Why the world comes to Sarasota
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MARCH 2015 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
BEACH WEDDING
Julie Weaver of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Kraig Burzlaff of Andover, Massachusetts exchanged vows surrounded by family and close friends
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WORD OF MOUTH
Is a Roundabout REALLY Needed? By Roger Drouin For architect and Siesta resident Mark Smith, all the traffic on the Key isn’t a bad sign—Siesta is the No. 1 beach, after all. “There are a ton of people out here,” Smith said. But the cars aren’t lessening on the roadways during peak times of the year, and now the Florida Department of Transportation is considering options to handle the traffic while trying to improve pedestrian safety at one of the Key’s main intersections. A roundabout is one of the options for the Midnight Pass Road and Beach Road intersection, and this proposal has many who live and work on the Key wondering what the impacts will be on the major thoroughfare. “We have many questions,” said Alana Tomasso, Chair of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and General Manager at Midnight Cove. Tomasso wonders: How will a roundabout impact vehicle traffic—especially during events such as the annual Crystal Classic sand sculpting competition or when everyone leaves the beach during a rainstorm? Tomasso is not the only one asking questions. “Let’s assume they decide to do this and build it, how will the roundabout be built and when,” asks Michael Shay, President of the Siesta Key Association (SKA). But his biggest question echoes that of Tomasso: what happens to traffic once a roundabout is built? “We have enough of a problem right now, especially in season,” Shay said. Continued on page 28 Collision Summary & Collision Diagram for this intersection located on page 28
Right turn signal option
Roundabout option
The Many-Faceted Career of Charlotte Marin By Diana Colson The “Original Word of Mouth” now offering a Dinner Menu
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WHO’S PLAYING TONIGHT
An interview with Dean Johanesen
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ISLAND FISHMONGER
Charlotte Marin‘s life centers around the water. She double-majored in Biology and Spanish at Eckerd College and now holds a full-time job working as a marine biologist in fisheries. This entrepreneurial and beautiful young lady founded Mermaid Swim School, and has built it into a thriving business. She recently founded a swimsuit company called FLORIDITA SWIMWEAR, where she designs and produces handmade, luxury bathing suits in beautiful patterns and colors, all handsomely studded with embroidery and beading. Her fluent Spanish comes in handy, for her designs are produced at a factory in Medellin, Colombia. Born Charlotte Mansfield, she was raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin, located at the edge of the Mississippi River. Brought up by a young single mom, Charlotte spent an idyllic childhood enjoying nature, crafting and searching for new swimming holes. She attended Catholic School, where—as a young fashionista—she was forever pushing the limits of the dress code by wearing patterned tights and piling on the accessories. Continued on page 24
SKA
Working for You By Catherine Luckner, SKA Vice President
Siesta Key resident and owner of Floridita Swimwear, Charlotte Marin, with swimsuit model at the International Swim Fashion Week in Curacao. Photo by Nestor G. Zacarce.
23 years of Big Pass and island protection – SKA working for you. The ebb shoal of Sarasota Big Pass and channel have no history of dredging. Consideration for this area to be dredged, for either navigation or sand source, have been excluded based on its natural protective function from storm surge, erosion and its sand source for beach renewal. Big Pass has remained a naturally navigable channel through all years of known measurement. Dr. Leatherman, also known as “Dr.Beach”, once remarked he was amazed our Pass had never been dredged, as most Pass areas in Florida must now be artificially maintained. Our Siesta Key public beach has never required renourishment. In 1992 the “save our sand!” call to action was set in motion by Siesta Key Association and island residents. Continued on page 24
LOCAL MAPS & INFORMATION Some suggestions for day trips in water world from the Island Fishmonger, by Scott Dolan
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ARTS ON THE HORIZON...............26 SPRING COMES TO SIESTA KEY..... ................................................................32 ASSOCIATION MATTERS..............33
See Page 17
Abel’s Ice Cream at Village Walk’s HOPE in a BACK PACK In September 2010, a group of concerned citizens founded the Village Walk’s HOPE in a BACK PACK program to alleviate hunger among school children in Sarasota County. 100% of all funds raised are used to purchase food to meet the needs of these hungry children at Fruitville Elementary School. Volunteers have packed 148 bags of healthy food during the school year for weekly distribution to needy (K-5th) children in their special backpacks. This provides nutrition for children during weekends and holidays when they might otherwise be without a meal.
The annual fundraiser was held at the Village Walk clubhouse in mid-February and was attended by 229 Village Walk residents. The evening included food and beverages, performances by students, live music and a silent auction. Abel’s Ice Cream was on hand to serve ice cream to all attendees. “Many Village Walk residents are our customers and it is personally rewarding to give back for such a great cause organized by this community,” Bill Abel, owner of Abel’s Ice Cream said. Anyone interested in donating to this charity, please view their website at www.backpacks.kids@gmail.com or visit
Sharon Leber of HOPE in a BACK PACK and Bill Abel of Abel’s Ice Cream
Abel’s Ice Cream located at 1886 Stickney Point Road to get a donation pamphlet. Learn more about us at WWW.ABELSICECREAM.COM