Why the world comes to Sarasota
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MEET STEPHANIE GANEY
WHO’S PLAYING TONIGHT
This Siesta Beach lifeguard truly sees the world through multiple lenses. The twin lenses of binoculars, the lenses God gave her, and her camera...
About 5 years ago I would go to the open blues jam at Ace’s Lounge in Bradenton and the man who absolutely stole the show was Tony Tyler...
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Coming Home After a Storm: Could Aging Water Treatment Plant Stand in the Way? By Robert Frederickson The primary drivers behind Sarasota County’s efforts to decommission the aging Siesta Key water treatment plant may be financial and environmental in nature, but for Island residents the most important factor behind the decision may just be the removal of a potential roadblock to their timely return home in the aftermath of a hurricane evacuation. We’ve all seen the images of frustrated property owners trying to get back home after a storm only to be turned away by authorities due to unsafe conditions in areas hit hardest by a storm. But Siesta hasn’t faced that scenario in the recent past. The storms that have forced an evacuation have either missed or skirted the area, allowing for a quick return for area residents. But what if
our luck turns? How will the county decide when residents can go home? And could the treatment plant going down be a factor in keeping island residents from a quick permanent return over the next two storm seasons before its scheduled closing by the end of 2016? “It’s certainly something we would consider,” said Ed McCrane, Chief of Sarasota County Emergency Service in a recent phone interview. “What we look at is whether or not the critical infrastructure is in place for the safety of residents.” McCrane is the point man on a committee of county officials that will consider both when an evacuation is called for and when it is safe for residents to return in the days leading up to and following an emergency event like a hurricane.
Top Left; Scott Dolan our Siesta Key Fish Monger wants everyone to know it’s “Grouper Season” see page 21 Lower Left; It’s time “The Snowy Plover Nesting Season is Here” see page 26 Top Right; The 84th Annual Tarpon Tournament begins May 10th thru June 15th, Siesta Key business sponsors include CB’s Saltwater Outfitters and Capt Curt’s see page 28
Florida: The perils and profits of pot
Commentary:
Three Groins in a Fountain
By Stan Zimmerman
By Peter van Roekens You probably remember the film and lyrics of Three Coins in the Fountain each one seeking happiness. According to the Army Core of Engineers (COE) three groins are required on South Lido to retain the sand that the COE plans to place on Lido Beach. These groins will slow the erosion of the new sand and may add an extra two to three years. Is this happiness and how likely is the fountain of Big Pass to bless any of them? There is a vast quantity of water that flows in and out of Sarasota Bay via Big Pass twice each day. It is so strong that many floating aids to navigation and even deeply drilled fixed aids to navigation get washed away repeatedly. This force of tidal currents scours the bottom and washes the sand in and out of the channel. One day one
The team includes members of the county utilities department, public works department and sheriff’s office. In the event of an approaching storm, McCrane and his staff will consult with personnel from the National Hurricane Center, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, FEMA and local municipalities to consider the threat level the area faces. If there is agreement that an evacuation is warranted, that recommendation will go to the County Administrator, currently Thomas Harmer, who would then ostensibly make the final call, though in the unlikely event of a disagreement, the emergency chief is empowered by statute to make the decision on his own or approach the County Commission to formalize the decision. Continued on page 29
may find a lump of sand in the channel limiting the vessels that can safely transit. The next day it can be gone. It is well known in the re-nourishing business that natural beaches erode much more slowly than re-nourished beaches. The major reason is that natural beaches have a much gentler slope which tends to make them self re-nourishing. And then you add groins or jetties. The inevitable result is that the downdrift beach loses sand while the updrift beach retains sand. Venice Inlet is a good example of this. Their jetty has eroded the beach and requires continual maintenance to retain a semblance of a reasonable beach. The COE currently plans to place three groins on South Lido Key. Commentary continued on page 11
voters in November could make the Sunshine State the 20th. It leads to a pair of interesting questions. Is reefer madness about to sweep down the peninsula? And what’s in it for me?
Origins of the pot ban
Photo Source: Reuters
American law is in a literal pot hole. Marijuana possession, sale and cultivation is about as illegal as it gets. It is banned under an international treaty promulgated by the United States. It is illegal under U.S. Code. And it is illegal in Florida. Yes two U.S. states – Washington
and Colorado – have legalized pot for all uses including recreation. The U.S. Treasury earlier this year released a finding that profits from pot sales will not be seized if they enter the U.S. banking system. And 19 states have approved marijuana for medical use. Florida
What were they smoking in that peace pipe? Yep, you got it partner. wacky weed. And what did Queen Victoria use to ease her menstrual cramps? Yes, m’lady it was Mary Jane. And how did Astronomer Carl Sagan come up with all those far-out ideas? Reefer, dude. Cannabis Sativa is a hardy plant, known worldwide for a variety of uses. Its seeds have been pressed for cooking oil. Its fibers were used to fashion rope and cloth. But it is best known as a producer of a psychoactive chemical mix commonly called THC – the stuff that puts “wacky” in the weed. Even cows like it. Continued on page 19
Abel’s Ice Cream Celebrates Third Year “It’s hard to believe we’ve been open for three years,” say the Abels. “The time has flown these last three years and it has been a magnificent and rewarding experience. The relationships we’ve developed with both our neighborhood businesses, charity organizations, local and seasonal residents, tourist with their families who frequently visit the Siesta Key region and families who visit occasionally is very gratifying. The comments shared with us regarding our community continues to remind us how fortunate we are to reside in the Sarasota region.” Bill Abel says. Abel goes on to say “One key to the success we’ve enjoyed is the quality of the Florida made, national award brand of ice cream we sell. Since 2009 this brand has been honored with 14 awards issued by the National Ice Cream Retailer Association.
The Captain’s Chocolate has been honored once and Vanilla four times. Our hot fudge and malt flavoring for our malted milk shakes are made exclusively for our group with the quality standards of the 1960’s. It brings customers back on a regular basis.” The Abels expressed their gratitude for the many notes received from families who visited their shop while on vacation and favorable comments made by area residents pertaining to their shop, portion sizes and fair prices. The Abels say it isn’t work, it’s fun!
Abel’s Ice Cream 1886 Stickney Point Road - 941-921-5700 Between New Balance & Stonewood Grill Learn more about us at WWW.ABELSICECREAM.COM
LOCAL MAPS & INFORMATION See Page 17