IV Siesta Sand - July 2019

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JULY 2019 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY

COASTAL SETBACK CODE Board considers tweaks to Coastal Setback Code

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BREAKFAST ON THE KEY

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

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BIG PASS DREDGING

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SIESTA DRIVE Making Siesta Drive safer

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DETWILER’S FARM MARKET

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Petition to eliminate public parking spaces on North Shell Road to be heard in September by county’s Traffic Advisory Council On April 9, 2014, the Sarasota County Commission voted 3-2 to approve a plan for 16 public parking spaces on North Shell Road, to enhance public enjoyment of Beach Access 1.

Spots were to be carved out on both sides of the road, the board agreed.

During the public hearing that day, a Solymar resident, Paul Eklund, complained about cars parked all over the road during the height of tourist season. He counted 44 on March 1 and 42 on April 6, he told the commissioners, adding, “And these are not unusual numbers.”

Almost five-and-a-half years later, a couple living on North Shell Road — with support from six of their neighbors — formally will ask the county’s Traffic Advisory Council to eliminate many of the 16 spots.

Greg and Michelle Olson cite not only illegal parking issues but also alleged offenses such as drug use, excessive drinking, and drinking and driving among visitors to Shell Beach at Access 1.

Sarasota County Property Appraiser Office records show that the Olsons bought their 33,166-square-foot parcel in April 2017 for $3.5 million.

Their petition was scheduled to have been heard on June 3; however, a lack of quorum that day has pushed back the hearing to Sept. 9, county spokeswoman Brianne Grant told SNL.

vistas of Big Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. An October 1978 article by Anne Johnson in the Siesta Key Pelican said Shell Road was “considered by many the most scenic view on Siesta Key.” A person started that drive on the segment that leads these days to Beach Access 1. From there, the road formed a rough U-shape, eventually rejoining Higel about half-a-mile south, Johnson wrote.

Yet, homeowner complaints resulting from storm damage to part of the road and a subsequent County Commission vote to vacate the affected area left Beach Access 1 as the sole remnant of water access for the public on Shell Road.

Almost exactly four years after the County Commission approved the 16 parking spaces on North Shell Road, a new pair of residents began complaining at a Siesta Key Association meeting (SKA) about dogs on the beach at Access 1.

The woman in the couple told then-Sgt. Jason Mruczek, the Sheriff’s Office substation leader, that people had turned Access 1 into a “dog beach,” in spite of the county ordinance prohibiting dogs on the public beach.

“We’re left with the trash and the urine, and it’s really getting out of hand,” the woman told Mruczek.

Additionally, she said, parking has “gotten out of hand at night.”

Homeownership and beach access Once, people could drive along a stretch of Shell Road, enjoying the

Part of Big Pass Sand borrow area eliminated from proposed dredging plans

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North Shell Road

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Current trends in the Siesta Key real estate market

By Debbie Flessner

If you’re a Siesta Key resident, someone who resides anywhere in Sarasota or even a visitor to our lovely island, it’s certainly no secret to you that this is a special place to live.

Siesta Key is an eight-mile-long, crescentshaped barrier island that is, quite literally, a slice of paradise. From its cool and funky north and south end shopping and restaurant districts to its pristine, internationally renowned beaches, the Key is one-of-a-kind.

Not surprisingly, once the many people from around the world visit our island, they decide they would like to live here—at least part-time. That’s one of the reasons the real

estate market on Siesta Key, through thick and thin, remains a viable one.

Joe Kesslak, who works at RE/MAX Alliance Group on Ocean Blvd. with his wife Wendy, said that the way Sarasota County trends in real estate sales isn’t necessarily the lead that Siesta Key follows.

“Over the past five years, prices here have gone up 7 to 8% on the average annually,” he said. “Right now on Siesta Key, we have 510 total properties for sale, with 91 of those pending, and of those 419, 166 are singlefamily homes and 233 are condos.

Wendy and Joe Kesslak

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Clam Chowder: A Signature Dish of Siesta Key

By Philip M. Farrell, MD, PhD Detwiler’s Farm Market to open new store close to the Key

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TURTLE BEACH Monitoring of offshore sea life required for South Siesta Renourishment Project

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SIESTA SOUNDS

One of the original names for Siesta Key was Clam Island during a time when shell fishing was superb on the bayside. Clams, oysters, and scallops could be harvested almost as easily as catching a week’s worth of fish in an action-packed morning.

As Florida became famous for seafood, one of its many delicious dishes became associated with the original development and later expansion of Siesta Key— clam chowder.

Clams are nutritious and one of the healthiest of all sea foods, especially with regard to their fat and protein quality. Their fat content is especially nutritious because they have relatively low cholesterol levels and provide predominately omega-3 fatty acids.

Continued on page 38 Siesta Lodge in 1941 where Captain Curt’s Crab and Oyster Bar became established in 1982. Note that the buildings are still being used for shops like Captain Curt’s gift shop after extensive remodeling.

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Keeping stormwater as clean as possible a big key to improving overall Rachel Brown Hackney water quality, Siesta Key Association members hear By SarasotaNewsLeader.com In an average year, Sarasota County gets about 53 inches of rain, and on occasion, it all seems to fall “at one time,” the coordinator of Sarasota County’s Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST) told members of the Siesta Key Association during their June regular meeting.

Additionally, the runoff produced by that rain in communities built before 1984 “goes right to the bay,” Mollie Holland pointed out. “It’s not treated in any way, shape or form.”

From U.S. 41 west, she told the approximately 30 people present, no stormwater management areas exist. That is all the more reason people need to keep the runoff from rain — the stormwater — as clean as possible, she stressed.

Sometimes, from areas with no stormwater systems, Holland said, it takes only minutes for the runoff to reach the watershed; at most, 12 hours.

“Anything that is in your yard will be in the bay,” she added. “It’s just a matter of time.”

Stormwater can pick up pesticides and fertilizers that have not had time to be absorbed by lawns, she noted. It also can transport pet waste, which carries bacteria as well as nutrients, she said. Further, dry and decaying leaves and grass clippings are sources of nutrients that end up in the waterways.

Before so much residential development was created in Sarasota County, Holland explained, wetlands were abundant. “Mother Nature had it all figured out.” Nutrients that feed red tide, for example, could be filtered out before they reached the waterways and ended up in the bay, she said.

Even with modern stormwater systems having been provided throughout the county, Holland continued, “If the tide’s up and we get a lot of rain,” those systems can be overwhelmed.

Stormwater measures the county has created, she explained, have been designed for a 100-year storm event.

However, 8 inches of rain in 24 hours is considered a 100year level of rain, she added. “We’ve had that before.”

Along with the issue of nutrients being transported to the bay, she said, stormwater deposition of sand in the bay can cloud the water and prevent seagrasses from getting the sunlight they need to survive and thrive. Stormwater also can reduce the level of the bay’s salinity, Holland noted, which can have a negative impact on oysters and fish, for examples, which need a certain amount of salinity to exist.

Sarasota County staff contracts with a third party to monitor about 100 water bodies each month, she continued.

The company tests for fecal coliform bacteria and three forms of nitrogen, for examples, Holland said. “Why do we

Mollie Holland talks to SKA members June 6, 2019

monitor? For completely selfish reasons: for public safety and health.”

She then joked, “We want to see where we can spend your money to do the best good” in improving water quality.

For one example, Holland noted, the county helped the SKA install stands with pet-waste bags at various locations on the Key. Robert Luckner, a member of the SKA’s Environmental Committee, pointed out that the organization distributes about 40,000 of the bags each year, for which it pays. It has about 10 of the stands left, he added.

The data produced by the monitoring also is necessary when staff is applying for grants from the federal government and other large organizations, Holland explained. “We have to show that there’s a need for funding assistance.” Staff members can document issues, she said, and then propose plans for mitigating those problems.

Holland also reminded the audience members that a Sarasota County ordinance restricts the use of fertilizers with nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 through Sept. 30, which typically is the rainiest part of the year in Southwest Florida.

Most people with agricultural operations will not fertilize soil until they have tested it, she pointed out.

Any member of the public can get soil samples from a yard tested for free at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Program in Sarasota County, which is located at Twin Lakes Park at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota, Holland said.

UF/IFAS staff will ask a person to dig down a few inches in the person’s yard, she continued, and then get a couple

of teaspoons of soil. After the staff members receive the results of the testing on that soil sample, she added, they will let the homeowner know whether the yard needs specific minerals or nutrients.

She noted, for example, that if grass turns yellow in the summer, that means it needs minor elements, such as iron — not nutrients.

Red tide impacts Turning to the subject of red tide, Holland responded to a question about why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has implemented a catchand-release rule for trout. “They did that as a direct result of red tide. … The population of that fish species did not come back from red tide.”

Then Holland talked about diving approximately 3,000 feet offshore, in depths of about 20 to 30 feet, in August 2018 to check on various structures. “There was nothing out there.”

The first week of that month last year was when Sarasota County staff began documenting the intensification of fish kills, especially, but also deaths of other sea creatures, as the red tide bloom worsened and moved close to the shoreline.

As a contrast, Holland told the SKA members, when she dove in the same area in May 2018, she found an abundance of fish, corals, sea urchins and juvenile oysters. “Everything was completely gone in August.”

“A lot of our data, our guidance, was that it was going to be years” before the sea life returned after the devastation of red tide, she continued. Yet, the previous week, she said, she and colleagues were diving in the same general area as last August, and they saw corals again. “The fish are back, and sea urchins.”

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Another delay in Cosentino appeal, plus failed amicus brief Regular readers will recall that last year, Siesta resident Mike Cosentino filed an appeal with the 2nd District Court of Appeal after a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge ultimately ruled in favor of Sarasota County on the last count in a complaint Cosentino filed against the county in June 2016.

This spring, Cosentino’s attorney at the time, Lee Robert Rohe of Big Pine Key, sought an extension for filing a reply to briefs in the case. In late May, Rohe filed for yet another extension, which the Court of Appeal granted on May 29.

The lawsuit claimed that the County Commission violated a county policy in voting 4-1 in May 2016 to vacate a 373-footlong segment of North Beach Road.

Cosentino lost an earlier appeal of one count in the case, after Circuit Judge Frederick Mercurio ruled in the county’s favor.

With this second appeal, Cosentino’s answer to briefs from Sarasota County and intervenors originally was scheduled to be submitted to the Court of Appeal by May 23. However, the court gave Cosentino an extra 10 days from May 29 for the filing of his answer.

Additionally, the notation in the docket says the court will allow only one brief, instead of multiple briefs, as Rohe had indicated in his first request for an extension. Finally, the court’s response made it clear that the solitary brief from Cosentino “must not exceed twenty pages.”

Although Rohe filed the motion for the second extension, 12th Judicial Circuit Court records show — as reported last month — that Rohe formally withdrew from the Circuit Court case in early May, citing “irreconcilable differences” between himself and Cosentino. On May 24, Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh — who has taken over the case from Mercurio —

filed an order agreeing to discharge Rohe as counsel.

The new attorney for Cosentino is Fred E. Moore of the Blalock Walters firm in Bradenton, her order noted.

In a related matter, Cosentino told SNL that a supporter of his efforts to improve public access to the county’s waterways planned to file an amicus curiae brief with the Court of Appeal.

“Amicus curiae” is a Latin term meaning “friend of the court.” As the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University explains it, “Frequently, a person or group who is not a party to an action, but has a strong interest in the matter, will petition the court for permission to submit a brief in the action with the intent of influencing the court’s decision. Such briefs are called ‘amicus briefs.’”

The Institute adds, “State rules of civil and appellate procedure govern amici curiae in state cases.”

On May 23, attorney Elizabeth Gomez-Mayo — who represented Cosentino for a period of time in his 12th Circuit case — filed a motion with the 2nd District Court of Appeal on behalf of Angela Briguglio, asking the Court to allow the filing of that amicus curiae brief.

On May 29, the court denied the motion. It did not elaborate on the decision.

Briguglio appeared before the County Commission on Aug. 29, 2018, as Cosentino and others urged the board members to place on the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election ballot two proposed County Charter amendments Cosentino had written. He and supporters had gained enough signatures of registered voters to comply with County Charter criteria for placing a proposed amendment on a ballot; nonetheless, the County Commission has to vote to approve the appearance of such amendments on a ballot for voter consideration.

www.siestasand.net

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

One Cosentino Charter amendment called for the county to reacquire the 373-foot-long segment of North Beach Road that the County Commission voted to vacate in May 2016 — which prompted Cosentino’s lawsuit against Sarasota County.

The second amendment called for the county to preserve all county-owned parks, preserves, beach and water access, and waterfront vistas.

Both amendments ended up on the ballot, and both won sufficient voter support, though they are the focus of yet another battle between Cosentino and the county in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court. Even before the amendments were approved during the November 2018 General Election, the county argued in filings in the court that the amendments were unconstitutional in that they would constrain the authority of the County Commission as provided for in the Florida Statutes.

On Aug. 29, 2018, Briguglio, who uses a wheelchair, talked about the limitations on Siesta Key for people like her. She also noted the solitary handicapped parking space at Avenida Messina, adding that many community residents have mobility issues. “Does that mean one handicapped person can go to the beach there?”

She told the commissioners that persons with disabilities in Sarasota County “seem to be an invisible demographic.”

Avenida Messina ends right at the beach, making it a more logical choice for improved access options, she indicated.

“There’s no place left in Sarasota County to meet the ADA Americans with Disabilities requirements for beach access,” she told the commissioners. “It’s your job to protect those rights for me.”

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Board considers tweaks to Coastal Rachel Brown Hackney Setback Code By SarasotaNewsLeader.com

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County Commission chair welcomes private sector recommendations and staff suggestions Given the increasing number of requests for help to protect private property on rapidly eroding Sarasota County shorelines, the County Commission is seeking ideas from the public about modifications to the county’s Coastal Setback Code.

Chair Charles Hines raised the issue this spring, suggesting that it might be time for the board to consider policy changes that would make shoreline hardening easier.

On May 22, Howard Berna, manager of the Environmental Permitting Division, pointed out that since 2000, staff has appeared before the commission 38 times to discuss requests for Class I Emergency Variances, which are for “emergencies caused by recent calamitous occurrences such as, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or high winds where buildings, swimming pools, roads, or public facilities have been damaged or destroyed, or are directly and immediately anticipated to be threatened.”

Twenty-four of those Class I Emergency Variances have been sought by property owners since 2012, Berna said.

The number of applications for Class II Emergency Variances also has been increasing, he noted. Those deal with temporary shoreline measures designed to protect reasonable use of property until the applicant can pursue a permanent solution, Berna reminded the board. Only six have been brought to the commission since the Coastal Setback Code was adopted in 1979, Berna said; four have been addressed since 2018.

“That is absolute evidence that we’re having an increase in these erosion problems,” Hines stressed.

After the staff presentation and then discussion on May 22, Hines suggested that property owners — especially on Manasota and Casey keys, where concerns about erosion undermining beach structures have been growing in recent years — work with engineers and other professionals to pose ideas to the board.

Commissioner Alan Maio

added that staff members in the county’s Environmental Protection and Environmental Permitting divisions, who handle the requests for emergency variances, also feel free to suggest modifications to the Coastal Setback Code. Staff members may be hesitant to do so, he pointed out, as they might be fearful of intruding on the commission’s prerogative to make policy. However, Maio stressed, “If we didn’t like a proposal from staff, we would just vote it down.”

“I think our staff … clearly feels empowered,” Hines responded.

If they have ideas about tweaking the language in county policies, he continued, they can bring those to the board.

Commissioner Michael Moran also called for staff to “give us unfiltered information” from residents affected by shoreline erosion, as well as others in the community who are interested in the issue.

County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said staff would provide the board members any comments that come in on the topic and then plan on an update in the fall. After that second presentation, Lewis said, staff would ask whether the commissioners then would like to offer specific direction about policy changes.

“Thank you,” Hines responded.

“That’s perfect.”

At the outset of the May 22 staff presentation, Rachel Herman, manager of the Environmental Protection Division, pointed out that the County Commission adopted the Coastal Setback Code in 1979. “It is a prohibitory ordinance,” she noted, in contrast to many other county regulations.

Specifically, she explained, it prohibits construction, excavation and alteration seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL) and the Barrier Island Twenty-Year Hazard Line. However, it does allow for exemptions, she said, such as the placement of sandbags on the beach and dune walkovers.

The GBSL, Berna explained, “is effectively assisting homeowners to stay out of harm’s way in the

coastal high-hazard area.”

Herman reviewed relevant environmental policies in the county’s Comprehensive Plan, including Policy 4.1.2, which says, in part, “Hardening of Gulf beaches or passes shall be prohibited unless such hardening has been found to be in the public interest.” Even then, she continued, a hardening project that is permitted “shall not impact lateral public pedestrian access, and shall minimize adverse impacts to coastal processes and resources, neighboring properties, and the values and functions of beaches and dune systems …”

Beach nourishment, Herman pointed out, is promoted instead of shoreline hardening.

Berna talked about the policy that encourages dune restoration projects.

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Happiness is… Striving for Excellence You have done it again! For the sixth year in a row, you’ve made Abel’s Ice Cream NUMBER ONE and the recipient of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence. According to Trip Advisor’s website, their Certificate of Excellence honors businesses that deliver consistently great service and have consistently achieved great reviews over the past year.

“We have the greatest customers in the world to thank for this honor,” said Jerry Williams, owner of Abel’s Ice Cream. “In addition to serving the best ice cream, we do everything possible to be the friendliest staff in Sarasota.”

With the summer months upon us, it’s a perfect time to take a break from Jerry and Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream the heat and visit Abel’s to enjoy a cool, sweet treat. And if you’ve never stopped Road, Sarasota, in the South Bridge Plaza. Open by, come see what all the fuss is about.

Maybe try one of their featured summer flavors like Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Dreamsicle (The ultimate creamsicle treat…Sweet Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more Vanilla ice cream & tangy Orange Sherbet swirled online at their website, www.abelsicecream.com together.) or our light favorite, Lemon Sorbet (A or connect with them on Facebook or Instagram. zesty Lemon-flavored ice; non-dairy.)

Awarded their “As we celebrate our nation’s birthday,” Jerry Certificate of Excellence added, “we’re more thankful than ever to be a part of this community.” for SIX years straight!

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Island Chatter

Staff Report ‘Died’ in committee

As this year was getting underway, state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota County was getting a lot of attention for filing a bill to prohibit the smoking of tobacco on public beaches.

Years ago, residents and visitors — including Dr. Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University, known as Dr. Beach — enjoyed a smoke-free environment on Siesta Public Beach. That was before a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge ruled that state law prevented the City and County of Sarasota from banning smoking in public places.

In early March, as the Florida Legislature’s session was getting underway, Gruters filed his bill, which was referred to three committees.

As the session went on, and water quality and other issues took high priorities, it could be said that Gruters’ bill was relegated to relative obscurity.

The final notice on the bill’s webpage for the 2019 session says that on May 3, it was “indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration.”

Additionally, the webpage notes, the bill “died” in the Senate’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Rissler noted, and another $500,000 will be available out of North County impact fees set aside for parks.

Staff has been collaborating with former Commissioner Nora Patterson and Patterson’s husband, John, Rissler said, as well as Sarasota architect Guy Peterson, “trying to get this moving forward to design and construction drawings.”

When SNL asked county Communications Department staff whether any more details were available, Media Relations Specialist Brianne Grant responded that the project entails a “small restroom.”

Grant added that PRNR staff had let her know, “It’s still really early on in the planning so not too much to share on it yet.”

A long-time Siesta resident, Nora Patterson served on the County Commission for 12 years. She had to step down in 2014 because of term limits. Prior to her county board service, she was a Sarasota city commissioner.

The county side of the park on Bay Island — just west of the Siesta Drive drawbridge — was renamed in Patterson’s honor in 2015. First, though, the park was the focus of a number of improvements, including a rebuilt seawall and an upgraded parking lot. It looks out over the Intracoastal Waterway.

Officially, the park is located at 946 Siesta Drive. The county website notes that it is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

More bus shelters proposed for the Key

Restroom planned at Nora Patterson Bay Island Park

During the 2020 fiscal year — which will begin Oct. 1 — Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) Department staff hopes to see work begin on a restroom at Nora Patterson Bay Island Park.

That was one project PRNR Director Nicole Rissler highlighted for the county commissioners on May 21, as they reviewed the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the next five fiscal years.

Her department already has $197,449 allocated for the work,

Bus shelters were another topic the county commissioners addressed during their May 17 review of the proposed Capital Improvement Program projects for the next five fiscal years.

Rob Lewis, interim director of Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), reported that a number of the structures are planned on Beach Road during the 2020 fiscal year, which will begin Oct. 1.

The SCAT stops designated for new shelters are those on the east and west sides of Beach Road at Siesta Public Beach and those on the east and west sides of the intersection of Beach Road and Lake House Circle.

Additionally, the SCAT stops at the Beach Road intersections of Midnight Pass Road and Avenida del Mare are to get replacement shelters, the list notes.

Finally, a new shelter is planned at the bus stop at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Avenue B and C. In a related matter, Commissioner Christian Ziegler took the opportunity on May 17 to reprise comments he earlier had made to his colleagues, arguing for the need for shade for the Siesta Key Breeze trolley stop at Siesta Public Beach.

“Whatever we can do,” Ziegler told Interim SCAT Director Lewis, would be a help.” Ziegler called shade at the beach trolley stop a “high priority.”

“I made a personal visit to the site,” Lewis replied, adding that he understood exactly what Ziegler meant. He would be working with his staff and the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department staff, Lewis continued, to figure out the best solution. “There are some constraints on that parking lot,” he pointed out, because of the drainage system.

Still, Lewis told Ziegler, he had proposed a couple of different ideas to staff members for them to consider in dealing with that situation.

Trolley getting a lot of attention

As the Sarasota County commissioners have engaged in budget discussions in recent weeks, the Siesta Key Breeze has been in the spotlight quite a few times.

During the May quarterly meeting of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, members were able to learn even more about how busy the Breeze has been.

Nathan Reid, general manager of the trolley operation for CPR Medical Transportation LLC of Washington, D.C., told the approximately 25 people present that from January to May 22, the Breeze had had more than 190,000 riders. “Great numbers.”

He did point out that CPR Medical — which won the contract for operating the trolley in July 2018 — took over the service just as the worst of the red tide bloom was making its presence known on the county’s shoreline, in August 2018.

He called the period from August through October 2018 “a few rough months.”

However, Reid continued, when December 2018 arrived, “Things really cleared up, with a tremendous difference as far as ridership was concerned. I think people were just sitting at home, waiting,” he said, for red tide to subside so they could return to the beach. “It was an onslaught” in December, he added.

Still, he told the Chamber members, The SIesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival in November 2018 did bring out lots of people. The weekend of the event, Reid said, trolley ridership was almost 7,000.

“That was coming down to the ending of red tide,” he added, so he and other company representatives had wondered how busy the Breeze would be.

“It’s almost scary to think about what this year might bring with the Crystal Classic,” Reid told the Chamber group. “But we look forward to it.”

This year, the Crystal Classic is set for Nov. 15-18.

Because of spring break visitors, Reid continued, “March was probably our biggest month.”

Continued on page 10

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Breakfast on the Key Your “Breakfast of Champions” can begin right here on the Key. Health gurus are in agreement when it comes to breakfast and how it is the most important meal of the day providing the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast.

Another compelling reason to eat a

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By Bob Stein

good breakfast? According to a 2017 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, skipping breakfast habitually may increase dangerous inflammation. The study concluded that, “higher postprandial insulin concentrations and increased fat oxidation with breakfast skipping suggest the development of metabolic inflexibility in

Sun Garden Cafe owners Suzanne and Rick Munroe

response to prolonged fasting that may in the long term lead to low-grade inflammation and impaired glucose homeostasis.”

Breakfast also serves as an excellent occasion to eat together as a family when possible. By establishing good breakfast habits in childhood and maintaining them throughout adolescence, one can help

reduce the prevalence of breakfast skipping and develop good eating habits that last a lifetime.

A good adage to keep in mind: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” And know the breakfast offerings here on the Key will certainly make you feel like a king.

Village Café co-owner Kay Kouvatsos

Sun Garden Café is located at 210 Avenida Madera, in the Village. Enjoy seriously good food in their casual family friendly garden restaurant.

“We have a classic rock / throwback surf culture theme at Sun Garden - so the name of this dish was easy. Chicken and waffles originated in Mississippi, so we had to name it after a classic Mountain song,” says owners Suzanne & Rick Munroe.

MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, A buttermilk fired chicken breast glazed with papaya habanero sauce served alongside a Belgian style waffle (we have our waffle / pancake flour mixed special for us

by Adluh Mills in South Carolina) garnished with maple pepper cured bacon, bread and butter pickles and good ol’ maple syrup.

The Local Bean owner Zach Peavler

Village Café is located at 5133 Ocean Blvd. in the Village. Since 1995, the Village Café has been a Siesta Key staple for breakfast. A favorite stop for locals and visitors alike, the familyowned, casual cafe features a friendly team-oriented staff serving up filling portions of tasty food to satisfy every appetite!

EGGstravaganza – “We place a layer of steaming potatoes in a skillet, sauté toppings of your choice, melt our blend of cheeses, and top it with 2 eggs of your choice,” says co-owner Kay Kouvatsos.

Toasted Mango Café owners Sandi Wagner and Kimberly Duffy

The Local Bean is a coffee shop that offers more than just specialty coffees. Located in the Village, at 5138 Ocean Blvd. in the Siesta Village Plaza, where Davidson’s Drugs is located, they offer this popular breakfast item.

“We have our Egg and cheddar sandwich....served on our homemade organic English muffin, choice of sausage, ham, bacon or organic tomato slices. (Pictured is the bacon, egg and cheddar).

Our homemade organic blueberry muffins are made fresh everyday with organic ingredients,” says owner, Zack Peavler.

Toasted Mango Café is located at 6621 Midnight Pass Road just south of Stickney Point Road.

The dish that earned the cafe high marks from The Food Network is the Toasted Mango’s Belgian-style waffle topped with fresh mango and toasted coconut, finished with real whipped cream.

The airy malted discs — pressed for exactly three minutes — arrive crisp and warm, adorned with cubes of ripe mango, toasted coconut flakes and whipped cream, “It’s a true taste of paradise,” say co-owners Kimberly Duffy and Sandi Wagner.

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JULY 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Circuit Court judge in Siesta Key Association’s Big Pass case seeking Rachel Brown Hackney to move up date of summer hearing By SarasotaNewsLeader.com The Siesta Key Association (SKA) has asked a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge to accelerate the timeline for a hearing on the complaint the SKA filed in the court in March 2017 to try to prevent the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass.

The request came after leaders of the SKA and another Siesta Key-based nonprofit — Save Our Siesta Sand 2 (SOSS2) — learned that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had set a July 2 date for companies to bid on the Lido Beach Renourishment Project.

Both the SKA and SOSS2 have been working for years to try to prevent the removal of sand from Big Pass for the Lido initiative.

As a result of a June 18 emergency hearing on motions regarding the SKA complaint timeline, Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh asked all the parties to respond by June 28 about the potential of moving up the date of the planned hearing on the evidence from Aug. 16 to July 22. (The June deadline came after the publication of this issue of Siesta Sand.)

SKA attorney Kent Safriet of the Tallahassee firm Hopping Green & Sams communicated with McHugh, obtaining her agreement to hold the June 18 emergency hearing, SNL learned. Most of the attorneys participated in that emergency hearing by telephone, according to the Court Appearance Record filed in the case docket.

Even before learning about the date bids were due for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Lido solicitation, SKA leaders voiced concern about the potential for the project to get underway before their Circuit Court case was concluded.

During the June 6 SKA meeting, President Catherine Luckner discussed the fact that outside counsel for the City of Sarasota — John R. Herin Jr. of the Fox Rothschild firm in Miami — consistently had asked for time extensions over the past months as McHugh had issued orders for city responses. The most recent incident, Luckner explained to the approximately 30 people at the June meeting, involved the city’s responses to SKA demands for documents as part of the discovery process.

The city was the co-applicant with the USACE for the necessary Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit for the Lido Renourishment Project.

“I think the judge is now quite aware that we’ve been kind of dangled along,” Luckner said on June 6.

If the case took too long to conclude, she continued, FDEP could give the city and the USACE the formal Notice to Proceed to begin the project, and the SKA might not be made

aware of that in a timely fashion.

A money issue If the SKA needed to ask the Circuit Court for an emergency injunction to stop the Lido project until the case was completed, Luckner said on June 6, the nonprofit would have to put up a bond. She indicated that, given the potential amount of money involved, the SKA would prefer not to have to take that route.

In response to SNL questions, Morgan Bentley of the Bentley & Bruning law firm in Sarasota explained that, in court actions such as the example Luckner had mentioned, a bond is required Silvertooth Judicial Center “to provide some security to the other side in the event the project is delayed, additional costs are county policies and regulations. That request took place incurred, etc., while the judicial review is going on.” Bentley during a May 2017 meeting, which included City Manager added, “Sometimes the parties will ask that the bond be Tom Barwin and City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw, waived, but that is pretty rare to be granted.”

SKA filings in the Circuit Court case have pointed out.

Bentley noted that he did not have the expertise to make During the June 6 SKA meeting, Luckner also reported a guess about the amount of bond that would be necessary that her husband, Robert — a member of the nonprofit’s if the SKA were to seek an emergency injunction in its case. Environmental Committee — had reviewed City The most recent estimates provided by City of Sarasota Commission meetings that took place over the past five or staff regarding the expense of the Lido Renourishment six years and had found “no indication that there was ever Project — in February — put the total at approximately $19.5 a hearing held by the city commissioners” on the proposed million. However, given the limited number of companies Big Pass project, to determine whether it is consistent with that handle major dredging projects — as a consultant the city’s applicable Comprehensive Plan policy. reported to the Sarasota County Commission earlier this In a December 2018 hearing before Judge McHugh, SKA year — the final bid amount could be higher than that. attorney Safriet argued that the SKA has been asking city Safriet, the SKA attorney, did not respond to a SNL request leaders for years to conduct a consistency review, and they for comment about the potential amount of the bond. have refused. The SKA has asked McHugh to issue a Writ of Mandamus to force the city to take such action.

Allegations over the May 2017 meeting On June 6, Robert Luckner told SKA members that the In its Circuit Court case, the SKA has maintained that the nonprofit had produced “400 pages of documents and City of Sarasota has not adhered to the city’s own policies or letters we’ve written to city leaders,” as part of the discovery to Sarasota County regulations in planning for the removal process for the Circuit Court case, as evidence to prove the of sand from Big Pass, which never has been dredged.

SKA’s assertions.

The SKA also has filed documentation with the court, The city’s discovery process, he continued, has focused Luckner told members on June 6, that its representatives exclusively on the May 2017 meeting, which city counsel asked senior city staff in person to comply with the city and Herin has alleged never occurred.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

Sand source eliminated

JULY 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

By Rachel Brown Hackney

9

SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Part of Big Pass Sand borrow area between northernmost Siesta Key and Lido Key eliminated from proposed dredging plans Close to a third of one area of Big Sarasota Pass has been eliminated as a sand source for the planned Lido Key Beach Renourishment Project.

Maps provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in its solicitation for bids for the project showed the easternmost portion of Cut C was marked “No Dredging.”

In early October 2018, Robert Luckner, a representative of the Siesta Key Association (SKA), notified Sarasota City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw that he had found information through the city’s GIS mapping system about a city potable water line in Cut C. His research showed the pipeline crossing from Sarasota County’s Ted Sperling Park on South Lido to the Bay Island system on northern Siesta Key. The only mention he had seen in regard to any underwater infrastructure in that sand borrow area, he added, was a notation of a cable crossing. Luckner asked what steps the city and the USACE would take to avoid the cable and the potable watermain if they were able to proceed with dredging in that part of Big Pass.

DavisShaw replied that she would check with city Utilities Department staff and provide Luckner an answer.

Sixteen days later — on Oct. 18, 2018 — DavisShaw responded that she had contacted USACE staff members about the infrastructure. “They are aware of it,” she added, “and as part of the design effort will get more detail on the facilities and note them on the plans.”

In response to questions about the change involving Cut C in the bid package, Trisston Brown, a USACE public information officer, wrote in a June 14 email, “The eastern portion of Borrow Area C is permitted by FDEP the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as beachcompatible fill sand. However, it is a lower priority area for a few reasons: “1) the available volume is relatively small and the cut depth is relatively thin compared to other borrow areas to be dredged; “2) a portion of Borrow Area C is unavailable due to a no-dredge buffer around water mains and an electric cable that cross the inlet; “3) sparse seagrasses exist adjacent to the dredge area with the potential to be impacted; and “4) the sand in the other borrow areas is slightly more compatible with the existing beach.”

The bid package provides details about sediment samples taken at various locations in the borrow areas through a method called “vibracoring.” A number of references are made to “poorly-graded” sand in the eliminated section of Cut C. As for the seagrass in that part of the borrow area: On May 20, the Sarasota City Commission was scheduled to consider a seagrass mitigation agreement with the Manatee County Commission because of expected destruction of seagrass with the dredging of Big Pass. However, DavisShaw asked that the item be pulled from the agenda because of USACE requests she received the previous Friday, May 17, regarding modifications for the agreement.

SKA representatives and the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper have protested the mitigation plan for a number of reasons, including the distance of Perico Preserve — a manmade basin connected to Tampa Bay — from Big

Pass.

In a memo to the City Commission in advance of the May 20 meeting, DavisShaw had explained that the proposed removal of sand from Big Pass was anticipated to destroy 1.68 acres of seagrass. As a result, the permit the city and the USACE received from FDEP for the Lido Renourishment Project called for the creation of 2.9 to 3.2 acres of new seagrass as mitigation.

The Final Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) the USACE completed in July 2018 for the Lido Renourishment Project included a graphic showing the sections of the proposed sand borrow areas where biologists had found seagrasses. Notes accompanying that graphic referenced seagrasses observed “in the northeastern portion of the investigation area,” referring to the part of Cut C that the USACE has eliminated in the bid package.

The notes added that two types of seagrasses were found there “in varying densities between 50 and 100 percent cover in shallow waters up to four feet in depth.”

Both the SKA and a second Siesta-based nonprofit, Save Our Siesta Sand 2 (SOSS2), are pursuing legal challenges in an effort to stop the dredging of Big Pass, out of concern that the initiative would result in serious damage to Siesta’s shoreline and Big Pass itself as a navigational channel. The SKA filed a complaint in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in March 2017, while SOSS2 filed suit against the USACE in January in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

A hearing has been rescheduled from July 19 to Aug. 16 in the SKA case.

Referring to the USACE change of plan with Cut C, SKA President Catherine Luckner told SNL that the federal agency “is finally accepting our previous statements about that portion of Borrow Area ‘C’ having little sand value and the illegality of mitigating seagrass destruction outside Sarasota County.

“The City of Sarasota has been spared a needless and environmentally destructive contract for mitigation,” Luckner added.

Details about the USACE solicitation The advertisement of the USACE bid package on the

Federal Business Opportunities website said the posting went up on May 16. The original response date for interested companies was June 19; however, that was pushed back to July 2.

During a joint meeting of the Sarasota and Charlotte County commissions in late February, a consultant working with both counties on Manasota Key Beach renourishment projects pointed out that only a few companies worldwide continue to pursue major dredging initiatives.

Michael T. Poff, president of Coastal Engineering Consultants in Naples, indicated that the bigger the project, the more interest it would generate among those firms.

10

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

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He did point out that one day in March, some teenagers took the Breeze sign off a trolley. Reid said he had told one of his colleagues, “Those kinds of things, we expect to happen,” given the number of 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds enjoying a week at the beach.

All in all, he added of the spring break period, “We thought it was a very good success.”

Reid also noted that the total number of riders in March was almost 63,000. The biggest day was March 24, with 3,000 people counted on the Breeze.

As for more recent data: The ridership for May was 24,906, Lisa Potts, communications specialist for Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) reported.

Beach cleanup planned

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Continued from page 6

to tackle the mess we know will be left over from the 4th of July Weekend.

Event begins at 8 am and we’ll be cleaning up our beautiful Siesta Key until 11 am.

Meet up point is at The Hub Baja Grill and we will be giving away T-shirts, snacks, bottles of water and ice pops for this kid friendly event. Surfside Free Rides will be donating their time to transport the volunteers to accesses 3, 5 and 8.

Village property values rise again

The value of the property in the Siesta Key Village Public Improvement District once again is up, based on the preliminary values released by the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office on May 24.

The preliminary figure for the Village Public Improvement District this year is $77,015,705.

The final value for 2018 was $72,793,969. Thus, the new figure reflects an increase of close to 5.8%.

The owners of the property in the Public Improvement District pay assessments each year that finance the Village upkeep.

In response to one property owner’s questions via email in early May, Lisa Cece, the special district coordinator for the county who serves as the liaison to the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp., noted that the 2020 fiscal year budget for the Public Improvement District will fall “as a result of more efficient and lower costs for contract services awarded last year.”

In 2018, county staff for the first time split the maintenance

And speaking of Village maintenance…

As usual, Michael Shay, manager of Village maintenance, had interesting tidbits to share with Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members when about 20 of them gathered at the Daiquiri Deck for their quarterly meeting on May 22.

Shay first noted that since the last quarterly meeting in February, a new, large bike rack has been installed at Bonjour French Café on Ocean Boulevard.

Continued on page 15

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responsibilities into two contracts; one covers the general upkeep, including garbage collection, while the other is for landscaping and related services.

“This, combined with a paydown from the reserve fund has decreased revenue assessments to property owners from $141,594.00 this year (FY19) to $130,910.00 (FY20) next year,” Cece continued in a May 6 email to Michael Holderness, who owns the Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites on Ocean Boulevard.

“Due to new construction/ utility/undergrounding work occurring more frequently due to new storefronts that are converting to a more modern type venue with new utilities such as gas, the expense portion of the budget has been increased,” Cece added.

“The other contingency variable is unknown public damage by car accidents, vandalism, graffiti, and other issues,” she wrote.

The Village Maintenance Corp expenses for FY19 were budgeted at $162,944, Cece pointed out. That figure has been increased in FY20 to a total of $173,547, she added.

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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!

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Visit our new Siesta Village Liquors just next door!

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JULY 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

All Roads Lead To…

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5204 Ocean Blvd., in the Siesta Key Village Celebrate 4th of July with our Captain USA flavor

Made In Rome Organic Gelato (MIROG) is kicking off the month of July with their new Captain USA flavor, in honor of our Country’s Independence (July 4th). Passionfruit will also be a featured flavor to signify all the passion that has gone into the hardfought battle to win our Independence. Owners and staff salute all proud Americans.

Take the taste-test challenge Made In Rome Organic Gelato, owned by authentic Romans, uses all certified USDA organic ingredients and offers sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. Although there are numerous shops around the U.S. selling gelato, you’d have to take a trip to Italy to find another gelateria where only organic ingredients are used exclusively, and a new batch, made from scratch, is created every 15 minutes. The taste is incomparable and the owners dare you to take their taste-the-difference challenge.

There are 45 flavors to choose from and the staff at Made In Rome Organic Gelato generously provide samples of their made from scratch, in-house gelato.

No hydrogenated fats or colorants, or preservatives are ever used.

By using more milk than cream, no egg yolks, along with a slow-churn process, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance with the intense flavors and silky textures this low calorie option provides. Old family recipes that have been improved over the decades are in use and new flavors are developed every month.

A little gelato history Italians are credited with introducing gelato to the rest of Europe dating back to the 16th century. In 1686, Sicilian born Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli was summoned to Paris and opened a cafe named after himself called “Cafe Procope.” It quickly became one of the most celebrated meeting places of the literary establishment in France. Meanwhile, in Italy, the art of traditional gelato making was passed on from father to son, improved and perfected

right up to the 20th century. During this time, many gelato makers began to emigrate, taking their expertise to the rest of Europe.

Vegans rejoice Yes, vegans, you can make this one of your go-to places because Made In Rome Organic Gelato is vegan friendly offering a selection of gelato, cones, shakes, and even a vegan affogato al caffe.

Whether you choose vegan-friendly or not, the affogato al caffe; a double shot of espresso topped with a scoop of gelato…any flavor, continues to be a customer favorite. Says owner, Diane Theron-Cuna, “People go crazy for this!”

Watch the process Theron-Cuna and husband, Massimo enjoy showing off the method used to construct their gelato. They invite you to watch the process as they create a batch of their sinfully delicious gelato, then take their taste-test challenge.

If you’re lucky enough to catch Diane at the shop, she will happily entertain you with stories of her earlier days as a circus performer. She comes from three generations of circus performers and has traveled around the world performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The family earned their own “Star of Fame” at St. Armands Circle – The Theron Cycling Troupe.

From left: Theresa, Julia, Gaby, and Vanessa, employees of Made In Rome Organic Gelato

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.

Made In Rome Organic Gelato is located at 5204 Ocean Blvd., in the Siesta Key Village. Their hours are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. (941) 960-5344.

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JULY 2019

New details available about two transportation projects

During an extensive staff presentation about transportation on May 21, the County Commission learned a bit more about the plans for safety improvements at the intersection of Higel Avenue and Siesta Drive.

Paula Wiggins, county transportation planning manager, noted that staff has been working both with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and representatives of Make Siesta Drive Safer (MSDS) about those plans, as numerous crashes have occurred at that sharp curve on the northern part of Siesta.

Make Siesta Drive Safer leaders have discussed their efforts at length on two occasions with Siesta Key Association members, including MSDS’ focus on the Higel/ Siesta curve.

During the Siesta Key Association meeting on Jan. 5, 2018,

Pat Wulf, president of the Bay Island Siesta Association — of which Make Siesta Drive Safer is a committee — reported that between 2012 and 2015, 180 crashes involving more than 300 vehicles were recorded on the 1.9-mile stretch from Osprey Avenue to Higel Avenue, with many of them occurring in the vicinity of the curve.

On May 21, Wiggins reminded the commissioners about the proposed swap of roads on Siesta to county authority, in exchange for FDOT’s assuming control of River Road.

(On May 13, County Engineer Spencer Anderson told SNL that the swap will occur this summer.)

After the road swap has been completed, Wiggins pointed out, FDOT has agreed to fund the project at the Higel/ Siesta Drive intersection, but county staff will oversee its construction.

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A slide Wiggins showed the board includes notations about the addition 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 second project planned on the Key is listed in FDOT’s latest Five-Year Work Program for 2022. That is the resurfacing of Midnight Pass Road from the Stickney Point Road intersection to Shadow Lawn Way. Altogether, the length of that initiative is 1.635 miles, the Work Program document says. The project’s total expense has been put at $2,718,402.

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North Shell Road When Mruczek asked whether she meant people were remaining in the area after 9 p.m., she replied, “Oh, yeah. Yeah. I’ve got you guys on speed dial.”

Both the woman and the man with her declined to identify themselves to SNL, citing concerns about backlash for their comments.

At the next SKA meeting, in May 2018, Mruczek reported that he believed the Sheriff’s Office “had a lot of success with enforcement” on North Shell Road.

Eight months later, though, the residents of N. Shell Road — Greg and Michelle Olson — filed an application with the Sarasota County Traffic Advisory Council (TAC), requesting the removal of all the parking spaces on both sides of the road between their house and Higel Avenue.

The TAC advises the County Commission and makes recommendations “on matters pertaining to traffic, parking, speed regulations, safety, and the placing of traffic control devices within unincorporated Sarasota County,” its webpage says.

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Continued from cover story

Generally, the County Commission takes final action on petitions to the TAC. Details about their request In their Jan. 24 petition to the TAC, the Olsons included multiple reasons for seeking the parking space reduction on North Shell Road.

Many of their points reprised issues raised at the April 2018 SKA meeting.

Foremost, however, they wrote, has been consistent difficulty “entering and exiting our driveway due to cars repeatedly parking beyond the ‘No Parking’ areas of the cul-de-sac …”

That is “of grave concern,” they stressed, because Greg Olson has health issues. In fact, they continued, their driveway was blocked once when they needed to go to the emergency room. They cited that situation as the impetus for their decision to petition the TAC. As for the alleged drug and alcohol incidents: The couple wrote that they and their neighbors “fear for our safety. The team of Sheriffs that respond to our constant calls are … incredibly supportive,” the couple continued. Nonetheless, the Sheriff’s Office does not have sufficient staffing to be able to “dedicate an officer 24/7 to Shell Beach,” they added.”

To support their allegations, they pointed out that they and their neighbors “continually find illegal drug paraphernalia (crack pipes, bongs, etc.) all along the street.”

In addition,” they wrote, “we have patrons of the beach access who regularly urinate and defecate alongside their parked cars in the aforementioned spaces. We have beer cans tossed over our privacy wall daily and several neighbors have documented vandalism at their homes which was the result of constant attempts to trespass (jump our privacy walls), again by high and intoxicated individuals.”

Further, they cited “a blatant disregard for the posted beach hours” prohibiting people with vehicles in the area between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.

Then they noted that Access 1 has “become known as the ‘dog beach.’”

“This regularly causes a health hazard,” they wrote, as the dogs “urinate and defecate, without their owners properly removing the pet waste …”

The Olsons concluded their email, “We are hopeful that you would give thoughtful consideration to our request. We trust that this is not how you would want a beach within your jurisdiction to be operating.”

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

Island Chatter

JULY 2019

Continued from page 10

“We had a bench there that was very damaged,” he said. Over time, he had observed that a lot of the restaurant’s patrons were using bicycles, he continued, but “they were tying bikes to trees, benches, everything.”

Since the new bike rack was installed, Shay added, “I will say that I have not seen bicycles tied to the benches, which is a good thing.”

Next, Shay reported that a vehicle struck the bench in front of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar at some point, but no report was filed with the Sheriff’s Office about the incident. “We just fixed that bench this week.”

Then Shay reported that the arms were removed from one of the benches in the gazebo. They just disappeared, he added. “We found one of ’em.”

He was not certain why the arms were removed, he continued, questioning what other purpose the arms could serve. At any rate, he added, “We replaced them.”

About six weeks ago, Shay said, an automobile accident in front of the Lofino Building, at the northern end of the Village, damaged plumbing lines and a “No Parking” sign.

Additionally, the bollard near the Coldwell Banker office “became like the Leaning Tower of Pisa,” tilting at a 45-degree angle. County staff repaired that, Shay said.

As for garbage: During the traditional, prime spring break month of March, the Village usually sees big crowds, Shay indicated. This year, too, he noted, right before Easter in late April, “The Village was extremely busy.”

On a normal basis, he said, the company that handles the garbage collections — under contract with the county — does not pick up materials on Tuesdays and Saturdays. However, “For about a two-week period, we had to do seven days a week.” Waste Management, which collects the garbage that the contractor puts in the dumpster in the public parking lot between Avenida Madera and Avenida de Mayo, had to come in for extra pickups, as well, Shay added.

Announcing a retirement

During the May 22 quarterly meeting of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Michael Shay announced that he will be retiring as the Village Maintenance Corp. manager at the end of the current fiscal year, which will be Sept. 30.

He will have served in the position for five years, he pointed out to SNL before the meeting began.

He is hopeful, he told the Chamber members, that his replacement will be hired in August or September, before he steps down, so he can train that person. That, he said, would lead to “an easy transition beginning Oct. 1.”

“Thank you for everything that you do,” Chamber Chair Eric Fleming told Shay. “And good luck with your retirement.”

Coconuts Outlet Store closing

After 37 years we are closing our Coconuts Outlet Store in the corner of Captain Curt’s Plaza, directly behind Captain Curt’s restaurant.

Everything must go, Clothing/Bags/Jewelry/Crocs- $5 $10 $20 and 50% off racks- Open Daily 10-6. Located at 1218 Old Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key in Captain Curt’s Plaza. Many thanks to the Stewart Family of Captain Curt’s for being such great landlords over the years.

This does not affect our main store Coconuts next to Crescent Beach Grocery.

Come to Siesta Key and enjoy the fireworks

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is proud to announce the 29th Anniversary of the 4th of July Community Fireworks Celebration, Thursday, July 4th, at Siesta Key Beach. The fireworks show will launch at dusk at the Siesta Key Public Beach (948 Beach Road) and is free and open to the public.

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

15

Fresh Catch continues to expand their loyal customer base Last year, Buzzfeed.com published a list for top new restaurants diners should check out in Florida for 2018. Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill topped that list.

Buzzfeed compiles their list on new restaurants that opened during the past year by focusing their data on the restaurantreview site Yelp.com. Only one restaurant is chosen from each state, adding to the impressive recognition this small restaurant received.

So how is this mom and pop business faring one year after receiving this honor? There seems to be no shortage of five star reviews for this restaurant so they appear to be exceeding the criteria diners expect and appreciate. Co-owner Devon Provost says, “Fresh Catch has many local and loyal customers. The business continues to build thanks not only to them but the many people who use websites like Yelp, Google and TripAdvisor.”

Fresh Catch’s, father/son duo, Bob and Devon Provost have a serious passion for seafood which started way back when the family lived in the Boston area. Their simply prepared, neverfried, never-frozen dishes are paired with a variety of simple sauces that serve to complement, so the freshness of the seafood shines.

Your fish/seafood selection goes from the case onto the grill.

Prepared grilled or blackened, topped with lemon and butter, Pico de Gallo or tropical salsa. Served with a fresh ear of corn on the cob and baby roasted potatoes. Soups, salads, sandwiches and steam pots round out the menu. If room permits, be sure to order a slice of their homemade key lime pie. Bob’s wife, Debra, makes the key lime pie, using freshly whipped cream. The restaurant also offers a nice selection of beers and wines.

Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill, located at 7119 S. Tamiami Trail, just south of Stickney Point Road in the Buccaneer Plaza, is a casual restaurant/market with indoor and outdoor seating for close to 30.

Fresh Catch continues to receive high praise from online reviews: Words cannot describe my delight! Everything was fantastic! Amazing fresh fish - I think it was still swimming this morning! Smoked Mahi Mahi dip, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Cocktail, blackened grouper sandwich, Tripletail with watermelon salsa and shrimp tacos! Bounty from the sea delivered with excellent service and topped off with homemade key lime pie! – Yelper, Kara T.

The Provost Family Wishes everyone a Happy Fourth of July.

Stopped here for a late lunch, I had the Salmon corn on the cob it was excellent. My mom had the clam chowder which was awesome and the shrimp cocktail which she really liked it. My husband had the clam chowder also which he said is the best he has ever had and a Shrimp dish which he enjoyed.

The service was very good, after the meal was served they checked up to see if everything was ok.

I would highly recommend and if I am in the area again I will definitely eat here again. People who live nearby need to visit this restaurant, it will sure to become one of your favorites. “If you love delicious seafood prepared flawlessly, this is the place for you. Everything is cooked to highlight the high quality, pulled fresh from the gulf.” —Yelper, Linda G. ~ Fresh Catch Fish Market and Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 941-413-7133, freshcatchfishmarketandgrill.com (Advertorial)

Continued on page 16

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Island Chatter Continued from page 15

The celebration is completely reliant on generous community donations from businesses, accommodations, and residents.

All donations directly fund the fireworks.

Donations of all levels are greatly appreciated, however, sponsorship packages of $500 and above include parking passes and access to the preferred viewing area which opens at 6:00 p.m. and includes complimentary beverages and light snacks. To make a donation, please visit siestakeychamber.com, or call the Chamber office at 941-349-3800.

Gone at last

This reporter had an opportunity to drive down Old Stickney Point Road on May 31 to check on the status of the former Fandango Café structure next to the Siesta Key Storage building.

The home of Fandango had been demolished, just as a representative of owner Dr. Gary Kompothecras had indicated it would be before the end of May. Continued on page 39

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The new sergeant introduces himself and the buzz Rachel Brown Hackney about all the cop cars on June 4 By SarasotaNewsLeader.com During the May 22 membership meeting of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the new leader of the Sheriff’s Office substation on the Key introduced himself.

His first official day on the Key was May 2, Sgt. Arik Smith told the group of about 20 people.

He has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2006, he continued, having served with the Patrol and Tactical divisions. He spent a little more than six years in undercover work with the Narcotics section, Smith added.

He and the previous substation leader, Lt. Paul Cernansky, have very similar philosophies about managing Sheriff’s Office operations on the island, Smith said. “If you guys were satisfied with Paul, hopefully, you guys will also be satisfied with me.”

Smith then noted that, from the Sheriff’s Office’s standpoint, spring break on the Key was “very successful. … Crime was down,” with few arrests, he noted.

“The biggest issue” in terms of crime on the island, Smith said, is vehicle burglaries, “and it’s extremely preventable. You lock your doors.”

Young people, especially, he pointed out, will check the door handles of vehicles. If they find one with the doors unlocked, Smith said, then they will look inside for items of value that they can take.

“Lock your doors,” he emphasized again.

“It really makes a huge difference — just that simple act of keeping your doors locked.”

He encouraged business owners to, in turn, encourage their patrons to keep vehicle doors locked.

Wrapping up his comments, Smith told the group, “I’m excited to be here, and I hope it can last a long time.”

“Until you make lieutenant,” Michael Shay, manager of the Siesta Village maintenance, responded, referring to Cernansky’s monthslong stint as substation leader before Cernansky was promoted.

Smith laughed, telling Shay that any chance of Smith’s moving up to lieutenant is “down the road.”

Then Shay took the opportunity to ask whether Sheriff’s Office personnel find that most of the vehicle burglaries occur in the Siesta Public Beach parking lot.

No, they do not, Smith replied. “The ones we’re running into,” he continued, occur behind businesses and in residential areas where it is much darker and few people are around. He called the incidents “crimes of opportunity.”

The buzz about all the cop cars on June 4 During the June Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, President Catherine Luckner lamented the absence of the new Sheriff’s

Sgt. Arik Smith addresses Siesta Chamber members on May 22. Photo by Rachel Hackney

Office substation leader, Sgt. Arik Smith.

(Smith had told the SNL in late May that he would be out of town and unable to attend the meeting, but he had hoped to send someone in his place.)

The primary reason she was disappointed, Luckner said, was that she was curious about an incident that occurred on the north end of the island on June 4. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter was flying around, she noted, and she saw about seven law enforcement officers. “They had surrounded something.”

She was hoping to hear the scoop from Smith.

New SKA Director Eddie Ward replied that he heard that teenagers had stolen a vehicle off the island and then led the law enforcement officers on a chase over to Siesta.

SNL contacted Kaitlyn R. Perez, community affairs director for the Sheriff’s Office, to request a report of the incident.

On June 10, she responded that four arrests were made on June 4 as a result of what transpired that evening.

“Three of the four arrestees are juveniles,” she added; they were charged with a misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest.

Because they are juveniles, Perez pointed out, she was unable to provide the reports regarding their involvement in the case.

However, she did send the report for the fourth person arrested, who was identified as Lequavious Amon Claridy, 20, of Sarasota.

He was charged with a misdemeanor count of Resisting without Violence.

His Corrections Division record listed his occupation as “Cook.”

He was placed under $500 bond. His arraignment was set for June 24.

The incident was reported at 7:50 p.m. on June 4, the report says. Claridy’s arrest was recorded at 8:09 p.m. at the intersection of Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue, the report notes.

The deputy who wrote the report said that he responded to a call about a burglary. A woman had notified the Sheriff’s Office that she had observed five people inside the home of a person who was out of town, the report continues.

When the deputy arrived, the report adds, the woman flagged him down to say she had seen the suspects on the beach.

“As I approached the end of Shell Road and made my way onto the beach to check the area behind the residence where the suspects had been seen,” the deputy wrote, “I observed multiple subjects down the beach matching the complainant’s description.”

As the deputy began walking south toward the suspects, the report says, “they immediately started running east towards the residence.” The deputy pursued them on foot, giving them “loud verbal commands to stop, but they continued to run east from me,” the deputy wrote.

The deputy then saw several of them get into a black Chevy Impala and drive “away at a high rate of speed.”

One of them, who had not made it to the car, continued to run from the deputy, the report notes. However, the deputy lost sight of that person at 4043 Shell Road, the report says.

The deputy checked the immediate area with the help of the Sheriff’s Office helicopter Air 2, the report adds, but the deputy was unable to locate the person.

Then, a sergeant and another deputy with the Sheriff’s Office spotted the Impala on Siesta Drive at the Higel Avenue intersection, the report says, and they stopped it. They took the four suspects they found inside the vehicle to the Sheriff’s Office, the report notes, where the officers contacted the parents and guardians of the juvenile suspects.

One suspect was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the report says, so that person could get “medially cleared due to smoking marijuana.”

All then were transported to the jail “on charges of resisting arrest without violence,” the report notes.

A deputy later spoke to the owner of the residence where the complainant first reported seeing the suspects, the report adds.

The victim did not wish to be identified, the report says, referencing a state law that recently went into effect.

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Sheriff’s Report May 21 - June 17, 2019 5/21/19 Burglary Residence Location Withheld

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A vacant home on the market to be sold was burglarized. The home has a lockbox with a key inside on the front door to allow realtors to enter. The residence had been a rental in the past and tenants would gain access by the combo lockbox. The combination had never been changed. It is unknown how many people had access to the home. No forced entry was found and the key was missing from the box. Two beds had been taken apart upstairs but had not been removed. A television ($300), Area rug ($200), Linens/Towels ($400) and a lamp ($100) were taken. There were no witnesses.

5/31/19 Burglary- Residential Location Withheld

5/26/19 Grand Theft 5200 Block Ocean Blvd.

A woman reported cash was stolen out of her wallet while visiting a Village bar. The $300 was taken when she dropped her wallet somewhere in the business. An unknown man later walked up to her friend and returned the wallet, stating,” There was no money in here.” The man left the bar area before he could be further questioned. Nothing else appeared to be missing from the wallet.

5/26/19 Grand Theft Location Withheld A bike valued at $530 was reported stolen from in front of the victim’s condo. The bike, a silver Expedition 3 speed, had been unlocked at the time.

5/29/19 Battery Public Beach A woman reported being in a confrontation with an unknown subject over a parking space at the main beach lot. She explained she was holding a spot when the suspect drove up and attempted to take the spot. An argument ensued and escalated when the suspect got out of her car and pushed the victim to the ground. The suspect left the scene before deputies arrived. The victim suffered slight bruising to her lower legs which had faded by the time of the report. She was able to provide a tag number, vehicle and suspect description and witness information.

5/29/19 Grand Theft Public Beach A man reported his vintage 1970’s Puch bicycle stolen from the Pavilion bike rack. The bike was valued at $325. There are no known suspects. The victim will provide a photo of the bike at a later time.

A couple reported a burglary at their home. They had left their home separately at different times but were both gone for approximately one hour, at which time the door was unlocked. When they returned, they noticed a few things missing but assumed they had misplaced the items. It wasn’t until they went to Publix and attempted to pay that the man noticed all the cash ($50) was gone out of his wallet. The woman said she was missing 2 bracelets and 2 “tarnish bags” containing miscellaneous silver items. The man was missing his rings and watches. DNA samples were submitted as evidence.

The assorted jewelry was valued at approximately $2550.

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6/3/19 Grand Theft Public Beach A man reported his wallet was stolen out of his backpack during the time he visited the beach.

The pack had been left unattended at various times.

He also reported the credit card that was stolen had incurred two fraudulent charges after the theft had occurred. A charge of $158 was made at a Bradenton 7-11 and a charge of $58 was made at a Bradenton Ross department store. The wallet also contained $250 cash and a driver’s license.

6/5/19 Burglary – Business 700 Block Beach Rd. A motel employee reported a burglary. He said a screen had been pushed in on a shed door between midnight and 8 a.m. The employee stated he usually leaves the door window open in the shed and the door locked. He said it appeared someone had pushed the window screen in and reached in to unlock the door. He said there was nothing of value inside and it appeared nothing was missing.

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Off Key

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

By Robert Frederickson

Fear and Loathing off the Sarasota Coast News reports of the charter boat captain working out of Marina Jacks who allegedly refused to bring his passengers back in to shore after an altercation over a can of beer read like a Carl Hiassen novel...

It had with all the ingredients of a classic 70’s era high seas tale.

Four family members heading out for a 12 hour fishing trip, enjoying a clear spring day until suddenly, like the turning of the tide, their day on the water turns into a fishing charter from hell, replete with an Ahab-esque captain allegedly drinking beer and snorting cocaine while squeezing off rounds from his revolver into the gulf from the flying bridge above the deck where his increasingly nervous passengers began to wonder if they’d ever make it back to shore... feeling more like the character in the Beach Boys’ song Sloop John B than voyagers on a pleasure cruise: “I feel so broke up, I wanna go home…”

But this was no novel, or story

From a Charter Gone Wrong to Glaciers Reborn

in a popular tune.

The tale was instead told in a Sarasota Police Department police report written after the captain finally returned to Marina Jacks after hours circling off shore in what one passenger suggested was an ultimately futile attempt by the seemingly deranged skipper to sober up before meeting his inevitable fate: arrest after SPD and the Coast Guard were alerted by 911 operators to a call from one of the terrified passengers that finally went through when the vessel came within range of one or more coastal cell towers.

In the aftermath, the family is out $2000 for their adventure.

As for the Captain? He bailed out of jail the next day. The Coast Guard later reported his license to operate had expired. Marina Jacks told him he was no longer welcome. For now it seems he’s in the wind, at least until possible court dates appear on the near horizon.

And for me, I just can’t get that Beach Boy’s tune out of my head...

“The Constable had to come and

TURTLE’S

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take him away...

Sheriff John Stone, why don’t you leave me alone?

Well, I feel so broke up, I want to go home.”

Do you Believe in Magic?...

I like roller coasters as much as the next guy; but would you stand in line 13 hours to ride one?

Me either.

But throngs of Muggles did just that with the opening of ‘Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure” at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando on June 13th. And judging by some of the comments on twitter, many thought the experience was well worth the investment in time.

“Hagrid exceeded my highest expectations, said one exuberant twitter poster. “I waited 13+ hours for it; I swear I’d never do that for anything else. What a revolutionary ride.”

Getting folks to stand in line for up to 13 hours for a four-minute ride? That’s the real magic.

Other Coming Attractions...

If standing in the Orlando heat all day doesn’t do it for you, a newly expanded Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in South Florida may be your ticket to a Las Vegas style entertainment experience just three-hours ‘offkey’ headed south on I-75. Yes, there’s a Hard Rock just up the road in Tampa, but the new construction at the Hollywood Florida location promises to take the company’s allinclusive entertainment concept to a new level.

The project’s new multi-story hotel harkens back to Florida’s golden age of eye-catching roadside attractions – albeit on a massive scale – borrowing the shape of a giant guitar for its 400-room facade.

Coming in the Fall, the $1.5 billion project (yes, that’s billion with a ‘b’) will be a one-stop destination for live entertainment, casino style gaming, dining and water side lounging featuring a lagoon size pool developers say will rival any Las Vegas pool party.

A free show named ‘The Oculus,’ encompassing sound, light and water will greet patrons inside the hotel.

In addition, 100 concerts and other entertainment productions

will be booked each year at an onsite concert venue larger than our own Van Wezel Auditorium. $125 million alone has been earmarked to assure audiences enjoy a worldclass entertainment experience at this high-tech, acoustically engineered venue. And you won’t have to deal with the usual parking lot woes of inching your way to US 41 after exiting a VW show... the idea being akin to a cruise ship experience on land: you can have dinner (at one of more than 25 restaurants on site) see your favorite band or performer at the Hard Rock, try your luck in the casino, and afterwards get a drink or late night snack before heading back to your room when you’re ready to call it a night.

The Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel is slated to open October 24th, but room reservations can be made beginning July 25th and tickets for the grand opening headliner, Maroon 5, can be purchased now online.

Out of this World Vacation Adventure...

Now if both theme parks and lavish resorts leave you yawning, NASA has a vacation guaranteed to lift your spirits. But it will cost you: a cool $50 million in airfare and $35,000 a night in room charges.

That will get you a room at the international space station with the ultimate view out your window, though other than that amenities are somewhat sparse and rooms a bit cramped.

I wonder if they have an AAA rate?

A Tale of Two Campaign Launches Donald Trump officially launched his 2020 reelection campaign in Orlando last week at the Amway Center in Orlando. The campaign reported it had received over 100,000 requests for tickets in the week prior to the event.

Amway’s capacity is 20,000.

Which likely explains why Democratic hopeful Joe Biden launched his campaign via video... to avoid a direct comparison with Trump’s proven ability to draw massive crowds. Indeed, at a recent Biden campaign rally in Iowa – heavily hyped by his communications folks with promises that the former vice

president would ‘eviscerate’ Trump at the event (he didn’t) – the crowd looked to be no larger than what one might expect for a Sarasota School Board meeting.

And as this disparity plays out in plain sight, major media outlets give heavy play to polls claiming Biden has a sizeable lead over the president (ahead by up to 13 points they say).

Right. Haven’t we seen this movie before?

Well, if you believe polls how about this one: A Monmouth poll found that 77% of Americans said that they believe major television and newspaper outlets report ‘fake news.’ That finding was up 14% from 2017.

How far have we fallen? Well, a Gallup poll taken way back in 1976 asked this question: “Do you have trust and confidence in the media?”

Back then 72% said yes.

It has reached the point where large numbers of Americans routinely dismiss the news they read or see on TV. Indeed, the cynicism has grown to the point where many have come to believe the exact opposite of what they’re asked to believe.

Another Inconvenient Truth Visitors to Glacier National Park in Montana in recent years have seen signs planted at glacier overlooks throughout the park with the somber news: “This Glacier Will Be Gone by 2020.”

But a funny thing happened on the way to oblivion: many of the glaciers deemed doomed have actually started to grow.

Imagine that.

So now many of those same signs have quietly been removed by park workers none-to-keen on promoting the inconvenient truth that everything in this life ebbs and flows, with nothing moving in a straight line for very long.

Dr. Richard I Roots reported recently that the Jackson Glacier, which can be seen from the park’s stunning Going-To-The-SunHighway, may have grown by up to 25 percent over the past 10 years.

But while major media players were quick to point to the doomsday signs when they went up, now, since they’ve started coming down...

Crickets.

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Detwiler’s Farm Market to open new store close to the Key

The newest Detwiler’s Farm Market is scheduled to open on the corner of Clark and Swift Roads late this year or early next year

The desire of consumers to purchase farm fresh and locally-grown food is more than just a trend—it’s the new norm.

As more and more Americans are coming to grips with the health risks associated with various additives, pesticides and GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) that are found in foods, they’re seeking out restaurants and markets where they can find the freshest, most natural products available. The timing has never been better for a new Detwiler’s Farm Market to open in Sarasota.

An official opening date has not yet been set, but the target has been set for January 2020, though the Detwiler family has said that they’re hoping to get lucky and open a little earlier. The newest Farm Market location is in the old Winn-Dixie site in the Merchants Pointe Shopping Center at 2881 Clark Road, on the corner of Clark and Swift Roads. It will be the fifth Detwiler market of its kind, following the original Palmer Blvd. location, one in Venice, another one on University Drive and the most recent one in Palmetto.

In 2002, the Detwiler family, which consists of parents Henry and Natalie and their nine now adult children, began to sell fresh fruits and vegetables on the side of the road in Sarasota.

Since opening their first Farm Market in 2008, they have concentrated on supporting nearby growers and the local economy by buying local, whenever possible.

Steven Larkin, one of the few non-Detwiler family members who works in the corporate offices, is their Director of Store Development.

He says that when the family was choosing the next site for one of their Farm Markets, both the location and the timing were considered.

“Most importantly, we’re looking to grow smart and service our customers,” he said.

“There’s no pressure at all to expand, so our conversation about this store was, ‘Is this really the right thing to do?’”

Once the conversation progressed to one about finding a good site to put a new market, Larkin and the Detwilers began to talk to Carl Ricker, the North Carolina-based businessman/developer who owns Merchants Pointe Shopping Center.

Ricker’s largest tenant there, Winn-Dixie, had declared bankruptcy and was shutting down their stores.

Ricker is one of the largest private real estate investors in the southeastern United States, and manages his properties through Asheville’s Azalea Management & Leasing, where he is the CEO. He says that after the Detwiler family contacted him about his soon-to-be vacant store at the shopping center, he went to see their operation in Palmetto, in order to find out how they conducted their business.

“I had numerous grocery stores that wanted to go in there, but after I saw what they were doing in Palmetto, they became my first choice,” he said. “The quality of stores they have and the way they treat their customers was important to me. I’ve been doing this a long time and I’m sort of known as a good person—once I really got to know the family,

I could tell that’s how they operated their business, too.”

The Detwiler family is very open about their faith, and the business decisions they make, from the benefits they offer their employees to their intense focus on making their Farm Markets as customer-centric as possible, reflect their strong belief in doing things the right way. When reconstruction is completed, the Merchants Pointe location will be almost 45,000 square feet, roughly the same size as the Palmetto store.

Within those walls will be some of the staples that Detwilers is known for, as well as a few newer additions that might be less familiar to regular shoppers, but will be just as welcomed.

“We’re primarily known for our produce, deli and bakery, but we’ve also been growing our seafood and meat departments,” Larkin said.

“The other thing that we’ve added for this store is about 1,500 square feet of wellness products like vitamins and supplements. And about one-third of the store will be fresh cut produce.

When you walk out that door, it will last for at least four days at your house.”

Of course, many times, that produce is organic, and the freshly baked breads at the bakery are also made with gluten-free options. No one ever said that great tasting food couldn’t also be healthy, even with today’s dietary concerns.

According to Carl Ricker, to go along with the opening of the new Detwiler’s location, he will be renovating the rest of Merchant’s Pointe.

While the American Grill & Hearth and Ace Hardware stores will remain, the remainder of the shopping center will be re-leased to new tenants and the overall look updated.

About 90 days prior to the Detwiler’s Farm Store’s opening, the family will hold a job fair, during which they plan to hire 100 full-time and 50 part-time employees to staff it. The company provides benefits that include profit sharing, quarterly bonuses and more. Follow Detwiler’s Facebook page and periodically check their website at https://www.detwilermarket.com to learn what date the job fair will be held.

Larkin said that fans of the Detwiler’s brand can expect more of the same at the new Sarasota location.

“We provide wonderful customer service and a wonderful product,” he said. “If you make a request, we will seek a way to fill that request right then. Our slogan here is, ‘Eat Fresh for Less,’ and we mean it.”

The Detwiler’s Farm Markets bake fresh breads each day

19

By Debbie Flessner

Detwiler’s Farm Market is known for their large selection of farm fresh produce

The Detwiler family proudly spoke about their plans for the new Sarasota farm store at a press event last month

One of the newest aspects of the Detwiler’s markets is their Health & Wellness sections, which offer a variety of vitamins and supplements

Both the Butcher Shops and the Fish Markets at all the Detwiler’s stores are going to be expanding this year

20

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Red tide stymies monitoring of offshore sea life required for Rachel Brown Hackney South Siesta Renourishment Project By SarasotaNewsLeader.com The severity of the red tide bloom that ended early this year significantly hampered the work of a Deerfield Beach consulting firm Sarasota County hired to monitor the impacts of the last South Siesta Renourishment Project.

“Conditions at Siesta Key were checked on October 29, 2018 but were not acceptable for underwater work,” the consultant, Coastal Eco-Group, wrote in a report detailing the situation in the nearshore hardbottom area close to the south Siesta shoreline. After late October 2018, further attempts were made to study four areas designated for the monitoring in the second year after the project was completed, the report explains, but each had little success.

Finally, even after the red tide bloom subsided, rough conditions in the Gulf of Mexico dropped visibility levels so low that mapping was not possible, the report says. The survey ultimately was terminated, the report adds.

Nonetheless, limited observations that divers were able to make in November and December 2018 found that “sponges had virtually disappeared from the benthic community,” and that that loss “is likely attributed to the prolonged red tide event in 2018.” The report did point out, though, that Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and Hurricane Michael in October 2018 might have dislodged some of the sponges.

Yet, “Harmful algal blooms have been linked to invertebrate die-offs including sponges,” as a result of prolonged periods of low oxygen levels, the report notes.

(The benthic zone is the lowest level of a body of water, including the sediment surface and some subsurface layers, the New World Encyclopedia explains. “Benthic zone provides an area for spawning, foraging, and refuge for various fish species ...”)

Dead and stressed corals that divers were able to observe also most likely were victims of the red tide bloom, the report indicates, as blooms deplete oxygen in the water.

One section of the report notes that corals did not appear to have suffered from coverage of sand associated with the renourishment initiative.

Later, the report references “the losses of large biota (sponges, octocorals and scleractinian corals) observed during the survey,” adding that the situation appeared “to be related to the effects of the severe red tide and storm dislodgement rather than burial from beach nourishment sand…”

The report focuses on the monitoring attempts for the second year — “Year 2 post-construction,” as it is referred to — following the April 2016 completion of the South Siesta Renourishment initiative. The survey was required by state and federal environmental officials in an effort to determine the effects of the project on sea creatures living offshore of the renourishment area.

In October 2015, the report points out, pre-construction surveys of three areas were completed, to serve as a baseline for the monitoring.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requires monitoring of nearshore hardbottom after renourishment projects because of the importance of hardbottom as an ecological resource.

An April 2018 FDEP document and other materials explain that nearshore hardbottom has the following functions: • It serves as a shelter and food resource for more than 1,000 recorded species of algae, invertebrates and vertebrates.

• It provides nursery areas.

• It provides spawning sites for more than 100 species of invertebrates and fish.

• It provides recreational opportunities — boating, fishing and diving.

• It dissipates wave energy that otherwise could cause erosion.

FDEP strives to protect nearshore hardbottom resources because of those reasons, the materials point out.

The Coastal Eco-Group report concludes that, based on the observations and results of the Year 2 post-construction survey, “it is unlikely that the current hardbottom monitoring program will be able to detect projectrelated effects” from the 2016 South Siesta Renourishment Project.

Still, the report says, the “Year 3 post-construction survey will provide valuable data on recovery of benthic communities, particularly sponges, octocorals, and scleractinian corals, following the red tide event and an overall status/ condition report of benthic communities adjacent to the beach nourishment project area.”

Monitoring plans The Coastal Echo-Group report explains that the Biological Monitoring Plan for the South Siesta Renourishment Project required annual surveys of hardbottom habitats updrift and downdrift of the area where approximately 749,238 cubic yards of sand was placed on the beach, between March 9 and April 2016. The sand was dredged from three offshore borrow areas, the report points out.

The project area extended from a rock revetment about 3,000 feet south of Point of Rocks to the southernmost house on Siesta Key, according to county staff.

For monitoring purposes, the plan designated three hardbottom areas: Point of Rocks, “Sanderling 2” and “Sanderling 3,” the report notes.

Additionally, the plan encompassed a fourth formation, referred to as Southern Hardbottom, which is located about 0.8 miles south of the southern limit of the renourishment project and approximately 500 feet offshore.

Point of Rocks is about half-a-mile north of the project boundary, while Sanderling 2 is about 150 feet offshore, between Point of Rocks and Sanderling 3, the report says.

Sanderling 3 is located approximately 350 feet offshore at the northern end of the beach fill area.

“The Immediate post-construction survey of all four hardbottom formations was completed … during the

Nesting update for the plovers After a batch of bad news in early May, subsequent reports on the Key’s snowy plovers have achieved highs and more lows.

On May 17, Kylie Wilson, program coordinator of Audubon Florida’s Bird Monitoring & Stewardship Program in Sarasota County, wrote in her weekly update, “We have another nest on Siesta! … It is likely a re-nest (second attempt after a failed nest) of the banded female,” whom Wilson and her volunteers call Green/White, or Ms. Sanibel.

“Using my camera I was able to see two eggs just barely poking up out of the nest bowl,” Wilson continued. “The third egg will hopefully be laid by the weekend and the female will begin incubating.”

In her May 23 update, Wilson wrote, “First off I just want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered so far this season.” Thanks to all of their help, she continued, more than 1,200 people have been “educated about the beach-nesting birds since April!!

The work you all do has a huge impact and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Truly I am so grateful to know all of you amazing people!”

Then Wilson reported, “Ms. Sanibel is still dutifully incubating her eggs ... The nest is kind of out in the open, which makes it really easy to show people while stewarding.”

If a steward has a spotting scope or binoculars, she added, the steward should try to use that equipment to show people the nest.

summer following project construction in May 2016,” the report notes.

The Biological Monitoring Plan called for three annual surveys, the report continues — during the first, second and third years after construction ended.

The first annual survey requirement was waived by FDEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the report says, “due to persistently poor in-water conditions following Hurricane Irma.”

Then, the report continues, “A severe red tide event began in southwest Florida in October 2017. The red tide persisted through the Summer of 2018 such that in-water surveys were not possible.”

After Hurricane Michael passed through the Gulf of Mexico in October 2018, the report points out, “red tide levels started to slowly decline in the waters of Sarasota County.”

Nonetheless, during multiple attempts through February of this year, divers had little success. Finally, the survey was terminated, the report points out.

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Miss Sanibel continues to incubate eggs on Siesta.

Photo by Kylie Wilson

“I took out the scope last weekend and it was amazing to see people light up when they realized there really is a bird nesting in there!!” Wilson continued. “This also lets people get a closer look without having to get too close.”

Then, in her May 30 update, Wilson noted that she had sad news about the snowy plovers.

“Ms. Sanibel’s second nest was predated over the weekend,” Wilson wrote. “Again, the culprit was likely Ghost Crabs. Snowy Plovers are such a vulnerable bird with so many predators.”

“Although it is disheartening to hear that another nest failed we shouldn’t give up hope!” she continued. “I

saw Ms. Sanibel and her mate copulating on Tuesday morning May 28 so they are still trying! The other pair of unbanded plovers has also been seen scraping in the same area so that will hopefully turn into our next nest.”

“Scraping” is exactly what the word implies, Wilson has explained. Since the birds nest right on the beach, they scrape the sand to create an indentation for eggs.

In her June 6 update, Wilson reported that the snowy plover known as Ms. Sanibel “laid a third nest over the previous weekend …” Volunteers discovered it on the morning of Saturday, June 1.

“Sadly, the one-egg nest was gone the following morning and there was a large ghost crab hole a few feet away,” Wilson continued.

Because Ms. Sanibel laid only one egg, Wilson pointed out, the plover “was likely to re-nest again and soon.”

Then Wilson pointed out, “Today another nest was discovered! This time … the plover is VERY well hidden. It is unclear if this nest is Ms. Sanibel’s,” Wilson continued, or if it belongs to the other female plover Wilson and volunteers have spotted on Siesta.

“The area where the nest is located is fortunately not used often by beachgoers since it is surrounded by thick grass,” she added. “Still, it will be the ideal spot for stewarding at this time.”

By June 13, though, the news had taken another bad turn: “Unfortunately there are no active nests on Siesta at this time,” Wilson wrote.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JULY 2019

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 26

VILLAGE MAP pgs 22 - 23

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 24

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

GULF GATE SHOPS pg 28 - 29

Siesta Key Drum Circle Every Sunday is a perfect time to come to the Key to reconnect with Mother Nature and to enjoy this collaborative community event. I’m talking about the Siesta Key Drum Circle that takes place each Sunday starting about an hour before sunset and lasting until about 10 p.m. The gathering meets up just south of the main pavilion - just follow your ears and watch for the swelling crowd.

Please note the following rules of etiquette that need to be observed at the Drum Circle so that all can enjoy the experience: the inside of the drum circle is for participants only, not for people

standing around. Feel free to enter the circle, take a picture and dance, but always keep moving. Never play someone’s drum without getting clearance from the owner. Always ask before borrowing other people’s property, especially hula hoops.

Flash photography and bright video lights are distracting, so photograph during daylight or use a night vision camera. And finally, please do not drink alcohol or smoke inside the circle and respect our beach by placing all trash in the appropriate receptacles. Photo by Jane Dough as shared in Siesta Key Drum Circle Facebook page.

Don’t Waste Your Island Time Crossing Bridges!

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

21

22

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

Summer Beach Runs 2019 Sarasota Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources kicks off the first of many Kids’ Summer Beach Runs on spectacular Siesta Beach. The one-mile fun runs are an opportunity for kids and families to participate in healthy activities together over the summer. The free Kids’ Summer Beach Runs are offered weekly each Tuesday, June 4 through July 30, on Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key except Tuesday, July 2.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. near the playground at Siesta Beach. Kids who complete four runs receive a

www.siestasand.net

By Trebor Britt

free T-shirt. All runners receive a finisher ribbon after every race. Kids’ Summer Beach Runs are presented

by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, Sarasota Crew, New Balance of Sarasota and Kiwanis Club. Additional sponsors include the Manasota Track Club and Mommy Magazine. If you’ve never joined the hundreds who participate, you’re just not cool. For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.

Nearly 400 enthusiastic runners of all ages leave the starting line for the first of many mile long Summer Beach Runs along the shoreline of fabulous Siesta Beach.

Longtime sponsors and volunteers of the Manasota Track Club, Scott Ventura, Guy Ealey, Dan Pollock, and Paul Wilson. They are responsible for measuring the run distances as well as providing the start/finish line, timer and key announcements

Members of “The V Pack” surround widow, Sue Johnson (white shorts) before this year’s first Summer Beach Run. For the past two years the first run of the season has been dedicated to the memory of Mickey Johnson, who died after being hit by a motorist while riding his bicycle. Johnson was a dedicated runner and volunteer of all the races.

The Jester family, Matthew (13), Jody, Kristina (12), Brittany (15) and Gretchen (12) of Sarasota rarely miss participating in the Summer Beach Runs

Map D #11

ACCOMMODATIONS Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa.......... Map-A #38A ART GALLERY / STUDIO The Gallery on Siesta Key............. Map-D #11 ATM / BANKS Martin Funding................................. Map-E #1 PNC ATM.........................................Map-C #61 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.................... Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blaśe Café....................................... Map-A #38 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 My Village Pub......................... Map-C #53/54 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub-Baja Grill......................... Map-D #59

Map B #42

COFFEE SHOPS LeLu’s Coffee Lounge...................Map-B #31 The Local Bean............................... Map-D #62 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 Everything But Water.................... Map-D #12 Foxy Lady Fashions...................... Map-A #40 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions.........Map-B #44 Island Boutique............................... Map-B #50 Island Style.......................................Map-C #53 Marley Vibes..................................... Map-D #9 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 #11 Siesta Kids........................................ Map-B #36

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

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Map D #62

Organic and Fair Trade Coffees & Teas Cold Pressed Coffee Organic Smoothies Light Lunch (Salads & Sandwiches) Breakfast Sandwiches, Bagels & Lox Local Pastries Free Snacks

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 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65 LeLu’s Coffee Lounge...................Map-B #31 The Local Bean............................... Map-D #62 JEWELRY Created Gems..................................Map-C #51 Mount -N- Repair Jewelers............. Map-D #9 LIQUOR STORES / FINE WINES Gabbiano’s Wine Club................. Map-D #70 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 Siesta Key Wine Bar........................Map-C #61 Siesta Village Liquors.................. Map-C #26 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

At The Beach

JULY 2019

23

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Photos by Trebor Britt

Left: New friends, Maddy Edwards (5) of Fort Worth, TX and Isabella Taraj (18 months) of Sarasota jointly carry water from the Gulf of Mexico to a special spot on one of the nation’s kid friendliest shorelines, Siesta Beach Center: BFF’s, Mackenzie Getchell, Sam Milligan, and Raina Chin-Yee of Sarasota enjoying a late afternoon on the soft powdery sands of Siesta Beach.

Sam will be attending Ringling School of Art + Design and Raina will start her nursing curriculum at the University of Central Florida Right: Former Sarasota resident, Tone Tata, now of West Palm, having fun in the sun while demonstrating his outstanding skill juggling clubs on the soft sands of Siesta Beach

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39

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

Map D #64

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 Siesta Village Dentistry................. Map-D #63 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce................. Map-D #67 Roberti Enterprises........................ Map-A #39 Tarot Card Reading & Gifts........... Map-B #50 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Edward Jones Investments........... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................Map-E 74 REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Coldwell Banker Realty................. Map-D #20 Keller Williams Real Estate........... Map-D #11 Key Realty.........................................Map-E #5 Michael Saunders Realty..............Map-E #72 ReMax Alliance Group................ Map-C #29 Tropical Sands Accommodations.....Map-D #67 RentSiestaKey.com........................... Map-D #9 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate.... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental Prop.................. Map-D #10

48 47 46

RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg..............Map-C #54 & 55 Big Water Fish Market, N............ Map-D #15 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 LeLu’s Coffee Bar...........................Map-B #31 Lobster Pot...................................... Map-C #23 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 Star Thai Sushi............... Map-D #17 & 18 Village Café.................................... Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY LaPlaya Spa......................................Map-C #50 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

Birkenstock & More Bringing you quality and comfort for more than 40 years!

5128 Ocean Blvd. Siesta Village

941-346-7425 www.rickscomfortshoes.com

Gift Certificates Available

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

24

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

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

941.349.0194

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

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 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 MISCELLANEOUS Moving & Storage....................................B-3 #10 Flowers by Fudgie................................... D-3 #17 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 A Taste of Germany................................ C-3#14

www.siestasand.net

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill...............A-5 #12 Capt. Curts Crab & Oyster Bar.................B-3 #7 City Pizza Italian Restaurant................. D-3 #17 Clayton’s Siesta Grille...............................B-3 #9 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

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941-346-0202

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6551 Midnight Pass Road Southbridge Mall Siesta Key, FL 34242

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GERMAN BAKERY & CAFE German café offering fresh soups and sandwiches on freshly baked breads!

Rum Cakes Breakfast Lunch German Beers and Brats

941-346-1800 • www.ATasteofGermany.net 6575 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key (South of Stickney Pt.)

Map C-3 #14

Map B-3#8

A Taste of Germany 6575 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-5 #12

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-3 #4

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

Crescent Beach Grocery 1211 Old Stickney Pt. Rd.

MAP B-3 #1

Siesta 4-Rent 6555 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Toasted Mango Cafe 6621 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-4 #17

MAP C-3 #17

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JULY 2019

Snapshots of Island Visitors

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

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Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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1. Heather, John, Colton, Kathy, &Susan from TN 2. Trevor, Alexis, Ashlon, & Grayson from GA 3. Leona, Kim, & Wanda from CT 4. Cole age 6 & Elise age 2 from MO 5. Shannon & Madeline from IL 6. Jack age 19 months, Justin, Laura, & Henry age 4 from OH 7. Jack age 19 months & Henry age 4 from OH 8. Kyle & Amanda from IL 9. Kyan age 6 and Bryson age 4 from IL 10. Brooklyn age 6, Bianca age 4, Blake age 4, and Beckett age 10 months from IL

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JULY 2019

Siesta Sounds

941.349.0194

By Charmaine Engelsman-Robins player Andrew Glasgow, and guitarist Thomas Bentley. (And … BONUS … they are followed on both dates by The Bird Tribe playing from 6 to 10 p.m.)

Music so permeates their lives and relationships that it only seems natural for it to include their home life as well. “Matthew and I live in a house in the woods,” Emily tells, “and it’s so inspiring.

I might wake up in the morning to the sounds of nature mixed with the sound of Matthew playing the piano. It’s a great space.” (It’s also home to Birdhouse Studio, where Frost & Ross hope to record their first EP this summer with Matthew and Damon serving as sound engineers. Emily’s solo album (which will debut this fall) was also recorded at Birdhouse Studio.

In the future, Emily says they’re hoping to do some traveling. Playing listening room home concerts seems a natural, and they’d love to do “a small tour performing at State Parks.” But right now, you can hear them at Gilligan’s on July 14 and 21 and see what you think of these carefully crafted songs from two very gifted individuals.

“We’re two very different songwriters who fit together well,” Emily says. Asked to name a few of her favorites from their originals, she is quick to tick off Wait for the Sun, Tea for Two, River Pine, and Brand New (the last two can be heard on the Frost & Ross Facebook page).

On a separate Facebook page, The Music of Emily Ross, you can hear original All for You and a cover of Til It Happens to You, plus a great video of her first ever studio performance (from the Tampa Sessions) performing Rise live. (It’s fabulous!) Finally, if you’d like a good helping of Emily’s solo talent, go to www.emilyrossmusic. com to check out her seven-song album.

And just in case you missed our interview with Matthew Frost of The Bird Tribe (https:// siestasand.net/tag/live-music-on-siestakey/), you can find more great music at www. thebirdtribe.com or on their Facebook page.

So now you have the full picture of the talent you’ll find at Gilligan’s on July 14 and 21 when Frost & Ross perform from 1 to 5 p.m., followed

by The Bird Tribe from 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy!

For your listening pleasure: Frost & Ross (and then some!)

Every once in a while, I have the good fortune to meet someone who is absolutely in love with music and with making it. Just the way their voice sounds when they talk about it is a giveaway, along with the less subtle hints, like who they listen to and admire. Interestingly, I picked up on this several months ago when interviewing Matthew Frost of The Bird Tribe for the October 2018 issue, and then again recently when I spoke with Emily Ross, a delightful person in her own right, who just happens to be Matthew’s partner in life and in a new music venture.

A soloist/songwriter creating her own special sound (www.emilyrossmusic.com ) while also encouraging Matthew in his work with The Bird Tribe and other projects, Emily Ross and Matthew Frost also perform together as the Frost & Ross duo. When they decided to combine talents as well as households, they were almost immediately appreciated and embraced by audiences who were ready for the kind of music Frost & Ross write: intricate melodies and harmonies that work well in both their more upbeat, dance-flavored songs and the slightly heavier sound that guides the slower, more thoughtful offerings.

The fact that they have a strong following for their work and a supportive club (Gilligan’s) where they can perform in what Emily describes as “a listening room-esque” atmosphere has certainly encouraged them to continue honing their prolific writing chops and performance growth. Some of their favorite influences include such diverse sounds as Coldplay, Radiohead, and Zero 7 and classics Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, so you will probably pick up on what Emily calls “bits and pieces of those flavors” in their originals. Not many clubs are receptive to bands who play all original music, so the duo and their fans count themselves lucky to be welcomed back time after time to this wonderful inside venue in the heart of the Village on Siesta Key. The gig has grown strong enough that on July 14 and 21, from 1 to 5 p.m., listeners will get an extra measure of music when Frost & Ross perform with their new band; friends Damon Owens on drums, bass

CLUB

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

CLOSED MONDAYS

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

Dana Lawrence(2 ONLY) CLOSED REST OF MONTH 7‐10 PM

Evan Eastmoore 7‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC (4 ) th Sandi Grecco (11 ) Troy Nichols (18 & 25) 7‐10 PM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Callie & The Whole Band 7‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ TJ (10 PM)

th

GILLIGANS In the Village 941-346-8122

Rodney Shenk: 6‐10 PM

RPM LIVE: 6‐10 PM

6‐10 PM Deven Starr (3, 17 & 31) Mike Tozier (10 & 24)

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

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

THURSDAY th

nd

BLASE CAFÉ In the Village 941-349-9822

1‐5 PM: Brek Milo ( 2 & 30) J. Gilton (9 & 23) th Vince Berardi (16 ) Open mic night 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: Sandi Grecco (152, & 29) Vince Berardi (8 & 22) Al Donadi 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: Deven Starr (3,17, & 31) Frankie Ray (10 & 24) Kettle of Fish 7‐11 PM

1 PM th Chris Otto (4 only) RPM LIVE ‐ 6‐10 PM DJ Nate – 10 PM

1‐5 PM: Dana & Co. FolkLab 7‐11 PM

1 PM: Frankie (5 ) th Chris Otto (12 ) th 6‐10 PM: Kettle of Fish (5 ) th Kid Memphis (12 ) th Strange (26 ) DJ KConn – 10 PM

THE COTTAGE In the Village 941-312-9300 THE HUB‐BAJA GRILL In the Village 941-349-6800

Karaoke Mondays 9 PM – Midnight

Kid Memphis Trio (6,13 & 20) th T‐Bone Trio (27 ) 7‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC BREE (3‐7 PM) (3‐7 PM) DJ K Conn (10 PM) th th 1 PM: Dana Lawrence (6 ) 1 PM: Kid Memphis (7 ) rd DYMD (13, & 20) Skyway (28 ) th Kid Memphis (27 ) 6 PM 6‐10 PM: Skyway (13 & 20) Bird Tribe (14,21, & 28) th Bird Tribe (6 & 27) Skyway (7 ) DJ KConn – 10 PM DJ Tuesday – 10 PM

2‐6 PM Whiteleather 8‐Midnight th Big Daddy (5 ) th Nick LeValley (12 ) th Deven Starr (19 ) th Jason Leigh (26 )

DJ Coz or DJ Kensi 9 PM – 2 AM

DJ Coz & DJ Xtreme 10 PM

8‐11 PM: TL (5 ) th Tropical Ave (12 ) th Actual Bank Robbers (19 ) th Mixed Signal (26 ) Live DJ: 11 PM‐2 AM

11 AM – 2 PM 10 AM ‐ 1 PM th Brek Milo (6 ) Vince Colaiocco (7 & 21) th Evan Eastmoore (13 ) Mike Tozier (14 & 28) Deven Starr (20 & 27) 2‐6 PM th th 3‐7 PM: Audio Orchid (6 ) Jordy (7 ) th Danny Fox (13 ) Chris Connolly (14,21,28) th Evan Eastmoore (20 ) 7 ‐11 PM: th Blu Mason Band (27 ) Hatley (7 & 21) Mike Tozier The Whole Band 8‐Midnight (14 & 28) th 8 – 11 PM: 22N (6 ) 7‐11 PM th Stereo FM (13 ) th Live Music (7 ) th Sweet Spot (20 ) th Nick LeValley (14 ) th No Filter (27 ) Live Music (21 & 28) DJ Kensi: 11 PM – 2 AM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

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

SUNDAY 7‐10 PM th Zooey & Gustav (7 ) th Papa Foxtrot (14 ) Pedro & Zooey (21 & 28)

Eddie James Jazz Band 7‐10 PM

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THE BEACH CLUB In the Village 941-349-6311

www.siestasand.net

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

Mike T or Kevin Thompson 5‐9 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

Dami Caines or John Patti 5‐8:30 PM

RPM 5‐9 PM

Bri Rivera 5‐9 PM

Vince Barardi 5‐9 PM

Jokers Duo or Frankie Lombardi 5‐9 PM

Desi Adams 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

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

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JULY 2019

Island Humor There was a competition to swim from Santa Monica to Catalina doing only the breaststroke, and the three women who entered the race were a brunette, a redhead and a blonde.

After approximately 14 hours, the brunette staggered up on the shore and was declared the fastest breaststroker.

About 40 minutes later, the redhead crawled on shore and was declared the second place finisher.

Nearly 8 hours after that, the blonde finally came ashore and promptly collapsed in front of the worried onlookers.

When the reporters asked why it took her so long to complete the race, she replied: “I don’t want to sound like a sore loser, but I think those two other girls were using their arms.”

Two young men from up in Minnesota were looking at a Sears catalog and admiring the models.

Ole says to the Sven, “Have you seen the beautiful girls in this catalog?”

Sven replies, “Yes, they are very

beautiful. And look at the price!”

Oles says, with wide eyes, “Wow, they aren’t very expensive.

At this price, I’m buying one.”

Sven smiles and pats him on the back, “Good idea! Order one and if she’s as beautiful as she is in the catalog, I will get one too.”

Three weeks later, Sven asks his friend Ole, “Did you ever receive the girl you ordered from the Sears catalog?”

Ole replies, “No, but it shouldn’t be long now. I got her clothes yesterday!”

A taxi passenger taps the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screams, loses control of the car, nearly hits a bus, goes up on the footpath, and stops centimeters from a shop window. For a second, everything goes quiet in the cab, then the driver says, “Look mate, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!” The passenger apologizes and says, “I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much.”

The driver replies, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE...

MLB/College Packages FULL BAR

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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Waterfront dining on Siesta Key first day as a cab driver. I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years.”

Jim, Scott and Alex are tired after traveling all day and check into a hotel. When they get to reception, they find out they’ll have to walk 75 flights of stairs to get to their room because the elevator is out of order. Jim suggests that they do something interesting to pass time while they walk the 75 flights.

Jim will tell jokes, Scott will sing songs, and Alex will tell sad stories.

So Jim tells jokes for 25 flights, Scott sings songs for 25 flights and Alex tells sad stories for 24 flights. When they reach the 75th floor, Alex tells his saddest story of all, “Guys, I left our room key at reception.”

Turtles Restaurant on Little Sarasota Bay on Siesta Key has been around since 1986. Diners experience a spectacular view of the Bay and water anywhere in and outside the restaurant. They are also within close proximity to Siesta Key’s Turtle Beach. If you “time” your happy hour (3 p.m. – 6 p.m. daily) or dinner just right, you can take a short walk over to the beach on the gulf side of Siesta Key and watch an awe-inspiring sunset, before or after dinner.

Manager Alex Ortega says, “It is our goal to combine the charm of the romantic waterfront setting with only the freshest seafood and fine cuisine at reasonable prices.” Serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m., the restaurant is located at 8875 Midnight Pass Road, 941-346-2207.

Photo Credit: TripAdvisor.

If money doesn’t grow on trees, why do banks have branches?

Once there was a farmer that was very protective of his three daughters. When they told him they were going to go out on dates one night, the farmer decided to wait outside with a shotgun. The first boy arrived for the first daughter, and he said, “Hi, my name is Freddy. I’m here for Betty. We’re going for spaghetti. Is she ready?”

The farmer decided he was decent enough, and let them go. The second boy arrived for the second daughter, and said, “Hi, my name is Joe. I’m here for Flo. We’re going to a show. Is she good to go?” Again, the farmer decided he was decent enough and let them go. Finally, the last boy came, and he said, “Hi, my name is Chuck...” and the farmer shot him.

Two salesmen were going door to door, and knocked on the door of a woman who was not happy to see them. She told them in no uncertain terms that she did not want to hear their offer and slammed the door in their faces. To her surprise, however, the door did not close and, in fact, bounced back open. She tried again, really put her back into it, and slammed the door again with the same result - the door bounced back open. Convinced these rude salesmen were sticking their foot in the door, she reared back to give it a slam that would teach them a lesson, when one of the men said: “Ma’am, before you do that again, you need to move your cat.”

Karaoke Thursday, Friday & Saturday

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Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

John Garner

Roberts Realty

Broker Associate

Diane Shane Broker Associate

941-924-2330

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

We are with you every step of the way!

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

MORE THAN 100 OPTIONS TO NATURALLY RELIEVE YOUR PAIN, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION • The largest and most reliable CBD selection in Sarasota - with over 100 affordable CBD options for your family - and pets!

• FREE one-on-one consultations with health experts

S-19

• Legal in all 50 states and available without prescription

6557 SUPERIOR AVENUE SARASOTA, FL • 34231 OPEN TUESDAY – FRIDAY 10-6 PM SATURDAY 10-4 PM

COMMUNITY FOR HEALTH + WELLNESS

941.312.5630 WILDGINGERAPOTHECARY.COM

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DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE 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 flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves.

Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach to grooming with a precise attention to personal detail. Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. – Fri. 8:30am – 6pm, Sat., 8:30am – 3pm.

Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Sarasota Brewing Co. (G-4) Sarasota’s first micro brew pub always has something new to offer. From over 20 seasonal beers that rotate throughout the year, the Brewing Company always has at least five unique brews online as well as several favorites from around the world. Established in 1989, their menu has been a winner in the Reader’s Choice Awards of the Sarasota Herald Tribune featuring their mouth-watering burgers, Chicago style Pizzas, and Chicago beef sandwiches. With dozens of televisions, it’s a great place to catch a game with friends and family.

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

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

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At the original Word of Mouth Restaurant (G-31), every seemingly insignificant detail receives special attention from the warm, inviting decor to each specially crafted variety of freshly baked muffins to the signature menu items. This small diner is where the locals come to eat breakfast and lunch. Take a look at their menu at originalwordofmouth.com.

Hours: Mon-Sun.: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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

West End Pub (G-49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bring your own restaurant or deli food? Right here. 6500 Gateway Ave. – 941554-8905.

Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food - Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works...dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot. All served in true Authentic Chicago Style.

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© Island Visitor Publishing, LLC 2018

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Panera Bread

Marshall’s

Bed Bath & Beyond

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

Ross

Dress for Less

Iberia Bank

Five Below 1

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S30 S29 S28 S27 S26 S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 S19 S18 S17 S16 S15 S14 S13 S12 S11 S10 S9 S8

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Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

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PICCOLO

SRQ

Italian Market & Deli

FREE FRAMES While Supply Lasts Pay For Lenses Only

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See Us For EYEWEAR REPAIR

Authentic New York Italian Market & Deli We carry a full line of Imported Cheeses, Boars Head Luncheon Meats, Pasta, Olive Oil, Assorted Imported Olives, Khorasan Wheat (ancient & organic grain), and more.

GG-46 G-47 Specialty Italian gourmet items without the gourmet price

Come See Our New Location

6541 Superior Avenue

Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am - 6pm 6518 Gateway Ave.

941.444.7984

www.PiccoloMarket.com

SARASOTA

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THE SHOP SRQ 6625 Gateway Ave.

G-2

“We Straight Razor Shave” 15 Years + Experience

www.TheShopSrq.com

& Vegetarian Sandwiches

OPENING SPECIAL

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Traditional, Old School Barber Shop

Hot or Cold

S-16

G16 G15

G2

G24

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

G23 G22 G21 G20 G19 G18 G17

Superior Avenue

Books-AMillion

Beall’s Outlet

Mall Mall Drive Drive

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

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

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

Michaels

Gateway Avenue

941-925-2400

Hooters

Sun Trust

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

Publix

Sarasota Pavilion is a popular shopping destination for numerous locals and visitors alike. Its prime location is close enough to the island for frequent trips with a nice selection of chain stores set in one convenient location.

But what truly lends to the uniqueness of this district is the host of small, locally owned, specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, and neighborhood bars bordering this pavilion. It makes for a fun and rewarding shopping experience.

Over 150 businesses make up this district.

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Eat Where The Locals Eat!

Stein Mart

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

M7

M6

M5 M4 M3 M2 M1

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G-31

www.siestasand.net

941-923-2202

941.626.4894 / 941.536.1656 • No Appointment Needed •

TONSORIAL ARTISTRY

BY ERICK & DAWN

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

S-34

Catering Available

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

941.926.0099

COUPON

FREE SIDE With the purchase of ANY entreé

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JULY 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Sarasota Garden Club District VIII Meeting Sarasota Garden Club hosted the Spring Meeting in STYLE! Co-Chairs, Sue Angle, Emily Yaffe, and their committees created a wildflower delight with the windows on the gardens, colorful centerpieces, garden tours, and food that all spoke spring in our gardens. Even our dessert had butterfly and bumblebee decorations.

The Sarasota Military Academy posted the colors, and blessings were delivered by Rev Dr. McConnell. We were happy to have our Mayor Liz Alpert bring the greetings of the city. The podium was graced by our FFGC newly installed Al Latina.

One hundred twenty-five members were in attendance

Mayor Liz Alpert

from almost all our 24 clubs in District VIII which covers counties from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota. Many presidents reported on activities in their clubs with invitations to 90th Anniversary parties and Blue Star Dedications. Many awards were given, and Congratulations go to six District VIII clubs for winning National Garden Club Flower Show Awards. Sarasota Garden Club garnered the NGC Club Standard Flower Show Award for “Pirates in Paradise”. A standing ovation for the chair, Dianne Beaver… It was so exciting to see our sister clubs bring home fabulous awards for Garden Club of the Year, Award of Excellence, Website, Facebook, Garden

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Tours and so many more…There is a reason we are called the “Great 8”. Such an exciting time to see all the hard work of the past year end in glory with the abundance of awards!

The best Award of all went to District VIII under the leadership of Christy Linke and her team who won NGC’s District Standard Flower Show award for “Happiest Place on Earth.” What a terrific show and well-deserved accolades!

The day was not all awards and hoopla as we heard from our Motivational Speaker, Rebecca Tasetano, who told us about how to be a Wildflower. She dramatically improvised a conversation with the bees, butterflies, and wildflowers.

Submitted by Barbara Rao, District VIII Director.

Rebecca Tasetano

Barbara Rao and Christy Linke

Al Latina

Sarasota Military Academy

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

Continued from the previous page

Wild Ginger Apothecary (S-19) has been successfully providing sustainable, ethically produced, and nontoxic products for beauty, home and nutrition to the health conscious consumers of Sarasota since October of 2014.

Their latest offerings is a CBD Boutique area featuring hundreds of hemp and CBD products.

Wild Ginger Apothecary also offers classes and workshops for a variety of audiences on topics that cover lifestyle, creativity, health, and more in the Studio

G-4

+ Lounge. Z6557 Superior Ave. 941-312-5630, www. woldgingerapothecary.com Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-32): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their recipes and techniques have been perfected through three long generations based on the traditional simplicity of the methods used by their Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m.6670 Superior Ave., 941924-5800.

Pride of the South (S-34) Pride of the South has been awarded Top Barbeque in Sarasota for 2016 by Trip Advisor and Yelp.

It has been awarded for the best Southern Hospitality. Pride of the South has a brisket BLT, hands down, one of the best sandwiches you ever tasted. The smoked chicken wings are unbelievable.

Backed up with the pulled pork sandwiches, the smoked bologna, the smoked Turkey, the collard greens, fried corn on the cob, fried okra, fried green tomatoes and one of the best mac n cheese you ever tasted. We do catering with no limit to size. Call (941)926-0099. See you soon.

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

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

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

Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. -

Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.).

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

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

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

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

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

Only For Eyes, Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Experienced licensed optician available to fill your prescription. In their opening month they will have a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses.

Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with licensed optician.

Island Churches: • Siesta Key Chapel, Presbyterian (USA) 4615 Gleason Ave, Siesta Key, 941-349-1166 www.siestakeychapel.org • St. Michael’s Catholic Church 5394 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, 941-349-4174 www.stmichaelssiesta.com • St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, 941-349-5616 www.bonifacechurch.org Off- Island: •Temple Sinai, a Reform Congregation (The closest Jewish congregation to the Key for visitors) 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, 941-924-1802 www.templesinai-sarasota.org • St. Andrew United Church of Christ (Protestant) (In the Gulf Gate area, near Beneva and Gulf Gate Drive) 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota, 941.922.7595 www.uccstandrew.org • The Superior Word - Rev. Charlie Garrett Service starts Sunday mornings at 10am.

Bring a friend and share in God’s word.

6512 Superior Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231 • First Christian Church 7601 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241. 941-922-4434 www.fccsarasota.com

simple cremations

790

$

simple burials

1,195

$

Online arrangements available Sarasota (941) 312-6371 | Manatee (941) 213-9234 SoundChoiceCremation.com

30

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Siesta Key Marina hosts Riverview Fishing Charity event Siesta Key Marina was host of this year’s Ram Grouper/ Snapper Shootout Event that took place on June 15th to support the Ram Nation Aquascience program at Riverview High School.

According to their website, Ram Nation Aquascience is one of the most robust research and educational experiences offered in Florida. Students gain experience with real, hands on science; teaching and educating the community

and other students, and learn to be environmentally conscientious citizens.

Winners of the contest were as follows: • Team LaGassee Utilities won the Snapper Shootout portion of the contest, coming in with a 19 lb. snapper.

• Team Empress Elite won the Grouper Shoot out portion of the contest, coming in with a 29 lb. grouper.

“Big Water Fish Market and Spearfish Grille bought all

the fish and the money was given to the program,” said Big Water Fish Market owner, Scott Dolan. Just under $10,000 was raised from this weekend’s event with all proceeds donated to the Riverview High School Aquadome Program.

To learn more about this program or about the various opportunities for recognition for your business or cause with donation, please go to their website at: rhsaquascience.com.

Summer Showdown with the Silver King

By Matt Fueyo/Owner at Reel Tight Fishing Charters

With the prickly heat of summer upon us, captains and guests typically like to start fishing early in the morning as the tarpon bite continues into July.

Once on the beach they tuck the boat up close to shore and wait for the sun to expose the beautiful shimmer of the silver king! Our captains then line the boat up with the school as we look for the next tarpon to “roll.” We prepare to launch our crabs (bait) at these 100+ pound fish and then hold on for an epic battle. Once hooked up with the mighty fish the crew will clear the rods and anything that could get in the way. We strap in for what can be a 10 min. fight or a 2 hour battle. These fish have no quit! You have to respect the fish and the angler who both are completely worn out. We revive the fish and make sure they swim off healthy and congratulate our angler on his victory.

One thing is certain our crew keep their head on a swivel because we aren’t the only ones in search of the Silver King (Megalops). Big hammerheads, bull sharks and tiger sharks patrol the beach in search of a shiny treat!

We will still be chasing fish on the beach as well as fishing the back water for them.

We will see them start heading offshore to spawn on the full moon in July. Some fish have been spotted over 100 miles off shore. Quite the migration from the beach. In August/September we find the big fish back in the bays and rivers releasing their eggs into the water.

At Reel Tight Fishing Charters we use 7’6” shimano Terramar medium light rods with 60-80# fluorocarbon leader. A 6-0 7-0 circle hook with a bobber 30”-36” inches from the hook. Our bait is a silver dollar sized pass crab that is very, very alive and ready to swim!

Above: Landon, tarpon fishing with his dad measured, released, and entered his tarpon in the Sarasota Tarpon Tournament Below: Aledia Tush fishing with Capt. Jeffri Durrance out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters caught, measured, and released this tarpon off Point of Keys

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JULY 2019

Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Report

Water World

Notes from the Island Fishmonger Siesta South Seafood Growing up in Michigan I was not as well versed in the knowledge of saltwater fish.

I knew about Pike, Whitefish, Walleye and Catfish as most of my fishing career was spent on a lake in Upstate NY. It was not until I moved to South Florida as an adult that I even heard of this elusive and indigenous Florida Hogfish. And not until I actually started selling fish for a living did I know how popular this fish is. The Hogfish is little known to those outside of the Gulf Coast waters stretching from Sarasota to the Florida Keys.

Hogfish is the “FILET MIGNON OF THE SEA” says Siesta Key Marina partner and restaurateur Maurice “MO” Dentici. Mo is owner of Spearfish Grille which is located at Siesta Key Marina and is a purveyor of relaxed marina dining. It is also one of only two places on the Southside of Siesta Key that consistently serve up the delicate white flaky Hogfish meat.

Spearfish opened in March of 2018 and has been a welcome addition to the Siesta seafood scene. Not only is co-owner Mo and chef James serving up the fresh gulf “Hogfish free dive” that is a tender & sweet gulf Hogfish fresh off the spear then lightly grilled and topped with ginger, lime, butter, cilantro and fire roasted peppers but Spearfish Grille’s interior is just as special. Designed by Marina owners this quaint marina restaurant is decorated with refurbished wood from the docks of Siesta Key marina and has outdoor seating.

BIG WATER FISH MARKET & RESTAURANT is also located on the Southside of Siesta Key. The original Big Water Fish Market also serves it up right. Like I said, this fish is hard to come by and most places cannot put this fish on the menu because they can’t guarantee a consistent inventory. Chef Aaron of Big Water Fish Market does have it on the menu and serves it with his own honey Siracha cream sauce with a steamed seasonal veggie medley as well as my favorite which is the Hogfish Sundown which is Big Water’s version of a Jamaican fish dish named Run Down. This tasty Big Water entrée is a grilled Hogfish filet topped with a spicy coconut cream sauce and served with grilled vegetables.

“I love the unflattering name” says Carlyle Veale, manager of Big Water Fish Market. “The look of this fish is where its name comes from with a hog-like snout and man I love the taste.”

It is hard to even keep this fish in stock as once it hits the retail fish counters or restaurant menu this delicate, mild fish flies out the door. I would describe this fish as the perfect combination of flavor and texture because they are sweeter than Grouper, flakey like a Cod and as rich as Scallops.

When I say this iconic fish is mild tasting I mean it. When asked to describe the flavor by my customers, I either tell them it’s like biting into a delicious cloud from heaven or it’s the Filet Mignon of the sea. This is a great fish to eat whole (baked or fried) and it is also delicious when served as a filet with a sauce such as a lemon butter caper sauce like a francaise or piccata style.

Hogfish is a bit more expensive than the other fish due to the issue of supply and demand. Another reason this fish is a bit rare

is because the Hogfish will not bite a hook and line. It’s a smart fish. This fish actually has to be spearfished. The best Florida fish mongers have a spearfisherman with a steady shot on the payroll. A missed shot with a speargun can result in damaged flesh.

Here are 5 facts about Hogfish that you probably do not know: 1. Hogfish is not from the Snapper family as most people think. It is actually part of the Wrasse family and is closely related to a parrot fish more than a snapper.

2. Hogfish uses its elongated pig like snout to rummage and graze for crustaceans that are buried in the ocean floor. Because it has such a healthy shellfish diet the fish tastes clean with a hint of crab flavor.

3.

Juvenile Hogfish start out as female and then become male as they mature.

4. Males tend to be more intensely colored with a signature black spot behind the pectoral fins and females are pale grey or brown in color.

5. Hogfish have been recorded to live up to 11 years.

EASY HOGFISH PICCATA RECIPE: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season your 4-ounce Hogfish filets (total of 2 pounds of fish) with Deli Dust (available at Big Water Fish Market) and dredge in flour. Sauté the fish in oil for about 4 minutes, flipping half way through. Remove the fish to a platter.

Deglaze the pan with ¼ cup white wine, whisking for about 1 minute. Add 2 juiced lemons and 2 tablespoons of capers and stir.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk away to incorporate and bring the sauce together.

Pour your sauce onto the fish and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a lemon wedge.

Bon appetite.

Live well...Eat fish Scott Dolan Big Water Fish Market www.BigWaterFishMarket.com 6641 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key – South location, 941-554-8101

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Adventure Charters 941-371-1390

Fishing at night produces snook in July

July fishing can be excellent, but tactics need to be a little different and windows of opportunity are smaller.

It is simply too hot to fish in the middle of the day. Early morning will be the most reliable time to fish, evenings are good too, but frequent thunderstorms can make planning a trip difficult.

Anglers who don’t mind fishing in the dark will have success at night, and they will beat the summer heat!

Action on the deep grass flats from the north end of Siesta Key should be very good for speckled trout, along with bluefish, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, pompano, and jacks. A high tide in the morning is favored for anglers to drift the flats and cast Bass Assassin jigs, plugs, spoons, and live shrimp under a popping cork. Netting up a bunch of shiners and chumming the deep flats will usually result in non-stop action.

The flats and oyster bars south of Stickney Pt. down to Blackburn Pt. will hold some nice trout in July, and that area gets very little pressure in the summertime. The key is water temperature; if it is too high the bait and gamefish will not be there.

Redfish and snook will also cruise the bars and shorelines in search of prey.

Areas that drop off quickly into three or four feet will be the most productive spots. A hand-picked shrimp is deadly fished early in the morning on a high tide. Anglers choosing artificial lures will score with

topwater and shallow diving plugs, scented soft plastics, and weedless gold spoons.

Redfish will begin to school up in July and can be caught in very shallow water. The largest trout also prefer shallow water, so don’t be surprised if a “gator” intercepts an offering meant for a redfish. Anglers need to be aware that both speckled trout and redfish are currently closed to harvest, due to the red tide of 2018.

Night fishing will be exciting and productive in July. Lighted docks and bridges attract glass minnows and shrimp, which in turn attract the gamefish. Snook are abundant, but trout, reds, jacks, ladyfish, and snapper will also be caught at night.

Live shrimp works very well free lined in the current with little or no weight.

A 24” piece of 25 lb. flourocarbon leader and a 1/0 live bait hook is the basic rig. Lures will also catch fish, but can be difficult to cast at night.

Fly fisherman will score with a small white snook fly such as the Grassett’s Snook Minnow tied on a #4 hook.

Tarpon will still be plentiful in the Gulf of Mexico, although the anglers will not be. The large schools will have broken up, and although the fish don’t show as well, they eat better. Pinfish and crabs drifted out 6 feet under a cork at first light will catch tarpon in July. Point of Rocks on Siesta Key is a proven spot to fish.

JULY 2019 TIDE CHART Florida, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sarasota Bay

July 2019

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

1

Mo

1:46a

1.4

11:10a

2.5

5:16a

1.2

7:58p

-0.4

6:38a

8:30p

5:29a

7:35p

2

Tu

2:45a

1.4

11:52a

2.6

5:49a

1.3

8:43p

-0.5

6:39a

8:30p

6:24a

8:37p

3

We

3:36a

1.4

12:37p

2.6

6:27a

1.3

9:29p

-0.5

6:39a

8:30p

7:25a

9:35p

4

Th

4:19a

1.4

1:26p

2.6

7:17a

1.3

10:15p

-0.5

6:39a

8:30p

8:31a

10:29p

5

Fr

4:56a

1.4

2:19p

2.5

8:18a

1.3

11:02p

-0.3

6:40a

8:30p

9:38a

11:18p

6

Sa

5:29a

1.4

3:18p

2.4

9:32a

1.2

11:48p

-0.1

6:40a

8:30p

10:45a

7

Su

6:02a

1.5

4:24p

2.1

10:56a

1.1

6:41a

8:30p

11:50a

12:01a

8

Mo

6:37a

1.6

5:43p

1.8

12:33a

0.2

12:29p

1.0

6:41a

8:30p

12:53p

12:42a

9

Tu

7:15a

1.7

7:18p

1.6

1:18a

0.4

2:05p

0.8

6:42a

8:30p

1:54p

1:20a

10

We

7:56a

1.9

9:04p

1.4

2:01a

0.6

3:33p

0.6

6:42a

8:30p

2:55p

1:57a

11

Th

8:38a

2.1

10:47p

1.4

2:42a

0.9

4:49p

0.3

6:42a

8:29p

3:55p

2:35a

12

Fr

9:21a

2.2

3:21a

1.1

5:51p

0.1

6:43a

8:29p

4:54p

3:15a

13

Sa

12:14a

1.4

10:03a

2.4

4:00a

1.2

6:44p

-0.1

6:43a

8:29p

5:53p

3:58a

14

Su

1:24a

1.4

10:43a

2.4

4:37a

1.3

7:28p

-0.2

6:44a

8:29p

6:49p

4:43a

15

Mo

2:18a

1.4

11:22a

2.5

5:16a

1.3

8:07p

-0.2

6:44a

8:28p

7:43p

5:32a

16

Tu

2:57a

1.4

12:00p

2.5

5:57a

1.3

8:42p

-0.2

6:45a

8:28p

8:32p

6:24a

17

We

3:24a

1.4

12:37p

2.5

6:41a

1.3

9:14p

-0.1

6:45a

8:28p

9:17p

7:17a

18

Th

3:42a

1.4

1:15p

2.4

7:27a

1.3

9:45p

-0.1

6:46a

8:27p

9:58p

8:11a

19

Fr

3:59a

1.4

1:55p

2.3

8:16a

1.2

10:16p

0.0

6:46a

8:27p

10:35p

9:05a

20

Sa

4:16a

1.5

2:38p

2.2

9:07a

1.1

10:48p

0.2

6:47a

8:27p

11:09p

9:57a

21

Su

4:38a

1.6

3:24p

2.1

10:03a

1.1

11:21p

0.3

6:47a

8:26p

11:41p

10:49a

22

Mo

5:05a

1.6

4:16p

1.9

11:03a

1.0

11:55p

0.5

6:48a

8:26p

23

Tu

5:37a

1.7

5:16p

1.7

12:11p

0.9

6:49a

8:25p

12:12a

12:32p

Kathleen D Sailing Catamarans

24

We

6:13a

1.8

6:30p

1.6

12:30a

0.6

1:27p

0.8

6:49a

8:25p

12:44a

1:25p

25

Th

6:53a

1.9

8:04p

1.4

1:07a

0.8

2:46p

0.6

6:50a

8:24p

1:17a

2:19p

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.

26

Fr

7:37a

2.1

9:55p

1.3

1:46a

1.0

4:01p

0.5

6:50a

8:24p

1:52a

3:15p

27

Sa

8:24a

2.2

11:37p

1.4

2:27a

1.1

5:07p

0.3

6:51a

8:23p

2:32a

4:14p

28

Su

9:13a

2.4

3:11a

1.3

6:05p

0.0

6:51a

8:22p

3:16a

5:16p

29

Mo

12:54a

1.4

10:04a

2.5

4:00a

1.3

6:56p

-0.2

6:52a

8:22p

4:08a

6:18p

30

Tu

1:47a

1.5

10:56a

2.5

4:53a

1.4

7:44p

-0.3

6:52a

8:21p

5:06a

7:19p

31

We

2:25a

1.5

11:48a

2.7

5:48a

1.4

8:29p

-0.3

6:53a

8:21p

6:10a

8:16p

217 Avenida Madera – North location, 941-552-8826

31

High Tide

High Tide

Low Tide

Low Tide

©2019 FreeTideTables.com - For comparison only - Times are local - Tides in feet from MLLW

Phase New

1st

Full

11:41a

3rd

32

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

Arts on the Horizon

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

By Rodger Skidmore

Lena Horne - Fats Waller - Harlem Globetrotters One of the biggest hits in 1943 for Lena Horne - who had many big hits - was Stormy Weather. But Ethel Waters sang that song first, in 1933. Billie Holiday sang Am I Blue in 1941, a few years after Ethel Waters sang it in 1929. Sweet Georgia Brown was the theme song for the Harlem Globetrotters starting in 1949, 24 years after Ms. Waters cut her disk in 1925.

So, who was Ethel Waters? If you’ve read the paragraph just above you may have guessed that she was a pretty famous singer. You’d be right, she was. In 1920 she was the highest paid performer on Broadway. Most Americans know that the first Black actor with their own TV show was Nat King Cole back in 1956. Except for the fact that there was something called the Ethel Waters Show which first aired in 1939.

In that show Ms. Waters performed in an excerpt from the DuBose Heyward (Porgy and Bess) play Mamba’s Daughters. Variety magazine called it “deeply stirring drama.”

She starred in her own TV sitcom in the 1950s, and appeared in plays, movies and other TV shows. And, naturally, through the years, was nominated for quite a few awards.

All of this tells you about the performer, but who was Ethel Waters, the person?

For a more in depth view of this star, read her autobiography “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. Or, if you want to hear someone like Ms. Waters sing her songs while reciting her words, go see the musical biography of the same name at the Florida Studio Theatre, now playing through August 4th. The world premiere of this play was back in 2005 at the Strand Theatre in New York city. Oops, that premiere was actually here in Sarasota at the Florida Studio Theatre.

This time around the musical is directed by Kate Alexander with Jim Prosser at the keyboard - so we know it will be well directed and harmonically sound. AND, reprising her role as Ms. Waters will be Ms. Jannie Jones - one can’t get any more authentic than that. While the show is at the Keating theatre, lunch (matinees only) and dinner is being served in the Green Room just a block away. More info at Floridastudiotheatre.org. Additionally, Carole Bufford is the song stylist in Come Together, running thru July 21st at the Court Cabaret.

Interpolate Interpolation is the insertion of something into an item to (hopefully) make it better or markedly different.

Sort of like adding garlic or oregano to tomato sauce to make a better pasta dish. Or a dab of peanut butter on the end of your banana before you take a bite An in depth version of this kind of insertion occurs this month relative to the Ringling Museum’s Interpolation exhibit in the Searing gallery (thru September 8th). In

addition to the insertion of new works to the museum, the museum is inserting three movies, about the artists whose works are on display, into the exhibition. The addition of these films should enhance our understanding, not only of the works of these artists, but of how they reflect our times through their art. Images of Life, a film about Käthe Kollwitz, is shown on July 8th. Her art centered on peasants and/or war. Awareness of the Fourth Dimension, about Louise Nevelson, is slated for July 22nd. Ms Nevelson was known as an assemblage artist (mostly working in wood) in the style of Robert Rauschenberg - except that she did her work before he did his. The final film, Infinity, is about the artist Yayoi Kusama and her works. It will be shown on August 5th. You may purchase a ceramic yellow pumpkin

by Kusama from the Museum of Modern Art gift shop in New York for $280 (members $224) or one of her yellow pumpkin handbags from Selfridges in London for only $945.

Art you can wear is all in vogue these days.

The Victoria and Albert museum in London has an extensive collection of textiles from all over the world. The V&A has put together a traveling collection of over 140 of their clothes and preserved fabrics from India - 15th to the 21st century - which the Ringling has also put on display in the Searing gallery. On July 13th there is a members walk through the exhibit with the Curator of Asian Art, Dr. Rhiannon Paget. This exhibit runs from July 7 - October 13.

Just a reminder, for you and for children of all ages: the Summer Circus Spectacular (Ringling + the Circus Arts Conservatory) is on again at the Historic Asolo theatre.

There are two shows each day - Tuesday thru Saturday - until August 3rd. More info about everything is online at Ringling.org.

Two Chances A second chance. Wonderful. Isn’t that something that we all would like to have at some point in our lives? That really nice gal/guy that we met - and then we put our foot in our mouth. The interview we had for a promising job and we just weren’t feeling up to par. That really great contemporary dance performance that we could have seen but had too much to do that day. Sorry about the missed relationship and that highly rewarding job but, congratulations, you have two chances to see In The Round. Once at 7PM on July 26th and again at 2PM on the 27th. Both performances are at the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Studios at 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, suite 300.

SCD has two Summer Intensive Programs each year.

The one that ended in June and the one ending in late July. Advanced dance students take instruction in both contemporary and urban techniques during those sessions and then do two performances accompanied by members of Sarasota Contemporary Dance. The guest artist teaching contemporary dance technique is Maria Bauman-Morales, a Brooklyn based multi-disciplinary artist and Artist in Residence at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Stephanie Bastos, teaching urban technique, is a first generation BrazilianAmerican who has appeared in solo performance to great acclaim here in Sarasota, has worked with the Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble and has taught at the FSU/World Dance Festival.

Performance is often an alternative to viewing - and for children aged 4 - 9, performing is what they like to do. How many times have you heard the little ones shout “Watch Me! Watch Me!” over and over again, while they do the same twirl around the coffee table? And you watch, you watch, just hoping they don’t knock over your half empty glass of slowly warming chardonnay. Why not upgrade their skill set by sending them to the July 8-12 KIDS Summer Program at the SCD Studio. They will have fun, they will be learning, they will be gone for five mornings, and they will be cool.

Yes, of course the studio is air-conditioned, but learning contemporary dance is also cool, in and of itself. Give them this great experience and, when next they twirl around your living room, your chardonnay will be safe. Leave it on the table and you will be able to clap with both hands. Lots of information at sarasotacontemporarydance.org.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information.

However, please be sure to always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

WEEKLY BEACH CLASSES: • FREE T’AI CHI CHIH Siesta Beach, Access #5 - Every Monday, 15 minutes before sunset. Open to all, no experience necessary. Contact Diana Daffner 941-346-1024 for information.

(Access #5 is in Siesta Village, where Beach Rd. meets Ocean Blvd.)

• FREE YOGA - Mon.Wed.-Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m. Classes held between blue and green lifeguard station. Call 941320-6693 to register or go to website for more info. www.yogaonsiestabeach.com/ about • GROUP FITNESS CLASSES – Join F.I.T. Tribe SRQ every Mon, Wed, & Sat. at 9 a.m. at the main pavilion. For more details, please see facebook page: www. facebook.com/FitTribeSRQ. • NIA - Tues. & Thurs., 9 a.m., Siesta Public Beach (yellow lifeguard chair). Contact Kathy Oravec at 941-724-9719 for more

info or check website: www.nianow.com/kathyoravec

www.scgov.net/government/ parks-recreation-and-naturalresources.

• SIESTA KEY BEACH HOOP JAMS – Every Tuesday one hour before Sunset on Siesta Key beach we gather for a community Hoop Jam. (Between the red lifeguard stand and the pavilion; around where the Sunday drum circle happens.) Register at: www.outwardspiral.net.

• JULY – AUG. (TUES) 5:307:30 PM / KIDS SUMMER BEACH RUNS: This is a onemile fun run for kids of all ages.

Weekly registration held at 5:30 pm with race time at 6:30 pm. Registration is on-site. All participants receive a ribbon and a popsicle. Free T-shirts are earned after 4 runs are completed. There is a one-time, $1 registration fee.

Contact County for additonal info: 941-861-5000.

The celebration is completely reliant on generous community donations from businesses, accommodations, and residents.

All donations directly fund the fireworks!

Donations of all levels are greatly appreciated, however, sponsorship packages of $500 and above include parking passes and access to the preferred viewing area which opens at 6:00 p.m. and includes complimentary beverages and light snacks. To make a donation, please visit siestakeychamber.com, or call the Chamber office at 941.349.3800.

• JULY 4 (THURS) 8 – 10PM / JULY 4TH COMMUNITY FIREWORKS SHOW: The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is proud to announce the 29th Anniversary of the 4th of July Community Fireworks Celebration, Thursday, July 4th, at Siesta Key Beach. The fireworks show will launch at dusk at the Siesta Key Public Beach (948 Beach Road) and is free and open to the public.

• JULY 13 & 14 (SATSUN) 8AM – 7PM / DIG THE BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: Dig the Beach Volleyball Series is the most established and successful grassroots series of its kind catering to both professional and amateur players. Some of the top professionals on the Domestic & World Tours have graduated from this organization. To register or for additional info, see

WEEKLY DRUM CIRCLE: • Every Sunday about an hour before sunset. South of the main pavilion. You can participate or watch this weekly gathering and dance, hoop, play the drum or other musical instrument, and enjoy the spectacular Siesta sunset.

On The Beach…

• JULY –AUG (M-F) 8AM – NOON / PRNR SUMMER CAMPS: To download a complete list of summer camp activities for the kids or event guide, please go to Sarasota County’s website:

website: www.digthebeach.com.

Spectators will be able to watch the courts from the elevated East Concession stand.

Around the island…

• WEEKLY FARMER’S MARKET IN THE VILLAGE: Every Sunday from 8am – 1pm in Davidson’s Plaza in the Village.

5124 Ocean Blvd. Produce, Plants & Flowers, Music, Art, Organic Skincare, Italian Olive Oil, and Freshly Prepared Foods. Listen to live music while you shop.

And Beyond…

• JUNE 29 – JULY 7 (SAT SUN) 8AM – 5PM / SARASOTA POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX FESTIVAL: The annual Grand Prix Race will be held off Lido Beach on Sunday, July 7. The course has been extened from 4.9 miles to 6.17 miles and will extend slightly north of New Pass and south to the Sandcastle Resort.

Event schedule and VIP race day tickets are available for purchase on the Festival website: www. sarasotapowerboatgrandprix. org.

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JULY 2019

Your Monthly Horoscope July Is One “Hot” Month in the Stars!

ARIES (March 21–April 19): With a lunar eclipse in your career zone on 16th, try as you might, you won’t be able to keep a low profile. This month brings a rare pair of new moons—the first, on the 2nd, is a solar eclipse. Eclipses bring things out in the open, including all the work you’ve been doing behind the scenes. You can make huge strides, but with one “caveat”: Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, which could cause some delays. Patience!

TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Going somewhere? When a lunar eclipse powers up your travel zone on the 16th, you might head off on an epic adventure! This month brings a rare pair of new moons, the first of which, on the 2nd, is a solar eclipse in your communication center.

Eclipses shine a light on things that had been hidden.

Focus on a few goals around friendships and family for the rest of July. But Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, which could (temporarily) thwart your efforts.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20): July is great for getting finances and joint ventures in order, thanks to a pair of eclipses lighting up your money axis. The first, a solar eclipse on the 2nd, brings exciting new opportunities (asap or unfolding over six months). At the second, on the 16th, you could “harvest” seeds you sowed at the beginning of the year. One caveat: Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, which could (temporarily) slow your efforts.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): July is full of opportunities and surprises that can take some of your top goals to the next level! A new moon/solar eclipse on the 2nd falls in your sign, flashing a green light on something you’ve been waiting to start or advance. Then a lunar eclipse on the 16th electrifies your partnership house, which is sweet news for single and attached Crabs. One “caveat”: Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, which could scramble communication. Clarity is called for!

LEO (July 23–August 22): July brings a rare pair of new moons—the first, on the 2nd, is a solar eclipse in your mystical zone that may bring hidden things out in the open. It’s a time to let go and forgive! The lunar eclipse on the 16th highlights your health zone, so make self-care a priority. The second new moon is in Leo, supporting any fresh starts you’ve been considering.

Note: With Mercury retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, you need to be extra clear in your communications.

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Other people are your not-so-secret weapon this month as a pair of eclipses highlights your interpersonal houses. The first, a solar eclipse on the 2nd, brings some new opportunities (asap or unfolding over six months). At the second, on the 16th, you could “harvest” seeds you sowed at the beginning of the year. One caveat: Mercury (your ruler) is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, which could (temporarily) slow your efforts.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22): A pair of eclipses highlights your work and domestic sectors, bringing

By Suzanne Gerber

exciting opportunities on both fronts.

The new moon/solar eclipse on the 2nd, in your professional sector, is perfect timing for any fresh starts you want to make. A lunar eclipse on the 16th gives a green light to home and family issues: Kiss and make up; put your house on the market! One caveat: Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, so you’ll need to employ patience!

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): July is anything but “business as usual” as a pair of eclipses bring opportunities and power up initiatives that are already underway. A new moon/solar eclipse on the 2nd lights up your travel and adventure zone, yanking you out of your comfort zone. Then a lunar eclipse on the 16th accentuates your communication center. (Time to update your website or online profiles?)

Just beware an off-course Mercury from the 7th to the 31st, when signals could get seriously scrambled.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21): No winging it! July is “get your finances sorted” month as a powerful pair of eclipses fire up your money axis.

The first, a solar eclipse on the 2nd, brings some new opportunities for investing or joint ventures. At the second, on the 16th, it’s time to do some big-picture planning, with a financial adviser if necessary. Just one caveat: Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, which could (temporarily) delay your plans.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19): A pair of eclipses brings “balance of power” issues to the fore. A new moon/solar eclipse on the 2nd gives an opportunity for a fresh start, whether that means couples getting to the heart of an old issue or singles downloading a new dating app. Then a lunar eclipse on the 16th reminds you there’s only so much compromising a person can handle. Do you, Capricorn! One caveat: When Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, signals can get scrambled!

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): A pair of eclipses encourages you take the time for self-care and personal pursuits. A new moon/solar eclipse on the 2nd lands in your wellness zone, nudging you to get to the gym, do yoga or get a massage! The lunar eclipse on the 16th activates your imagination center and supports spending time in nature or following your muse. One caveat: Mercury is retrograde from the 7th to the 31st, so don’t try to push or rush anything!

PISCES (February 19–March 20): July won’t be “business as usual” thanks to a powerful pair of eclipses!

A new moon/solar eclipse on the 2nd lands in your amorous fifth house, upping the romance and creativity in your life. Then a lunar eclipse on the 16th highlights groups you’re associated with. (If you do online dating, update your photos or try a new app.) Just beware an off-course Mercury from the 7th to the 31st: People might not be the way they present themselves!

Suzanne Gerber (www.starsandstoneshealing.com) is a locally based intuitive astrologer, shamanic/energy practitioner and spiritual life coach. She is available for private in-person and phone sessions by appointment. Or book her for your next “psychic party”!

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ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 41 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 37

The Highs and Lows of Properties Sold on Siesta Key

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

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

HIGHEST PRICED SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTY: 1238 SHARSWOOD LN., SOLD FOR: $5,700,000 Located within the exclusive gated community of Spice Bay on Siesta Key with just 14 homes, the two-story London Bay Homes’ Mandeville residence offers distinctive West Indies architecture, a private dock and panoramic views of Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. Fully furnished by our award-winning in-house interior design company, the four-bedroom waterfront luxury estate was designed to maximize views and features a study near the luxurious master suite, which includes a covered terrace to enjoy spectacular sunrises over the Bay. The great room opens to an adjoining parlor, dining room and gourmet-inspired kitchen with butler’s pantry, and nearby wine room. Stairs, in addition to an elevator, reveal a second-floor loft with wet bar, which provides a relaxing retreat for three guest suites – all featuring Bay views from either a private balcony or covered terrace. The opulent outdoor living area includes an outdoor kitchen, motorized retractable screens and an infinity-edge pool with spa.The sale on this unit came out to $1,137.72 a square foot Courtesy of London Bay Realty.

LOWEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY: 695 TROPICAL CIR, SOLD FOR: $525,000 Great opportunity to live one mile from Siesta Key beach in the tropical enclave of Siesta Bayside. Rarely available move in ready home situated on an over-sized lot with direct access to kayaking and fishing on your private lagoon.

This 3 bedroom 2.5 bath pool home has a brand new roof, freshly painted inside and an open and inviting floor plan that captures the views of your private oasis. Enjoy the peaceful setting outside from the heated pool, stand-alone spa or relaxing on the deck observing the wildlife drawn to the lagoon. Tropical Cr. is a very desirable area of Siesta Key. Close to the beach and shops and restaurants of Siesta Village. You can easily access the bridge at the north end of the island to take advantage of downtown Sarasota. Enjoy shopping, dining, theater, the arts district, St. Armands Circle and many more amenities available. The sale of this property came out to $248.93 a square foot.

Courtesy of Keller Williams.

HIGHEST PRICED CONDO: 8750 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #400, SOLD FOR: $1,200,000 End Unit Penthouse with wrap around views of the Gulf. This condo has 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths with over 3000 SqFt. of living space and looks directly out on the Gulf and beach. Completely renovated with a contemporary motif designed by Anne Folsom Smith. The openness of this unit allows for expansive views from all sides. Large open balcony runs along the entire side of unit where you can cookout privately while watching the dolphins play during sunset. Total SqFt. of this condo is 3966 with cathedral ceilings, chefs kitchen, office and laundry, wet bar and fireplace. Covered parking under building with two parking spaces and room for storage. Secured building and parking. Boat docks on first come basis are $250 a year and fit 25ft boat.

Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor pool, Clubhouse, Sauna, Outdoor grills and Car washing stations.

The sale on this unit came out to $388.10 a square foot.

Courtesy of Waterside Realty.

LOWEST PRICED CONDO: 6713 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #11, SOLD FOR: $192,500 Investment Opportunity or Move in Ready 2nd floor condo offering low density, turnkey furnished with an annual tenant in place who would like remain. Right across from the beach on Siesta Key in close proximity to shopping, restaurants and everything the key offers! The sale came out to $321.91 a square foot. Courtesy of JMRG Inc.

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Paradise Awaits...

195 Vista Hermosa Circle, #9-A Siesta Key, FL Just a short walk to Siesta Beach. 2 BR, 2 BA villa. Ideal rental opportunity. Custom wood cabinets in the kitchen with granite counters & upgraded appliances. Bathrooms boast tumbled marble & granite. Custom lighting. New A/C in 2017 and recently installed water heater. Roof replaced in 2016.

Sold turnkey furnished (with some exclusions).

1122 Horizon View Drive

Siesta Key, FL

Deeded beach access!! Your feet will be in the Gulf of Mexico in 60 seconds!!! This immaculate pool home features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 BR, 3.5 BA along with the LL bonus area for generational living or guests. Bonus area downstairs is perfect for storage, workout center, hobby room or workshop. Oversized garage for cars, boat, jet skis, kayaks and/or bikes. Walking distance to local dining and a marina. Quality concrete block construction for peace of mind.

322 Island Circle

875,000

$

429,900

$

Siesta Key, FL

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

859,000

$

leing a S d n pe

797 Beach Road, #305

Siesta Key, FL 5157 Sandy Shore Ave., Sarasota Florida

214 Island Circle, Sarasota Florida

1001 Beach Rd Unit#A-602 Sarasota, FL

Spacious Siesta Key home on excellent boating water. Located on quiet Full Gulf view of #1 Beach in the USA. Completely remodeled, priced low traffic dead end “Sandy� Street. Split plan 4 BR, 3 BA, 2,493 sq. ft. Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm This 6th floor recently updated condo is located right across the street from world famous Siesta Key Beach. Enjoy views of the beautiful Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on to sell! High end tile floors in main living area, quality custom kitchen home with recent updates. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows 2nd level makes nice office space. Screened pool area. Short walk to Gulf of Mexico and Siesta Key canals from your two large terraces as and sliders, hurricane garage door for extra security.Short walk to cabinets, deisgner kitchen. Crescent Royale offers an onsite rental World Famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life well as the downtown Sarasota lights. The floorpan has generous famous Siesta Key Village with world class bistros and nightlife. of Siesta Village. program, heated pool and much more! square footage for a beach condo and both bedrooms are of generous size. This unit is offered turnkey furnished & tastefully renovated. $ $ $ Our House at the Beach offers amenities such as tennis courts, a community heated pool, and an onsite rental office. This allows for the best of both worlds- Weekly Rental policy for Awesome potential investment income and a vacation home with a Fantastic view of Siesta Beach.

499,900

999,900

1,070,000

665,00

$

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

ddm1@comcast.net

Service.

Integrity.

Results.

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Siesta Sand

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941.349.0194

Blooming This Month - Poinciana Trees

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Siesta Key real estate Continued from cover story

Joe and Wendy Kesslak’s listing on Derby Lane includes both a boat dock on the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as deeded beach access

Poinciana trees are in bloom at SGC gardens during the month of July and into the summer months.

This flamboyant Royal Poinciana is often rated as one of the five most beautiful blooming trees in the world. If you have room for a tree, this tree has vermilion (vibrant red blooms) that is drought resistant, and a great shade tree.

This tree can live in sun and grows to the height of 20-30 feet tall and 20-30’ in width. This is a statement tree for you. If you need a smaller tree, several Dwarf Poinciana trees are in our Butterfly Garden. These get about 15’ tall and 15’ in width. These come in red and yellow varieties. Both types of these trees are very easy to grow and both attract butterflies and bees, our great pollinators for other plants and trees. Save the Dates: 12/6/19-Holiday High Tea; 2/10/20-Fashion Show (SHIVOO GARDEN PARTY); 3/14/20-Gardens in Paradise Tour and Plant Sale.

Submitted by Kay Weber, 3rd Vice President and Botanical Gardens Chair www.sarasotagardenclub.org

The Kesslak’s listing at 1225 Derby Lane is for sale for $945,000

From April of 2018 to April of 2019, we had a 5% increase in sales prices on the Key.” During the same time period, according to figures provided by Sarasota/Manatee Realtor magazine, the median sale price of homes in Sarasota County as a whole rose only 1.5%.

Joe and Wendy specialize in investment properties on Siesta Key, and stress that the rental market here has remained strong. As it turns out, exposing tourists to all the island has to offer is a great way to turn happy vacationers into enthusiastic buyers.

“Statistics show us that properties are only listed for 83 days here before they sell, except for properties that are zoned to allow weekly rentals-those sell quicker,” Wendy said. “That ability to rent year-round is what makes it more valuable for investors.”

While an investor might think, “Well that’s fine, I’ll just rent in a spot on the island that is zoned for short-term rentals,” that’s easier said than done. If your property is zoned RMF-1 (Residential Multifamily), that allows for transient accommodations and short-term rentals. But with a zone designated RSF (Residential Single Family), you may only lease your property for a period of 30 days or more at a time— which translates to a maximum of 12 times a year. The problem is that sometimes two properties located next door to each other will have different zoning designations.

Dan Miller, a Realtor with RE/MAX Tropical Sands, on Old Stickney Point Road, also specializes in investment property. He says that he tells his clients who are looking to make such a purchase to carefully consider what the regulations are for the location.

“If you’re looking to buy an investment property, you should buy in the correct zone,” he said.

Continued on the next page

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Continued from the previous page

Dan Miller “I get clients who are relocating here, and people who are looking for a second home, but most of my sales on Siesta are condos, because people can use them for an investment. During season, they can put renters in their unit for the entire time because of the way they are zoned.”

After all, when investors purchase a property, one of the goals is to not lose money. The ultimate goal, however, would be to make money and have a vacation home at no cost. Joe Kesslak gave an example of a two-bedroom/two-bath condominium that grosses $40,000 in rent income every year. He said that after an owner pays 20% to a property management company, they should have about $32,000 to cover Homeowners’ Association fees, utilities, maintenance and more, which would all probably cost no more than $15,000. That would leave $17,000 for mortgage payments, most likely more money than would be required.

The end result? An investment property that pays for itself.

Needless to say, many of those investment properties are changing hands between out-of-town buyers and sellers. Dan Miller said that is definitely the case with his clientele.

“Very rarely do I sit down at a closing table with both the buyer and the seller,” he said. “The closings are typically ‘mail aways.’”

Mail away closings are fairly common, taking place between parties that can’t be physically present at a closing. The absent party is sent paperwork to sign in front of a notary, after which they return the documents to the title company handling the closing. Necessary closing funds are wired to the appropriate destination.

The emergence of the Siesta Breeze Trolley on Siesta Key has made our little island even smaller, and has opened up the southern end to even more investment opportunities, because of the ease of getting to Siesta Village. An open-air trolley service that is operated by Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), the three vehicles run between Turtle Beach and Siesta Village seven days a week, starting at 10 AM. The trolleys are free, and no tips are accepted, meaning that riders can go back and forth and anywhere in between without having to worry about parking or picking a designated driver.

Both the Kesslaks and Dan Miller say that while the Siesta Key market real estate market is steady and very healthy. Wendy, who invested heavily in Siesta real estate with Joe before they actually moved here, said she expects the market to remain solid.

“This place just has a special feel—like you’re in the Caribbean,” she said. “It has very much an island feel, and it’s still very lush with foliage.

That’s what gets people, and when they experience what we have here, they want to be a part of it.”

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One of Dan Miller’s newest listings is a Gulf Front beauty on Siesta Key

Dan Miller’s listing at 156 Givens Street has a sales price of $6.3 million

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Clam Chowder: A Signature Dish of Siesta Key Siesta Key Pioneers The names of the streets and waterways around Siesta Key provide historical clues to the pioneers who settled and developed this barrier island. Arguably, the most successful pioneers were a fisherman for whom Roberts Bay was named, Captain Lewis Roberts and his wife Ocean Deep Hansen.

Captain Lewis, whose name is often misspelled as Louis, was a huge man standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 350 pounds— hence his nickname “Big Daddy.”

After sailing annually from Key West to Sarasota Bay for a decade to take advantage of the fabulous fishing, he settled in the area permanently during 1878 as the Captain’s success in commercial fishing was superseded by his romantic discovery. In fact, he fell head over heels for Ocean Deep Hansen, who was memorialized when her husband named Ocean Boulevard. She was born on 12 July 1860 to Peter and Mary Hansen while they were sailing as Danish immigrants across the Atlantic Ocean, so they named their daughter Ocean Deep.

Captain Lewis was smitten by this tall young lady while selling fish to the Hansen family, resulting in their marriage during 1881. Soon thereafter, they filed a claim for homestead land across the Bay from Ocean’s parents.

This choice property, known as Roberts Point, is located along present-day Roberts Circle, and is accessed today

by Roberts Point Road. Big Daddy built a home for his expanding family and also cleared the land for Ocean’s large garden. As Lewis enlarged their dwelling, it became a hospitable boarding house for fishermen. In 1906, Big Daddy enlarged the house again and transformed it into Roberts Hotel. This marks the beginning of the hospitality industry on the island and is a milestone for Siesta Key. Clam Chowder Attracts More Tourists and Dinners Ocean and Lewis became famous for the delicious meals they served to guests and Sarasota residents who ferried across Sarasota Bay just for dinner. Naturally, fresh fish was the usual entrée. But the most spectacular meal was the clam chowder – a delectable comfort food that became known up and down the Gulf Coast.

Big Daddy, likely with help from his many children, dug up the fresh clams, while Ocean adjusted her recipe for whatever ingredients were available. The two of them next assembled everything together in a huge iron kettle.

Lewis then stirred the soup with a wooden oar while it acquired a fabulous flavor simmering for hours. At the beginning of the 20th century, the fishing, food and lodging began attracting winter guests from the north who spread the word about Ocean’s great chowder.

Captain Curt’s World Famous Clam Chowder Repeats History Fast forward one hundred years and we see that the evolution of Siesta Key proves again that “history repeats itself” as Captain Curt’s chowder has had a similar impact in attracting national attention. Thus, the history of the Stewart brothers’ achievement in 2007 winning the Great Chowder Cook-Off with their special, carefully developed recipe for New England style clam chowder is a fascinating story of entrepreneurism.

The creation of an award-winning clam chowder was the culmination of a most interesting sequence of events

initiated by another kind of captain— not a boat captain as many have assumed. In 1979, Curt Marsh retired from his position as a Captain in the Indiana State Police and moved to Siesta Key. There, he opened Captain Curt’s Crab and Oyster Bar near Turtle Bay. Among the seafood he served, clam chowder became a favorite. But the location was not ideal, nor did the demanding role of a restauranteur suit a retired policeman either because Marsh sold the restaurant in 1981.

A better location was found at the intersection of Old Stickney Point Road and Midnight Pass Road at the site of the 1940s Siesta Lodge. Thus, the new Captain Curt’s Clam and Oyster Bar was established there in 1982 by another owner who improved the business over the next decade but also decided to sell out.

Winning the Great Chowder Cook-Off in 2007 In 1994, the Stewart family bought the restaurant and upgraded both the food and the atmosphere.

Soon thereafter, a new recipe for clam chowder was developed by Brad and Brett Stewart. It was as extraordinary as the Roberts’ recipe but more standardized and loaded with clams that are carefully selected from Maine to Maryland. The most significant achievement of the Stewarts was winning the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, Rhode Island during 2007. This coveted national award confirmed what Siesta Key residents and visitors suspected about the legendary clam chowder they had been enjoying as arguably the best seafood dish on Siesta Key. Many restaurants claim to have award-winning clam chowder but the basis of their claims is often dubious.

On the other hand, Great Chowder Cook-Off of Newport is a challenging and meaningful competition. It is a wide-open international event that attracts chefs from all regions of the USA and some from Europe.

Approximately 25,000 people attend the event in Fort Adams State Park RI, and there may be up to 100,000 samplings consumed. Every ticket-purchasing attendee is given a ballot, and any time during the noon to 6 PM tastings, voters may drop their tickets into the bins of the station whose chowder they enjoyed the most. Then, the top vote getters are announced at 6 PM all around the park and on the Newport Waterfront Events website.

More Entrepreneurism— The Nutritious Take Home Clam Chowder Kit Departing Siesta Key after a Spring Break or snowbird season used to mean leaving Captain Curt’s clam chowder behind and settling for an inferior recipe elsewhere— often a fish chowder or a predominately potato soup masquerading as clam chowder.

The Stewart family, however, resolved the problem of chowder withdrawal symptoms in 2012 when they developed an ingenious and very successful kit with a fifteen ounce can of chopped, preserved clams and a second can containing all the other “base ingredients” but butter and cream. These kits are now being shipped from Siesta Key to countries around the world.

You can read more about this topic and others in An Illustrated History of Siesta Key: The Story of America’s Best Beach, which is sold at both Davidson Drugs stores, Captain Curt’s gift shop, and Crescent Beach Grocery.

www.siestasand.net

Continued from cover story

Brett and Brad Stewart twelve years after winning the Great Chowder Cook-Off of Newport, RI with a recipe that brought more fame to Siesta Key

Captain Lewis Roberts and Ocean Deep Hansen Roberts enjoying their catch of two fighting tarpons at Roberts Point.

This rare photo was reproduced thanks to and with permission of descendant Mike Ferguson, great grandson of Lewis Roberts.

Captain Curt’s Kit— a great way to enjoy the signature dish of Siesta Key year round

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Siesta Key Chamber Events May BCE at Parker and Associates, PA Thank you, Parker and Associates, PA, for hosting the Chamber’s May Business Card Exchange! The Chamber had a great turn out for our event. Also, thank you for donating door prizes for the lucky winners, Karen and Alice! And congratulations, Matt, on winning the 50/50 raffle!

2019 Tri-Chamber Business & BBQ on the Bay The 5th Annual Tri-Chamber Business & BBQ on the Bay was held at The Resort at Longboat Key Club on June 6th. Guests enjoyed a fun evening of great food, live music, and lawn games. Thank you, Longboat Key Chamber and Anna Maria Island Chamber, for teaming up with us again to make a great networking event for all of our members!

June Networking Luncheon at The Cottage The June luncheon at The Cottage was a big hit! Our guests enjoyed burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and fresh fish sandwiches while networking with fellow members. Thank you, managers and staff at The Cottage, for hosting our event! Also, thank you to Siesta Key Rum, Business World Promo, Siesta Key Jet Ski and Sleep Inn/MainStay Suites, for donating door prizes!

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Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament On Friday, May 31st, the Chamber held its 20th Annual Golf Tournament at TPC Prestancia. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, players, volunteers, and the staff at TPC Prestancia for making our event so successful and fun! Congratulations to the following winners:

• Pictured Above: 1st Place Winners: George Nikias, Tom Kouvatsos, Taylor Thompson, and Kyle Helmus from Team Village Café.

• 2nd Place Winners: Shawn McGill, Nick Urrutia, Keith Johnson, and Kyle Conner from Team SunTrust Private Wealth.

• 3rd Place Winners: Jim Hartley, Kody Gruber, Steve Cavanaugh and Frank Pachinger from Team Tropical Sands Accommodations.

• Longest Drive- Ladies: Ann VanKouwenberg from Team Murphy’s Law. • Longest Drive- Men: Taylor Thompson from Team Village Café.

• Closest to the Pin- Ladies: Carol Esposito from Team Murphy’s Law. • Closest to the Pin- Men: Keith Johnson from Team SunTrust Private Wealth.

• Putting Contest Winner: Mark H. Smith from Smith Architects, P.A.

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5114 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key, 941-349-3800

Coastal Setback Code Those entail the placement of beach-compatible sand and the planting of native dune vegetation. “Those plants themselves are a very good first line of defense when they become established,” he noted. The plants drop very long roots — called “taproots” — that help hold the sand in place, he added. Still, Berna acknowledged, that measure is “not a foolproof method by any means.”

A sense of urgency Following the presentation, Hines told his colleagues that each might have his or her own ideas about how to tweak

Island Chatter

Continued from page 5

the Coastal Setback Code. Nonetheless, he continued, “It doesn’t work very well for us to do that up here.”

He added that he has asked members of the Manasota Key, North Manasota Key and Casey Key associations “to bring us a white paper or memo or something from engineers, professionals that do shoreline protection work all the time, and say that ‘This is our recommendation.’ That hasn’t happened yet.”

Commissioner Maio emphasized the need for “competent professional testimony … so we know what to ask for from staff in terms of tweaking the Coastal Setback Code.”

Commissioner Nancy Detert responded with her oftenstated aversion to seawalls, because of the demonstration of worsened erosion on either side of the structures.

She prefers the code’s encouragement for the creation of dunes and native vegetation, she said.

Hines referenced language in the Coastal Setback Code that encourages beach renourishment projects instead of shoreline hardening. Yet, he said, “People have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring in beach sand only to see it wash out in a year or two. … Our options are difficult when the policy has been to deny hardening.”

Continued from page 16

The home of the former Fandango Café has been demolished.

A dumpster still stood on the site at 1266 Old Stickney Point Road, and a piece of heavy machinery was idle in the background.

Nonetheless, the site appeared to be relatively clean on May 31 — and the canal behind the property was visible again.

No document yet has appeared on the county website to show that Siesta resident Kompothecras has applied for a Special Exception to construct the boutique hotel he has proposed on the former Fandango site.

Kompothecras is known not only for the MTV Siesta Key series he created, but also for the 1-800-ASK-GARY medical and legal referral service he established.

Help sought with ‘adopt-a-near-shore area’

New Siesta Key Association (SKA) Director Elizabeth Gomez-Mayo announced during the nonprofit’s June meeting that she is working with Keep

Sarasota County Beautiful (KSCB) about the SKA’s adopting and keeping clean an area of the Key. With the County Commission this spring having authorized the rebuilding of Fire Station No. 13 next to Siesta Public Beach, she said, she is hopeful that the SKA can adopt the public property behind the station, which offers access to the shoreline.

The land includes a pond, she noted.

If she is successful with the initiative, she added of that area, “We can monitor it and just enjoy it.” Gomez-Mayo said she would welcome members interested in volunteering for that project as she continues to work with KSCB. Interested persons may email info@ siestakeyassociation.com.

Turtle nest marked near Access 2

Since the County Commission voted in May 2016 to vacate a 373-foot-long segment of North Beach Road, turtle nests have

Yellow tape and posts mark the turtle nest near Beach Access 2.

Photo courtesy of Michael Holderness

become more common in the area, island residents have noted.

In early June, Michael Holderness sent SNL a photo of a new nest marked off by volunteers just west of Beach Access 2, not far from where the vacated part of the road begins.

Turtle nesting season begins May 1 and ends on Oct. 31. Mote Marine Laboratory offers weekly counts of nests, by location, on its website.

Work continuing on new SKA website

Siesta Key Association (SKA) directors have been putting a considerable amount of time into creating a new website, they have told members in recent months.

On June 6, during the nonprofit’s regular meeting, Director Jean Cannon explained that Director Joyce Kouba “has been working night and day to get this done,” pushing for a mid-July launch. Everything

from the old site is having to be brought up-do-date on the new one, Cannon added.

Noting that the SKA will not conduct a meeting in July, Cannon continued, “Hopefully, by August, we can stand up and say the new website is ready.”

Just how expensive is that fireworks show on the Fourth?

As part of her update during the May 22 membership meeting of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the organization’s executive director, Ann Frescura, pointed out that she and her staff and the board members were working to raise the $50,000 needed to put on the annual July Fourth fireworks show at the beach.

Of that amount, she said, $40,000 goes toward the actual pyrotechnics. The remainder is needed for permitting procedures with Sarasota County and rentals to accommodate sponsors for whom the Chamber hosts a preferred viewing site party.

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Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

www.siestasand.net

JEWELRY

CONTRACTORS

• Best Western Plus Siesta Key – AAA -3 Diamond Property, Free shuttle service to and from Siesta Key 941-924-4900, 6600 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota • Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms.

Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500

BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS

Captain Jacks Yacht Charters

Capt. Jack Wallace 941.320.8700 www.sarasotachartervessel.com Pleasure Cruises only Sunsets/Weddings/Special Occasions Hourly, Daily, Weekly

• CB’s Saltwater Outfitters – CB’s Saltwater Outfitters is an ORVIS Endorsed Outfitter Fishing Charter Service serving Siesta Key as well as Longboat Key, Lido Key, Sarasota, and Venice.

Our veteran guides offer exciting Fishing Adventures for anglers of all ages from novice to the expert. See our website: www.CBsOutfitters.com or stop in their store for additional info.

1240 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key. (941)349-4400.

Mention This Ad And Receive 10% OFF Your Next Charter

941-400-4193

MEDICAL • Hawk’s Nest Construction Inc. is a certified Class A general contractor licensed in all phases of construction. Owner, Mark Hawkins Sr. personally oversees every aspect of your project from start to finish, using only the best and most reliable licensed artisan and craftsmen. His passion is delighting his clients by turning their home-improvement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-6509499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com • Nutter Construction is your local Siesta Key builder. We have a strong team with over 30 years of combined high end residential construction experience in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. We offer custom construction, remodeling services, management and consulting, concierge service, and we are committed to protecting our resources by using construction techniques that are environmentally friendly. Call us at 941-924-1868, visit our showroom at 3534 South Osprey Avenue, or check us out online at www.nutterconstruction.com. LEED AP | FL Licensed Building Contractor CBC060004 | FL Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate BK322256 | Certified Home Inspector HI4630

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

J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

941.926.7546

www.dermatologyexperts.com

Captain Matt Sightseeing Charters Boating Instruction paradisekeycharters.com

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Sarasota Area 941-400-4193

Having Fun Fishing in The Sun

941-400-2452

Tony Fudoli Sr. CAPTAIN tntfreedomfishing@yahoo.com

Veteran Owned Business

Dolphin Watch • SunSetS • half Day aDventure SailS

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

• Wilson Windows is a State Certified General Contractor specializing in glass porch enclosures and window replacement.

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

DRY CLEANERS

Sailing From Marina Jack, Sarasota

Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran 941-896-6400

www.KathleenD.net

• Siesta Key Marina Located at 1265 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key, has been serving Sarasota boaters and fishermen since 1961. A staple in the Sarasota boating community, offering 243 dry storage racks, a full service ship store, onsite boat service, boat rentals, bait, fuel, fishing tackle and more. 941-349-1970

CHURCH SERVICES • WEDNESDAY CHURCH - Traditional worship every Wednesday at 6 PM. Committed to reaching 55+ Widows, Widowers, Veterans, Singles, and Adults.

7811 Kennedy Ln., Sarasota, FL 34240. Pastor Trebor Britt, 941320-4309. SJG5232@verizon.net

CLEANING SERVICES

Green Magic Cleaning Service

“Residential and Commercial”

Environmentally Conscious Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service

Free Pick Up & Delivery Service Call

from your home or business

941-275-4647

ExEcutivE Shirt SErvicE • houSEhold itEmS • SamE day SErvicE availablE

MOVING & STORAGE

AAA FLAT RATE MOVING AND STORAGE CO. SARASOTA’S MOVER OF CHOICE SINCE 1980 AROUND THE CORNER OR AROUND THE WORLD CALL OR EMAIL FOR A FREE MOVING ESTIMATE 941-922-4466 / AAAFLATRATE@AOL.COM

www.aaamovingsarasota.com PAVER CLEANERS

HOUSE WATCH

House Watch Sarasota Licensed and Insured

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

R. BRuce Whittinghill, llc (941) 955-1864

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

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

We don’t cut corners, we dust them.

HELENE M. HYLAND

A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

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

REALTOR®

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

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

(941) 780-4248

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

5145 Ocean Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34242

Insured, Bonded and Licensed by The National Home Watch Association.

(941) 961-4309

www.SuncoastHomeConcierge.com

Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

www.SheSellsSiestaKeySarasota.com

www.siestasand.net

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JULY 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

41

Classifieds / Here’s My Card REAL ESTATE AGENTS CONTINUED

TRANSPORTATION

HOMES FOR SALE

• 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

Sarasota’s Premier “Chauffeur”

• CANAL FRONT HOME: $999,000. 5157 Sandy Shore Ave, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4427877. Canal front home on a quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” street. Split plan 4 bedroom & 3 bath 2,493 square foot home with recently updated kitchen & bath. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders for added storm security. You will love lounging around the large pool on this oversized lot (14,352 SF) and dock with lift on the wide canal with easy access to world class boating & fishing. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • GRAND CANAL HOME: $1,070. 214 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4435268. Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on 2nd level makes nice office space. Screened pool area. Short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life of Siesta Village. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands.

941-376-7442 • THE POINTE - Renovated 2/2 penthouse with magnificent views. North to downtown Sarasota and South to Casey Key. See beautiful Neville Preserve and Little Sarasota Bay to the East and the Gulf of Mexico with Siesta’s amazing sunsets to the West. Underbuilding parking. Sold furnished.

MLS# A4406101, $499,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - Beautifully renovated and furnished move right in to this lovely 5th floor 2 bedroom 2 bath unit with incredible 270 degree views. Tile throughout. New kitchen and contemporary baths, trey ceilings and recessed lighting, Southern end of Siesta. Walk to Turtle Beach and three restaurants. Gated community with every amenity.

MLS# 4427052. $565,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Easy walking distance to Siesta Beach with a private deeded boat dock with lift and water views! Two bedroom, two bath with large glassed lanai overlooking marina. One car garage with attic storage. Gated community on a deep-water marina.

Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickleball, clubhouse. MLS# A4422616, $569,000.00 Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Across the street from Siesta Beach with a private deeded boat dock and water views! Renovated two bedroom, two bath. One car garage with attic storage. Gated community on a deep-water marina.

Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickleball, clubhouse. MLS# A4433033, $539,000.00 Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Gorgeously renovated 1450 sq. ft. end unit. 2/2 with deeded dock and 14k lb. lift. Attached one car garage with attic storage. Walk to Siesta Beach and Village. Gated community with pool, spa, tennis, pickle ball built around a deep water marina. MLS# A4439118, $659,000.00 Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - Largest floor plan at 1380 square feet in a 2/2 with spacious lanai overlooking the ICW and Bay to the east and the Gulf and Siesta sunsets to the west. Amazing views from every room. Gated with every amenity. MLS# A4438186, $549,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• TRULY FABULOUS 2/2 WITH PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS. Completely renovated TOP FLOOR END UNIT with exquisite finishes and furnishings the unit is being sold turnkey. The open floor plan with SOARING CEILINGS features a huge living room with views of the ICW and Bay. This is truly a must-see. 6285 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #307, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS#A4410196, $662,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255.

• ENJOY STUNNING SUNRISES AND SUNSETS from this lovely two bedroom, two bath PENTHOUSE condo at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. If you seek incomparable views look no further - wake to awe-inspiring sunrises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. 9393 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #P2, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4406101, $499,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255.

• NEWLY CONSTRUCTED Coastal Contemporary on the Grand Canal. Centrally located to Siesta Village and beaches. Natural light abounds this 3 bedrooms 3.5 bathrooms open floor plan with direct walkout access to the open designed saltwater pool and deck. Enjoy sunsets from your pool deck and balconies. This home is minutes by boat, paddle board or kayak to the Intercoastal Waterway.

4866 COMMONWEALTH DR, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4437382, $1,849,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 8941255.

• YEAR ROUND SUNSETS! This 10th-floor unit is perfectly positioned to enjoy gorgeous beachfront views! A very spacious, light, bright, clean and cared-for condo with a split floor plan and walk-in closets. The hurricane impact sliding doors (replaced 2018) lead from the living room and bedrooms to the huge screened lanai. Furniture is negotiable.

6300 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #1009, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4425862, $949,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255

Airport Rides Starting At Only

30 941.735.4732 $

RENTAL WANTED • 2 BD/2BA on Siesta Key. 6mo/Annual. Possible Lease/ Purchase. Prefer Gulfside. Furnished / Unfurnished. Single, Nonsmoker. 941-685-6726

RESTAURANTS

All Ports In Florida

Stress Free • Smooth and Easy Ask for Eddie • Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free service on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200.

• Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I or taxi. Call 941-735-4732

941-928-9200

RIDE THE KEY FREE

15-20 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME (Based upon traffic)

SERVICING

Siesta Key Beach Siesta Village Turtle Beach

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY

raine’s erly of Lor Form

By Appointment Only

941-346-7206

@MichaelZ 5900 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231

DRIVER TIPS ONLY

Restaurants and Accommodations Operating 10AM to 2AM Daily

www.JonnysOriginalFreeRide.com

Transportation for everyone on the Sun Coast Friendliest Ride In Town

We’ll take you to Doctor Visits, Pharmacies, Shopping, Airports and Cruise Lines (on the East and West coasts) and Much More!

Walk-Ins Welcome

Specializing in Pink & White

(941) 706-0860

4850 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 (The Landings Shopping Center)

Mon.- Sat. 9 AM-7 PM Sun. 11 AM-5 PM

Olde Fashion Barber Shop

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

ther”

“Hot La

941-312-6001

Southgate Barber Shop

(Across from the Westfield Siesta Key Mall)

2081 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239

Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday through Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-2

www.OldStyleBarberShop.com

SPORTS RENTALS / ACCESSORIES • Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key Village. 941-554-4242 • Siesta Key Bike & Kayak – Located on Siesta Key in Capt Curts Village serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach and Sarasota. We offer bikes, kayak rentals, kayak eco tours, paddleboards and scooters.

1224 Old Sickney Pt Rd. 941-346-0891 • Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

HOMES FOR SALE • CO-OP OPPORTUNITY NEAR SIESTA KEY: $104,900.

Mobile Estates is a resident owned 55 plus community located in a prime location one mile from Siesta Key in Sarasota. This home has been meticulously restored. A beautiful single wide mobile home with one large bedroom and one bath with a large attached lanai and shed. Maintenance fee $160 month.

Website: 2042champion.site for more info. Call Scott 215-2660402.

• SHORT WALK TO SIESTA BEACH: $429,900. 195 Vista Hermosa Circle, #9-A, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4189942 beautifully remodeled, 2 BR, 2 BA villa. Designer tile & carpet throughout. This villa is being sold turnkey furnished (with some exclusions). Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941376-7442 • PALM ISLAND HOME ON THE GRAND CANAL: $859,000. 322 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4199085 Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master BR and master BA. This house boasts a new boat lift on the Grand Canal. Privacy abounds with a lovely tropical view across the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • DEEDED BEACH ACCESS: $875,000. 1122 Horizon View Drive, Siesta Key, FL., MLS# A4420716 This is one of the closest properties to the beach without having the direct beachfront price on a street of multi-million dollar properties. 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.

Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • ACROSS FROM PUBLIC BEACH: $665,000 1001 Beach Road, Siesta Key, FL., MLS# A4426862 Enjoy views of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and Siesta Key canals from the 6th floor of your two large terraces as well as the downtown Sarasota lights. Generous square footage for a beach condo and both bedrooms are of generous size. This unit is offered turnkey furnished & tastefully renovated. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

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Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association (SSOVA) Adult and Junior volleyball players from across the country gathered on Siesta Beach for the Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association (SSOVA) Tournament. Sixty Five adult teams played on Saturday and 85 Junior and 24 Co-Ed teams competed on Sunday.

Tournament Director, Matthew Carlin related

Above: Just a handful of the 160 junior players who traveled a great distance to play in this year’s Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association Tournament on Siesta Beach

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

By Trebor Britt

they are continuing to seek local and national sponsors. He said, “This tournament is run by the players for the players.” Although the tournament focuses on amateur players, the top 3 finishers in the Men’s Open Division do earn prize money. For more information visit their website www.ssova.com/about-us.

Below: Helena Hebda (13) of Sarasota, strains to set the ball to her partner during the recent SSOVA Tournament on Siesta Beach

Lindsey Wood of Tampa, Jordyn Mulhern of Ocala, and Lauren Wood of Inverness, traveled to amazing Siesta Beach to play in the SSOVA Tournament. Jordyn and Lauren are teamed up in the Junior Tournament 16 year old Division. They play together for Max Performance Volleyball on a nationally ranked indoor team.

They are ranked third in Florida and 16th of 3,766 teams in the United States.

www.siestasand.net

Grayson Hall of Bradenton stretches across the sand for a dig in a Woman’s AA match on Siesta Beach. She started playing indoor volleyball when she was 7 years old.

Junior Division player, Helena Hebda (13) of Sarasota digs out a spike during a match in the 14 year old division of the Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association Tournament.

Looking for Siesta Sand off-island?

Pick up a copy at the following locations:

4&20 Pasty Co.......................................................................................5638 Swift Rd. A’s Sandwich...........................................................................6300 S. Tamiami Trail Abel’s Ice Cream: Southbridge Plaza................................... 1886 Stickney Pt. Rd. Alpine Steak House................................................................4520 S. Tamiami Trail Best Western Plus....................................................................6600 S. Tamiami Trail

Poison Info Center..................................... 1-800-282-3171

Casey Key Fish House................................................801 Blackburn Point, Osprey

Sarasota / Bradenton Intl. Airport..............941-359-2770

Corkscrew Deli: Landings Shopping Plaza * ...................4982 S. Tamiami Trail

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

nerWord Search

Culver’s.....................................................................................7520 S. Tamiami Trail Dutch Valley Restaurant.......................................................6721 S. Tamiami Trail Eager Beaver Carwash *.........................................................6449 S. Tamiami Trail Economy Tackle *....................................................................6018 S. Tamiami Trail Fresh Catch Market & Grill: Buccaneer Plaza...................7119 S. Tamiami Trail Gecko’s Restaurant.................................................................6606 S. Tamiami Trail

Answers to the WORD SEARCH found on page 33 www.TheMariner.com

om

Grasshopper Mexican Restaurant & Bar............................7253 S. Tamiami Trail Gulf Gate Food + Beer............................................................... 6528 Superior Ave. Hibiscus Suites.....................................................................1735 Stickney Point Rd. McDonalds................................................................................6347 S Tamiami Trail

as

Only for Eyes Optical / GG....................................................... 6541 Superior Ave. Philadelphia Cheesesteaks....................................................7523 S. Tamiami Trail Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar....................................................5353 S. Tamiami Trail Plaza Mexico Restaurant: Southbridge Plaza.................1894 Stickney Point Rd. Pride of the South Restaurant/GG........................................... 6616 Superior Ave. Rico’s Pizzeria & Pasta House............................................................. 1902 Bay Rd. Sarasota Brewing /GG................................................................ 6607 Gateway Ave. Solorzano’s Pizza /GG................................................................ 6670 Superior Ave. Special Nutrition Store: Southbridge Plaza........................ 1882 Stickney Pt. Rd. The Shop SRQ/GG..................................................................... 6625 Gateway Ave. Tony’s Chicago Dogs/GG.......................................................... 6569 Superior Ave. Word of Mouth/GG.................................................................... 6604 Gateway Ave. Interested in Distributing our Publication? Call 941-349-0194 NOTE: * Denotes availability first week of each month only.

®

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

Published by Island Visitor Publishing, LLC Contributing Writers and Photographers will be noted with bylines.

Guest commentary not necessarily the opinion of island Visitor Publishing, LLC Reproduction without written permission prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

All business bios are extensions of the display advertisements.

Island Visitor Publishing, 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. Island Visitor Publishing is not responsible for claims made by advertisers.

P.O. BOX 35086, SIESTA KEY, FL 34242 www.siestasand.net

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JULY 2019

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Kyan age 6, Bryson age 4, Kyle, Amanda from IL

Sunset Beach Resort

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44

Siesta Sand

JULY 2019

941.349.0194

Island Girls This month’s Island Girls are a triple play.

Patriotic BFF’s are Morgan of Bradenton, Laura and Monyka of Tampa. Competitive beach volleyball is the string that ties these three together.

www.siestasand.net