely oak floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 Bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms along with the lower level bonus area for generational living or guests. The huge bonus area downstairs would be perfect for storage, workout center, hobby room or workshop.

The oversized garage could handle your cars, boat, jet skis, kayaks & bikes. Extensive decks for enjoying your Island Paradise abound!! You are walking distance to renowned local dining and a marina. In addition to all that, next door is Turtle Beach Park with kayak and boat launch facilities. This is one of the closest properties to the beach without having the direct beachfront price on a street of multi million dollar properties. A truly unique find!!

$929,000

36

Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

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Hotel opposition

JANUARY 2021

37

Continued from page 1

On December 2nd, Ramirez said the proposal is “just going to open up the floodgates on mega hotels.”

“I think you’re going to kill that corner with traffic and pedestrians,” Siesta resident Margaret Jean Cannon added on December 2nd, referring to the intersection of Midnight Pass Road and Old Stickney Point Road.

If any county commissioner was listening to the December 2nd discussion, Richard Oberdorf told Bailey and Medred, Oberdorf wanted to assert, “There’s too much density on this island. The residents don’t want more density.”

Along with the parking garage and the hotel, Kompothecras’ team has proposed an amendment to the county’s Future Land Use Policy 2.9.1, which would double the density for hotels in what Kompothecras calls the “South Bridge Area” of Siesta Key, referencing the drawbridge on Stickney Point Road.

Instead of a hotel room counting as one-half a dwelling unit, it would count as one-fourth in the South Bridge Area.

A companion text amendment would modify Section 124-305 of the county’s Unified Development Code, which contains all the zoning and land development regulations.

“It’s somewhat unusual for residential density to be applied to hotel rooms,” Bailey pointed out during the December 2nd workshop. “The City of Sarasota does not do that,” nor do most other jurisdictions, he added.

During the December 15th workshop, resident Mark Spiegel, leader of an organization called the Siesta Key Coalition — which was organized in early summer to try to fight plans for a 170-room hotel proposed on four parcels between Calle Miramar and Beach Road — asked how many floors would be needed for the hotel if the project team did not seek the extra density.

“It depends on the design,” Bailey replied, “but three or four stories, probably.”

“Did Dr. Gary ever consider actually submitting a plan that complies with the [county’s Future Land Use policy for the barrier islands]?” Spiegel asked.

“An economic analysis was done with consultants from the hospitality industry,” Bailey said. Such a project was “not financially feasible.”

Coalition

27th State Media LLC

Proposed Stickney Point Parking Garage

Aerial view of the location of the proposed hotel and parking garage.

Facets of the Kompothecras plans

During the workshops, Medred explained that the hotel has been designed to stand 83 feet above base flood elevation, which references Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rules regarding building in flood zones. The garage has been planned to be 54 feet above base flood elevation. On the ground floor of the garage, “a minimum of 6,900 square feet” of commercial space would be provided, he added.

The project team also must gain county approval for the proposed shorter street setbacks for the parking garage, Medred said.

The architect has designed the garage to be set back 6.5 feet from Old Stickney Point Road and 8 feet from Stickney Point Road. That allows for 203 spaces within the facility, Medred noted, with 103 of those expected to be available to the general public.

Seventy-two of the garage spaces will be dedicated to hotel guests, Medred added, with 20 set aside for the retail shops.

During the December 15th workshop, Mason Tush, whose family owns CB’s Saltwater Outfitters and the site of the Stickney Point Road Daiquiri Deck, asked why the

proposal calls for the extra spaces. If the project team built a structure with just enough spaces for the hotel and shops, Tush said, “You might only need two floors. … Why should we … support a garage that’s five stories high that’s going to tower over the surrounding area when you don’t need the extra parking?”

When the team began working on the proposal, Medred replied, “There was a lot of input that we received about needing additional parking out on Siesta Key. That was kind of the mindset we had.”

Medred added, “We actually can be an asset to those businesses on Old Stickney Point Road …”

“In fairness,” Tush told Medred, “I built the Daiquiri Deck to [County Code stipulations],” including providing the required patron parking spaces. “The businesses don’t really need the extra parking,” he added, because of the two paid parking lots on Old Stickney Point Road.

Medred also has explained that, given the necessary county staff work before the proposal will come before the county’s Planning Commission and then the County Commission, “We’re over a year before we can even think about starting any kind of construction.” In fact, he added, an 18-month-long timeline would be more likely.

Continued from page 4

would not be unrealistic to expect that, in the future, tourists might have very little space in which to spread out on Siesta’s beach.

(Siesta Promenade is the mixed-use development that the County Commission approved in December 2018 for an approximately 25-acre site in the northwest quadrant of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.)

Moreover, Spiegel reminded the SKA members, the proposal for the 170-room hotel includes an application to amend county zoning regulations to eliminate any density consideration for hotels on all county barrier islands. The current SKOD rules call for each hotel room without a kitchen to be counted as half-a-dwelling unit.

Kompothecras’ has his own proposal. It calls for doubling the density regulation for just the “South Bridge Area” of Stickney Point Road and Old Stickney Point Road.

A third hotel project for which a preliminary application has been submitted to county staff calls for

the redevelopment of the Siesta Key Beach Resort Hotel and Suites in Siesta Village from 55 rooms to 170. However, that proposal says the new hotel would not exceed the 35-foot height allowed in Siesta’s Commercial General and Commercial Intensive zoning districts.

“I’m calling for the Board of Commissioners to really, maybe step back … and consider an integrated, comprehensive assessment” of all three hotel proposals, Spiegel added, instead of considering them independently.

“We strongly favor economic growth on Siesta Key,” Spiegel stressed, “but not at the cost of so many adverse consequences. … We very much don’t want to kill the golden goose.”

He noted that the Coalition has about 17 homeowner associations as members, representing about 8,500 households. The organization is working with the SKA and the Siesta Key Condominium Council, as well.

The Siesta Key Community Plan,

he said, recognized the views of the thousands of people “that love Siesta Key and call it their home.”

The county commissioners need to listen to the residents now, he added, just as the commissioners did in the late 1990s.

The Coalition members are seeking suggestions about how best to make their case to the County Commission, Spiegel said.

The county commissioners are focused on economic growth, he continued. “That’s going to be on their mind.” The Coalition members cannot be “those emotional [people in] red shirts,” sitting in the Commission Chambers at the County Administration Center in downtown Sarasota, he emphasized, when the hotel applications are the focus of public hearings. “We have to be objective and unemotional.”

People who are well educated about the various facets of the proposed hotel projects will need to make it clear that they are talking about all Siesta Key homeowners, Spiegel said. “We’ve

got to speak as one voice …”

Anyone with ideas to propose may contact the Coalition at SKCoalition@gmail.com or the SKA at info@siestakeyassociation.com.

Explaining the county’s review process for the hotels

Last week, in an email exchange with a Siesta resident, Sarasota County’s Planning Division manager, Todd Dary, explained how staff will review the island hotel proposals in light of the precautions that must be taken because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working with applicants to ensure they have the most impactful neighborhood workshop given the current environment and continue to learn and improve,” Dary began.

Second, he noted, no formal review of an application will begin until after county staff has received the minutes and recordings of the Neighborhood Workshops conducted in accord with county regulations.

As of the deadline for this

issue of the Siesta Sand, only the Gary Kompothecras hotel and parking garage applications had been submitted to the Planning and Development Services Department.

The petitions in those applications “are under sufficiency review … for completeness,” Dary continued in his December 9th email. “Formal review will occur after all information required or requested is received,” he added.

Typically, over the years, it has been found county staff members representing each department or division involved in landdevelopment issues will ask for details that are missing and must be conveyed before they will sign off on an application.

Specific concerns or any critique a person would like to offer about a project “should be provided to Planner@scgov.net and will be made part of the correspondence to be provided to the Planning Commission and the County Commission,” Dary pointed out in the email.

38

Siesta Sand

JANUARY 2021

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

THE TERRACE – Unparalleled Gulf and Village Views!

The Terrace Beach condominiums afford spectacular 360-degree views – of the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass and Lido Key, downtown Sarasota, and Siesta Village. Built in 1970 and designed by renowned architect Frank Folsom Smith, the Terrace is the ideal retreat.

Located directly on the beach at the north end of Siesta Key, walk out the luxury high-rise building onto the world-famous white sand beaches of Siesta.

Alternatively, walk only one block to fun eclectic Siesta Village with its myriad of shops, restaurant choices ranging from casual eats to elegant dining, and busy nightlife including live music and dancing.

The Terrace units, accessed by elevators, are spread over seventeen floors. The sizes of units vary considerably ranging from studios measuring

522 square feet; 1 bedroom/1 bath units from 698 – nearly 1000 square feet; 2 bedroom/2 bath units from 1187 square feet; and 3 bedroom/3 bath units beginning at 1677 to nearly 2000 square feet. Key Solutions Real Estate Group realtor Bob Ruiz reports all units have tremendous balconies - some of the ny as five separate outdoor living spaces. Most units have a wall of windows/sliding glass doors which brings the outdoor in and, when open, add wonderful extra living space.

Terrace amenities include a large, heated salt-water pool overlooking the beach and Gulf, game room, fitness room, community room, beautifully and recently redecorated lobby, secured entry, storage, assigned covered parking, and on-site management. Small pets are permitted.

Ruiz shares that the complex is

exceptionally well maintained.

Management and a maintenance crew ensure the stellar condition of the building and grounds.

Owners and tenants alike enjoy carefree living in a secure, impeccable environment. Units may be rented with a two-month minimum and command top dollar on Siesta Key. At present, there is one unit for sale at the Terrace.

The current offering is a 3 bedroom/3 bath unit measuring 1677 square feet. Five over-sized balconies make for an additional 677 square feet of fabulous outdoor living space. Key Solutions realtor Holly Holton remarks, “The view from this unit is absolutely spectacular!”

The unit is directly beach front with five large balconies that provide tremendous outdoor living and entertaining space.

The open floor plan includes three master suites – all private and separated from each other.

The wood floors, white decor, and walls of window/sliding glass doors make for a light and bright interior. This impeccable unit shows beautifully. It is listed for $2,799,000. Holly anticipates two additional units will be available in the near future - a 1 bedroom/1 bath unit and a three-bedroom, 2 1⁄2 bath unit.

Condos are rarely available at the Terrace. The last two units to sell were in March of 2018. Back then an 11th floor 2 bedroom/2 bath unit sold for $955,000 and a 1st floor 3 bedroom/3 bath condo sold for $1,900,000.

To learn more about The Terrace and the units currently available, contact Bob Ruiz, Key Solutions Real Estate Group, at 941-5443299 or RobertRuizRR@aol.com

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Roundabout elected to his first term, in November 2014, staff of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began talking about plans to improve the Beach Road/Midnight Pass Road intersection. At that time — in early to mid2015 — the overwhelming response among Siesta Key residents was opposition to a roundabout, Maio continued.

“That [viewpoint] seems to have moved a bit.”

He did ask Anderson about comments in an email the commissioners and Anderson received earlier that day from Siesta Key Association (SKA) President Catherine Luckner. Among those was what Maio characterized as “a pretty strong concern about how the pedestrian and bike traffic will move through this roundabout.”

Sidewalks will be connected outside the roundabout, Anderson replied; those will be “a few car lengths” from the structure.

In regard to bicyclists: Anderson explained that they will be directed away from the traffic flow in the roundabout, “so that they don’t actually interface with the vehicles in the roundabout.”

Further, Anderson noted, the design could incorporate a special type of pedestrian crossing signal, called a HAWK system, which persons activate.

Those signals will stop traffic outside the roundabout, he added.

Maio also asked for confirmation about what he called the “standard engineering theory” regarding roundabouts — that “the T-bone accidents at speed, that kill people, are dramatically reduced.”

Anderson responded that that is correct.

Commissioner Christian Ziegler asked whether a roundabout would in any way impede the operations of the firefighters-paramedics at Fire Station No. 13, which is located near the Beach Road/Midnight Pass Road intersection, or the Siesta Key Breeze trolley.

All drivers tend to stop when

JANUARY 2021

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Continued on page 1

Rendering of signalized roundabout

they see a fire truck with lights on, Anderson told Ziegler, so he did not anticipate any problems. As for the trolley: Anderson explained, “The roundabout will be designed to handle all types of vehicles.”

Ziegler also asked about the potential of the roundabout design to incorporate other safety features, indicating that he would like to ensure that every feasible step is taken in the design to enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

“We will evaluate every option that’s possible there and rule them out one by one as the design moves forward,” Anderson said. FDOT has committed to paying for the construction, he continued, “as long as [the design] is reasonable …”

From what he had heard, Anderson told the commissioners, traffic backs up at times all the way from the Stickney Point Road drawbridge to the intersection of Beach Road and Midnight Pass Road. “If that’s the case,” he added, “there’s going to be gridlock regardless of what the intersection improvement is.

We can make adjustments in the design,” he pointed out, “for anything that we might feel is appropriate to consider.”

The county must complete the roundabout design by

October 2021 for delivery to FDOT, Anderson said. That expense is expected to be about $360,000.

Then FDOT would construct the roundabout starting in the spring of 2022, in conjunction with its plans to resurface Midnight Pass Road from the Stickney Point Road intersection to Shadow Lawn Way. Anderson also discussed an online county survey that was available to the public from October 5th -31st.

Of the 552 responses, 32.07% wanted no change at the intersection of Midnight Pass and Beach roads; 33.15% wanted a roundabout; and 29.89% sought an improved signalized intersection.

The majority of the respondents — 68.55% —

Sarasota real estate update MOVE-IN READY

live on Siesta Key, according to a graph he showed the commissioners.

His recommendation, Anderson told the commissioners, “is that we move forward with the roundabout.

There is a substantial amount of public support.” Still, he acknowledged, “There’s not an overwhelming amount of public support.”

Responses to the board decision

Responding to a request for comment, Mason Tush, chair of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, told the SNL in an email, “After reviewing the two options proposed for that intersection (one being the roundabout and a second option of a new traffic signal that would remove the ‘free

flowing’ right turn lanes), the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors supported the roundabout.”

Noting that the Siesta Key Condominium Council (SKCC) represents 95 complexes on the island, the organization’s vice president, Diane Erne, wrote in an email: “I am sorry to hear that, despite the County survey results (61.96% of Everyone and 67.5% of Siesta) indicating the public’s lack of support for a roundabout on Beach and Midnight Pass Road, the County Commission decided they knew best and approved the roundabout.”

She added, “Given the pressure on the County budget at this time, I can only hope that more pressing Siesta Key issues related to traffic congestion, bike and pedestrian safety are fully considered.”

During the December 9th SKA meeting, SKA President Luckner pointed out that the nonprofit “got lots of compliments” from the commissioners for encouraging people to participate in the survey.

What she emphasized in her December 8th email to the commissioners, she continued, “was that we want people to be safe,” as the island has so many people who walk and use bicycles, “and that is not a typical roundabout-friendly area” at the intersection of Beach Road and Midnight Pass Road. Still, she expressed optimism that the final design would allay the SKA’s concerns.

Let me help you make Siesta Key your home Who is Gina? She is a full-time realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.

She is also a proud member of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. Her fondness for Siesta Key started at the early age of 8 when her family of 6 trekked down here from the Midwest.

Gina’s story: What began as a family affair, so to speak, was our cherished drives in a station wagon down to Siesta Key. I’ll always remember the friendships

we made and the family time shared, centered around the white sand beach, pristine and empty of shells. My fondest memory is of my beloved father going fishing with me by the Point of Rocks in Siesta Key. Why Gina? So, you ask me what makes me different than maybe another realtor? It is my experiences over all those years with Siesta Key, Sarasota, and the surrounding areas. I made the full-time move here a few years ago. I understand the stresses

one has in moving from out of state to be in the Florida sunshine.

Yes, this could be you, if you dare.

Are you tired of the cold? Would you like change in your life? Do you have fond memories Siesta Key or other surrounding areas? I would love, love, love to help you fulfill your dreams.

To reach me, please call or text 941-780-7323 or email ginalovesrq@gmail.com. I would love to help you or answer questions about the market or areas of interest.

Gina Love

RELATIONSHIPS A PERSONAL TOUCH TO EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE.

UNE RELATION

for life

pour la vie

SO

BEACHFRONT

LD

TEAM DUNN

!

11-Year Recipients of the 5780 Midnight Pass Rd, #102 | Gulf & Bay Club

2BR | 2BA | 1,361 SF | $725,000 | MLS# A4464913

DOWNTOWN & BAY VIEWS

6480 Midnight Pass Rd, #615 | Siesta Breakers

2BR | 2BA | 1,265 SF | $875,000 | MLS# A4482092

WATERFRONT VIEWS – TURNKEY FURNISHED

FURNISHED

SO

LD

!

Maurice Menager Lin Dunn REALTOR®

REALTOR®, SRES, LSS, LSE

941.238.8119

941.809.2154

TeamDunn.michaelsaunders.com 1990 Main St, #7 | Cityscape at Courthouse Centre 2BR | 2.5BA | 1,293 SF | $599,000 | MLS# A4481614

8897 Midnight Pass Rd, #504 | Sunrise Cove

1BR | 1BA | 903 SF | $399,000 | MLS# A4479965

5892 Driftwood Pl, #5892 | Baywood Colony

2BR | 2BA | 1,155 SF | $249,000 | MLS# A4474413

Call Team Dunn to see one of these extraordinary homes or discuss your real estate goals.

5100 Ocean Blvd | Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941.349.3444

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Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

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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Green Magic Cleaning Service

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We don’t cut corners, we dust them.

A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

• Landings Carriagehouse, $2,500 per month. Call Jim 941-539-0774.

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

• Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms.

Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500

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

AUTOMOTIVE DELIVERY

(941) 780-4248

MEDICAL

CONTRACTORS • 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 • DRIVER for YOUR vehicle, cargo and pets. Sarasota/Siesta their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com Lic#CGC060852.

Key/Port Charlotte area to MICHIGAN ONLY. Offering services that carriers/haulers are unable to provide. Background check.

Bonded. Insured. Chauffeur’s license. Retired law enforcement officer. 941-323-3945 or 313-434-2070 or www.yhvaletdriving.com

Board-Certified dermatologist skin CanCer • laser • Botox and Hair/nail disorders

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Offering Transportation and Companionship to.... * Doctor Appointments * Beauty Salon Appointments * Shopping and more!

Sarasota to Tampa Airport $ 89 each way

Airport Shuttle Limo/Taxi

Please call for complimentary interview:

Patricia Newman from 9am-5pm

941-923-4301

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Day Drinking Club

HELENE M. HYLAND

941.735.4732

REALTOR®

SiestaKeyEddie@gmail.com

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

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

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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

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Call or e-mail sarasotabruce1@housewatchsrq.com for quotes and references Serving SaraSota and Surrounding areaS Since 1979

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BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS CONTINUED • 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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BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (Book online through the Vagaro app) 2116 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota • HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-4 MEL: 941-567-7075 • JOSÉ: 941-567-8108

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HOMES FOR SALE • THE POINTE - Lovely well maintained fourth f loor 2/2. Water views from every room. Spacious lanai span ning across the unit overlooks Little Sarasota Bay and the ICW. Inside washer/dryer closet and abundant closet space. Furnished - just bring your clothing and personal items and you can have the best of everything. Gated communit y with every amenit y. MLS# A4470344 $429,000.00. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941- 400- 4186.

SUMMER COVE - Enjoy the finest of Siesta Key in this fully upg raded 3 bedroom, 2½ bath luxury condo. A light and bright end unit with abundant windows and doors (all with impact glass built to hurricane code), enter the unit from your private elevator into a large lovely foyer. Enjoy natural light on 3 sides; 9’ ceilings; a gourmet kitchen with stain less appliances, wood cabinets, g ranite counter-tops, and break fast bar, this unit offers incredible island living. MLS #A4469222 $975,000.

Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz, Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941- 400- 4186.

THE FINEST OF SIESTA KEY fully upg raded 3 bedroom, 2½ bath luxury condo. A light and bright end unit with abundant windows and doors (all with impact glass built to hurricane code), enter the unit from your private elevator into a large lovely foyer.

Enjoy natural light on 3 sides; 9’ ceilings; a gourmet kitchen with stain less appliances, wood cabinets, g ranite counter-tops, and break fast bar, this unit offers incredible island living. 1640 Summerhouse Lane, #30, Sarasota, FL 34242, MLS# A4469222, $975,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255 LUXURIOUS BEACHFRONT CONDO In the prestigious communit y, Crescent Siesta Key. This turn key furnished unit with a large West facing covered lanai, featuring an OUTDOOR KITCHEN, lives like a home on the beach. Highly sought after location, as it is one of on ly four units in the complex to allow direct access from the private lanai to the beautiful court yard pool area. Averaging near six fig ure g ross an nual RENTAL INCOME, this unit provides the owner both a resort lifest yle and a sound investment. Perfectly located within walking distance to the restaurants and shops of South Siesta Village and Siesta Key Marina. 6512 Midnight Pass Road, #206, Sarasota, FL 34242 , MLS# A4478581, $1,379,000. Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255

for an investor or just picking up some ext ra income when you are not enjoying the propert y for yourself. Custom solid wood cabinets in the kitchen with g ranite counters & upg raded stain less steel appliances. Desig ner bath rooms boasting tumbled marble & g ranite. Smooth ceilings with custom lighting. Desig ner tile & carpet th roughout.

Nothing has been spared. New A/C in 2017 and also a recently installed tan k-less water heater. The association replaced the roof in 2016. You are just a short walk to dining & nightlife. This villa is being sold turn key furnished (with some exclusions).

Already booked for 2021 Season. Dan Miller, Re/ Max Tropical Sands, 941-376-7442.

Wonder ful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island (an island on an island) just a short walk to Siesta Beach. 458 ISLAND CIRCLE, $1,315,000. You will fall in love with this 3,366 square foot 4 bedroom/3.5 bath room Chill in the Mang rove shaded yard around the fire pit. This incredibly light & bright home features gleaming hardwood f loors th roughout the home, arched walls, crown molding. Glazed wood cabinet ry in kitchen with stain less steel appliances, gorgeous custom g ranite counters & desig ner tile backsplash.

Separate eating area and a spacious break fast bar for casual gathering along with a separate dining room . Upstairs is a large master bedroom suite with t ray ceiling & balcony with lovely water views, 2 additional oversized bedrooms and bath. The ensuite 4th bedroom is located on a separate, private level, ideal for a home office or g uests. Relax on the multiple screened-in lanais overlooking the private backyard with heated swimming pool. Screened pool area off the main living area on the canal with a boat lift & dock. You can step out of your back yard onto your boat & head off to exciting watersports and the best fishing Southwest Florida has to offer.

Palm Island is an Island on Siesta Key. It is a very short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach just over the Palm Island Bridge at Beach Access 10, while also close to the World Class Dining & Night life of Siesta Village. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands, 941-376-7442.

SURROUNDED BY WATER ON THREE SIDES The POINTE affords incomparable views. From this lovely t wo bedroom, t wo bath condo at the southern most end of Siesta Key you will wake to awe-inspiring sun rises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. This impeccable unit has been beautifully renovated from f loor to ceiling to include diagonally inset tile f looring th roughout, solid-wood cabinets with g ranite counter-tops and stain less appliances in the open kitchen, and renovated baths. 9393 Midnight Pass Road, #205, Sarasota, FL 34242, MLS# A4472542 , $495,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255 GULF-FRONT VIE WS The location is second to none, directly on the beach and just steps away from the heart of the village. Enjoy all the restaurants, boutiques, markets, spas, and nightlife within t wo blocks. This fabulous beach front corner unit has five oversized balconies with stun ning sunsets. The building recently underwent major renovations; plumbing, AC, generator, well, exterior concrete restoration, new fences, new ent ry securit y, interiors updated in the lobby, lounge, fit ness/game area, and elevators. 9393 Midnight Pass Road, #P1, Sarasota, FL 34242, MLS# A4458168, $625,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255 Beaches, Boat ing & Bist ros!! Live the island lifest yle in this spacious 4 bedroom, 4 bath room house located on desirable Palm Island when rented was g rossing approx. $60k in rental income. Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master bedroom and master bath room. This house boasts a 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. Privacy abounds with a lovely t ropical view across the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level. This house is located on Palm Island which is an island on an island and is a sort walk to World Famous Siesta Beach(Beach Access 10) and Siesta Village with all its excitement and wonderful dining. This is the Perfect Home or Investment propert y for the discerning buyer. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands, 941-376-7442.

WONDERFULLY REMODELED FREESTANDING VISTA HERMOSA VILLA, $399,000, 195 Vista Hermosa Circle, Unit#9-A, Sarasota, Florida. Just a short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach. You will fall in love with this 2-bedroom, 2-bath villa. Two week rentals make this a very att ractive propert y

heart of Sarasota. Situated on a quiet dead-end st reet, paradise awaits with it’s beautiful landscaping and serene setting. The spacious living space has vaulted ceilings and con nects to the gorgeous screened lanai. The entire home has been well maintained with newer roof, A/C and appliances. 3 beds | 2.5 baths | 2 car garage, 4017 Olive Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231, MLS # A4486200 $319,000. Keller Williams on the Water presented by the Westerberg Group, Call Seth 941.342.7653 or email sethw@kw.com GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERT Y! 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa located just a few miles to #1 rated Siesta Key Beach! This g round f loor villa has large bedrooms, a spacious living room with separate dining space, plus a covered Florida room. Ample storage is found in the large closets, pant ry closet and separate laundry room. Fresh paint th roughout and recessed lighting makes for a bright living space. Set in a fantastic communit y with a low HOA, yet you get a multitude of amenities. The large communit y pool has a peaceful setting and is the perfect place to soak in some rays. You also get use of the large clubhouse, which houses a kitchen, gathering spaces, fit ness center and billiard room.

Great rental income, on ly $140,000, 2782 Woodgate Lane Unit #16, MLS# A44080339, KW on the Water presented by The Westerberg Group, Call Seth 941.342.7653 or email sethw@kw.com RARE WATERFRONT HOME FOR SALE: It’s time to LOVE where you live in this divine mid-century modern dwelling, just steps to the purest white sand you’ll ever find! With deep boating water, you can be enjoying the rays on Sarasota Bay in just minutes.

Spacious and airy, the open concept & split f loor plan lives like a dream and is perfect for entertaining with whole home audio in every room. The amazing Chef’s Kitchen is just what you are looking for, with top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinet ry, large island, and layered lighting. Desig ned specifically to feature roomy work zones for prep, clean up, and storage. Architectural details and custom millwork make this space the centerpiece of the home. Other custom features include plantation shutters on every window, built-in entertain ment center in the living room, and pocketing sliding glass doors.

The bedrooms are all generously sized, boast large closets, and each has their own sense of privacy.

An expansive lanai overlooks the Grand Canal and offers a beautiful place to relax while enjoying those amazing sunsets. The home has been wellmaintained and beautifully updated th roughout, most recently with fresh exterior paint, epoxy f loors in the garage, and a new driveway. Set on an ext ra-large lot with beautiful live oaks, several fruit t rees, and a large banyan. This quiet neighborhood of Siesta Isles is deed rest ricted, and makes for the perfect peaceful and private ret reat. Check out the virtual tour, and call for a private showing and full list of features! 5450 Shadow Lane, MLS # MLS# A4478851 KW on the Water presented by The Westerberg Group, Call Seth 941.342.7653 or email sethw@ kw.com

Siesta Cove Pa radise: Island Life is easy in the impressive, newly remodeled, generously spacious home located in an exclusive, family-friendly communit y of Siesta Cove. This 4-bedroom, 4 full bath home provides the perfect backdrop for entertaining & family gatherings. Plent y of natural light f lows th roughout the home’s open, airy layout.

It’s beautiful coastal finishes, desig n, & t ranquil color scheme, makes this home a perfect beach ret reat!

French doors lead out from the living area, den & master suite to a large, paved lanai that st retches the entire back of the home. Enjoy the private, t ropical oasis in the back that includes a resort-st yle Lagoon Pool with integ ral spa. MLS# A4478244 $1,395,000 RE/MAX Alliance Group, Wendy & Joe Kesslak Joe:941-321-8585 Wendy:941-321-7484

Advertise Your Home For Sale 941-312-0665

The Landings Property

FOR RENT Coach House 3 bedrooms 2 baths 2nd Floor corner unit close to Tennis Club Furnished

Looking for 1-year lease or more $3,500 per month (security deposit required) Peaceful Ga rden Oasis: This adorable home is on ly 10 mins to Siesta Key and cent rally located in the

For more info email wakeme45@aol.com or call 847-630-5828

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941.312.0665

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Continued from page 1

resolution that formally executed an agreement with FDOT for the transfer of the money and incorporation of the funds into the county’s budget for this fiscal year.

The FDOT financing for the project is one facet of the “road swap” that has been underway between the state department and Sarasota County. FDOT is assuming control over River Road between U.S. 41 and Interstate 75 in South County, to ensure the widening of that route and safety improvements are undertaken in a timely fashion. In exchange, the county will take control of Siesta Key roads, including Siesta Drive west of Osprey Avenue in Sarasota.

A staff memo provided to the commissioners in advance of the December 8th meeting said that county staff would continue working with FDOT on the transfer of ownership of Higel Avenue and Siesta Drive “and associated right-of-way …”

In response to a SNL question about the status of the improvements to the HigelSiesta Drive curve, Anderson of Public Works wrote in a December 2nd email that, if

the commission approved the agenda items on December 8th, staff would need to get FDOT signatures on what he called the Local Agency Project agreement for the improvements to the curve. Anderson estimated that would take about 30 days.

Then, he continued, “We’d get to work shortly afterwards, so I’d estimate completion by Spring 2021.”

Anderson also reiterated points he and other staff members have made to the commissioners in the past. “This is minor construction involving signs, striping, minor asphalt work and other similar [work].”

The formal Capital Projects Department initiative was detailed in an attachment provided to the commissioners in their December 8th agenda packet. That says the improvements also will include a “guard rail, traffic separators, delineators, flashing beacons and minor asphalt pavement removal.”

The project will comprise three segments, all of which will be in close proximity to each other, the document adds: • The Higel Avenue-Siesta Drive improvements involving

Island Chatter

million, the Property Appraiser’s Office record notes.

From January through October, Sarasota Magazine reported, the top prices for homes sold in the county were $10.5 million for the parcel located at 7712 Sanderling Road on Siesta; $7.9 million for the property located at 15 Lighthouse Point Drive on Longboat Key; and $7.25 million for the parcel located at 1219 Westway Drive on Lido Shores.

Another house on Peacock Road — standing at 6629 Peacock — went for $6.95 million, the

approximately 270 linear feet.

The document explains, “The need for this project is based on the tightness of the existing Higel curve and need for better visibility and more advanced warning [for drivers].”

• A mid-block crosswalk on Higel Avenue at the North Shell Road intersection.

• A mid-block crosswalk on Siesta Drive at the Old Oak Drive intersection.

The document adds that staff does not anticipate “any appreciable increase” in the expense of the project, beyond the funding FDOT is providing the county for it.

On May 21, 2019, Paula Wiggins, manager of the county’s Transportation Planning Division, showed the commissioners a graphic that featured facets of the proposed changes in the area of the HigelSiesta Drive curve. Among those were the installation of 108 linear feet of guardrail along the westbound section of Siesta Drive on the approach to the curve; the removal of the existing guardrail just south of the intersection; the addition of another 109 linear feet of guardrail further south of the

curve; and a 225-foot-long traffic separator through the curve.

A committee of the Bay Island Siesta Association — which is an organization of homeowners who live on the northern part of Siesta Key — was established a couple of years ago to focus on initiatives that would enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians on the northern approach to the barrier island.

Called Make Siesta Drive Safer (MSDS), the committee worked with FDOT staff to point out, especially, the need for improvements at the Higel-Siesta Drive curve.

Representatives of the Bay Island Siesta Association and MSDS have made presentations to the Siesta Key Association (SKA) about their efforts. In January 2018, the organization’s president, Pat Wulf, reported that MSDS began its work in mid-May 2017. It learned that 180 crashes involving more than 300 vehicles were recorded on the 1.9-mile stretch from Osprey Avenue to Higel Avenue between 2012 and 2015. Those resulted in 10 fatalities and 70 injuries, Wulf added.

However, Wulf said the association’s members were

convinced the actual number of crashes was even higher. That was because many drivers who fail to successfully negotiate Higel-Siesta Drive curve do not sustain enough vehicle damage to prevent them from driving away without contacting law enforcement officers.

Asked for a response to the December 8th County Commission vote, Wulf responded in an email: “The Make Siesta Drive Safer (MSDS) Committee is happy to hear the multi-year effort to gain County control of Siesta Drive/Higel Avenue is finally happening and look forward to the longpromised improvements in the Siesta/Higel curve. With a tragic history of several deaths and many accidents in the curve, the enhancements will provide improved safety, which will benefit residents and visitors alike. We remain committed to working with the County to pursue crosswalks and a reduced speed limit along the corridor to promote a safer environment for the many pedestrians and bikers that live along the roadway or use it to access our beautiful beaches.”

Continued from page 9

magazine says.

Siesta Key Village Dentistry has ribbon cutting ceremony

It’s official! The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 11 to mark the opening of Siesta Dentistry in Davidson Plaza. Dr. Ta, DDS, cut the ribbon with the help of staff from the chamber and Dr. Ta’s dental office.

Coastal Flow Featured on Fox 13 Tampa Bay News

Coastal Flow owner Jessica Gill was interviewed by Fox 13 Tampa

nerWord Search

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To advertise in print or online contact: 27th State Media LLC at 941-312-0665 Send editorial and/or photos via email to: info@27statemedia.com

Dr, Ta does the honors at ribbon cutting ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

www.TheMariner.com

Bay News for a story on the artists co-op that came about during the pandemic.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Dogs are not permitted on Siesta Key Beach

As the busy season is set to begin on Siesta Key and with many people traveling with their pets due to COVID-19, it is useful to remind visitors and residents alike that dogs (or animals generally) are not permitted on Siesta Key Beach. Sarasota County ordinance 14-48 prohibits any person that owns or has “custody or control of any animal” to take such animal on any public beach, park or playground. There is an exception for a dog that is “trained to assist or aid disabled individuals” and is being used for such purpose. The ordinance further provides that a person with control over the animal shall immediately remove any fecal matter created by the animal on public property and dispose of it properly. The fine for a violation of having a dog on the beach is $50 for a first offense and $200 for a

second offense. If there is a third offense, the person must appear in court. There are also potentially higher fines for leaving animal waste in a public area.

The Siesta Key Association (SKA) routinely receives reports of dogs on Siesta Key Beach that are in violation of the ordinance.

The SKA reports that the most common locations of such complaints are at Beach Access #s 1, 2, 10, 7, 4 and 3. Most of the violations are logged at sunset into the evening.

In addition to introducing pollution and bacteria into the sand and water on the beach, the presence of dogs on the beach can have a negative effect on the bird habitats according to Dick Miles, Siesta Key resident and site supervisor for Sarasota Audubon.

According, to Mr. Miles, the presence of dogs on the beach can frighten female Snowy Plovers, an endangered species, into leaving their nest with their eggs. Per Mr. Miles, tragically once a female Snowy Plover abandons her nest, she is often unlikely to return. It is estimated that there are only 200 pairs of Snowy Plovers left in Florida, according to Mr. Miles, with several of them resident on Siesta Key beach.

For those that would like to take their dog to a beach, Sarasota County has designated certain beaches as pet-friendly. A link to those beaches can be found here: Dog Parks and Dog-friendly Parks | Sarasota County, FL (scgov.net) A violation of the ordinance can be reported to Animal Services Department at 861-9500.

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.

All business bios are extensions of the display advertisements.

27th State Media LLC is not responsible for claims made by advertisers.

All ads are subject to the approval of the publisher. It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in Siesta Sand to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town, county and state codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that when you hire an unlicensed/uninsured person to do work at your home, you accept the liability. 27th State Media LLC is not responsible for claims made by advertisers.

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS 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

6600 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota BestWesternSiestaKey.com 941.924.4900

Complimentary shuttle service to and from anywhere on Siesta Key. Thursday-Sunday 10AM-11PM (driver tips only)

Still Family Owned and Operated Since 2007 AAA-3 Diamond Property

• 114 Guest Rooms • One and Two Bedroom Suites Now Available • Complimentary Grab & Go Breakfast Every Morning • Free Shuttle Service to and from Siesta Key every day.

• Microwave/Fridge in every guestroom *Amenities and services may be adjusted due to COVID-19, please contact the hotel or visit our website for details

Hours: Thursday 2:00PM - 8:00PM Fri.& Sat. 2:00PM - 10:00PM Happy Hour 3-6PM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Live Music every weekend (check the schedule on Facebook or call 941-924-4900) *Use of the pool for Registered Guests Only

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941.312.0665

Volleyball Fanatic

Grayson This month’s Volleyball Fanatic is Grayson Hall (21) of Bradenton.

She is a collegiate beach volleyball player at the University of Tampa.

After graduation in May 2021 she plans to head to graduate school.

Hall and her first time partner won the Women’s Open Division Championship. As college students they were not able to accept the $500 first prize.

Photos by Trebor Britt

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