IV Siesta Sand - August 2013 by Brion Palmer

Local Postal Customer

Bill Schustik

GECKO’S GIVES BACK 21 years ago, best buddies and tennis partners Mike Quillen and Mike Gowan teamed up...

An American Troubadour A remarkable artist lives here in Sarasota...

Read more on page 17

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Big Pass & New Pass Shoals Eyed d o o w y l l o H for Beach Renourishment Goes y e K a t s e i S

By Paul Roat

Master sand sculptor Brian Wigelsworth of Sarasota, sculpting an image of the lead actress in the short film ‘No Real Than You Are’. The sand sculpture will be used in the film. The photos shown are of Audrey Katherine Scherer that Brian used as a guide for his sand sculpture. Scherer portrays the character, Sasha Whitaker who spirals into opiate addiction. Photos by Trebor Britt

An ambitious 50-year project to renourish sand to the beaches of Lido Key is on its way to have preliminary plans presented to the public, hopefully by October or November. The project is estimated at an initial $20 million to bring about 1 million cubic yards of sand on shore. Also included in the plan is installation of three erosion control groins at the southern stretch of the Key jutting into the Gulf of Mexico. The sand for this big project won’t be coming ashore for probably three years, according to Sarasota City Engineer Alex DavisShaw. However, another small plan could see sand move ashore in about 18 months to fill in beach lost after Tropical Storm Debby.

The small project Tropical Storm Debby was a slow-moving, relatively An aerial photo of Lido Key looking north. Siesta Key is at bottom, Bird Key at mild storm system that mostly impacted the Florida Panhandle in late June 2012. However, large waves severely eroded beaches along top right. Lido is scheduled for renourishment in early 2015, with a much larger project in the works. Photo courtesy of Western Florida. Lido was particularly hard hit. A Historical Geography of Southwest Florida Waterways City and county officials applied to federal and state officials for funds to renourish the central section of Lido Beach. Funds have mostly white, and compatible with the existing material on the shore. been approved, and a permit is expected by early 2015. DavisShaw said bidding for a dredging company to pump about Cost of the project is estimated at $2.4 to $2.5 million, she said, with 120,000 cubic yards of sand ashore would then take place and the sand most of the funding coming from federal sources. Story continued on page 26 from the shoal offshore of New Pass would begin. The sand is clean,

Abel’s Ice Cream serves up popular selections at the Siesta Key Chamber’s Learn more about us at WWW.ABELSICECREAM.COM 4th of July Fireworks VIP party. Bill & Norma Abel expressed their appreciation for the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce sponsored public beach annual fireworks display by serving ice cream at the VIP party preceding the event. The Fireworks on the beach offered both residents and tourists a memorable holiday. “Our Chamber involvement has had a very positive influence in developing our business these first two years.” the Abel’s said. “Back by popular request Carrot Cake Ice Cream (Carrot Cake Ice Cream with fresh walnuts and cream cheese frosting weave); this flavor became very popular during the winter season when used in our Ice Cream

Pies in an Oreo Cookie crust, a value at $12.99”, said Bill. Abel’s Ice Cream Cakes are made with two ice cream flavors sandwiched between a layer of their famous Hot Fudge mixed with Oreo Cookie pieces, homemade butter cream frosting and decorated. Every pie and cake is made to order to ensure freshness and quality. Stellar Coffee flavored ice cream (Rich Coffee Ice Cream with fudge & mini dark chocolate coffee cups) continues to be a #1 seller followed by Raspberry Truffle (Raspberry Ice Cream with raspberry ribbon & dark chocolate raspberry cups) and Coconut Almond Fudge (Tropical Coconut Ice Cream with fudge ribbon and

whole roasted almonds). Newly added flavors to their 36 flavor selection are Chocolate Raspberry Truffle (A light raspberry flavored rich chocolate ice cream with raspberry ribbon and dark chocolate mini raspberry cups.), and Strawberry Cheese Cake (Cheesecake ice cream with chunks of real cheesecake and laced with strawberries). At Abel’s you’re assured a wonderful experience when you and your family enjoy your ice cream, served with a cup of filtered water, in their squeaky clean shop. 1886 Stickney Point Road - Between New Balance and Stonewood Grill - Open 7 days/week - 921-5700

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Despite the rain and soggy grounds everyone came with smiling faces. Those who braved the intermittent downpours were rewarded with a delicious and generous buffet, scrumptious ice cream, and great entertainment. In the end, the weather cooperated as the sky cleared up in time for another year of dazzling fireworks.

Deck Deck Boats Boats •• Pontoon Pontoon Boats Boats •• Runabouts Runabouts •• Center Center Consoles Consoles

Additional photos on page 26

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Island Chatter

A Message From Your Siesta Key Association

Beverly B. Arias

Director, Siesta Key Association siestakeyassociation.com Last month, the Siesta Key Association did not hold its regular meeting because it fell on the July 4th holiday. On that Independence Day holiday, our Florida summer rainy season delivered its expected abundance of showers, but the skies miraculously cleared just minutes before the start of a most spectacular fireworks show on Siesta Beach. The holiday and all it stands for always gives us great reason to be thankful for what we have, and for what we still can accomplish and protect.

Whether on Siesta Key for work, play, or residence, it is easy to be thankful for the beauty of this small island and the pleasure and memories it continuously brings. It’s no surprise that over several years our own Siesta Beach has been honored with top ranking as best in Florida, best in the U.S., and best in the world. With increasing public interest in our beach community, it is ever more important to preserve the Siesta Key experience. Much of this maintenance happens behind the scenes, and, thankfully, volunteerism and civil service are alive and well on this island. With our community Photos by Ryan Magee associations and

dedicated zoning and law enforcement officers, our residents, business owners, and local government representatives, there is strong collaborative effort to keep up this special place and prominence. Since its founding in 1948, the Siesta Key Association (SKA) has been dedicated to supporting the interests of island residents and property owners toward maintaining the quality of life on Siesta Key. In partnership with other community organizations including the Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA), the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce (SKCC), and the Siesta Key Condo Association, SKA’s volunteer Board members continuously seek information, communication, and solutions for creating a safer, more efficient, eco-friendly, and attractive environment for all who visit or live on the Key. As an introduction to some of SKA’s involvement in the past few years, let’s take a trip along our familiar Siesta Key roads. Starting southward from Siesta Dr. to Higel Ave., trash pickup is done every few months by SKA and SKVA volunteers in the Adopt-a-Road effort that they started in 2003. Turning onto Ocean Blvd, you’ll spot one of the four speed radar signs installed around the island to discourage high speed driving on streets shared by cars, pedestrians, and bikers. Story continued on page 20

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Siesta Key News

By Stan Zimmerman

• Six-year SK Village lawsuit ends

through the village becomes more difficult.

While it concerned only a small vacation of right-of- way, the issue sparked three lawsuits over the past six years. And now it’s settled with the county ceding the small strip of land and paying $75,000 to restaurateur Chris Brown. His attorney Morgan Bentley elicited laughter from county commissioners when he said, “This will be the end of six years of our relationship, and I’ve never seen a relationship ID like to end more.” At issue was 804 square feet of right-of-way near Ocean and Columbus Boulevards in Siesta Village. Over the years, the issues behind the suits included a whopping 1,500 percent increase in one of Browns property tax bills, a $2,500 error in Browns parking assessment, and a question of liability for pedestrians on the disputed rightof-way.

• Turtle Beach to get more sand

• Merchants, residents to vet outdoor displays A county code enforcement zone sweep of Siesta Village in June was a major blow to retailers who displayed merchandise outside their shops. That’s a violation of the code, so racks of clothes disappeared and so did sales. One shop owner said her income dropped from $1,600 per day to $195 per day, and others reported similar nose-dives. The Siesta Key Village Association [of merchants], the Siesta Key Association [to residents] and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce all became involved in the issue. The culprit is the Siesta Key Overlay District, which provides separate rules and regulations for the island compared to the rest of the county. Siesta Key unlike most barrier islands does not have a municipal government, and is ruled instead by the Sarasota County Commission. The commissioners were contacted by the island organizations, and decided to punt the issue back at them. If the merchants and residents can come up with agreeable language on sidewalk displays (including restaurant sandwich boards), the county commission said it would consider making changes to the overlay district. Part of the issue concerns public use of sidewalks. If they are jammed with clothes racks and sandwich boards, walking and bicycling

Beach renourishment on the southern half of Siesta Key lasts about a decade. From December 2006 to March 2007, the county put almost a million cubic yards of sand dredged offshore to the beach between Point of Rocks and the old Midnight Pass. Now the county has authorized the engineering to do it again with $5 million from the Tourist Development Tax. Routine evaluations show erosion along the area, and routine nourishment is now scheduled for 2015.

• Assault on beach birds continues More vandalism of the nesting area of endangered birds has been reported on the Siesta Key Public Beach. Regular readers know this has been an on-going problem this year. This time the vandals hit the area between Beach Accesses 9 and 10, an area that had been trouble free. The Audubon Society’s Chick Patrol found somebody dragged lawn furniture through the area. Ten days later the patrol found a buffer had been torn down. While the fate of snowy plovers had been at risk earlier, with multiple nests lost due to human activity, the current focus is on another threatened species, the least tern. All of the tern nests have been lost. Deputies and officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission have been monitoring the area. One FWC officer saw a person with night-vision equipment in the protected area about 11:00 p.m. one night, but the suspect ran away. Only about 220 snowy plovers remain in Florida, according to the FWC. One small bright spot; two snowy plover chicks survived their nesting are now fledglings learning how to fly.

• Chamber moves slightly The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has moved. About ten paces. It is now located at 5118 Ocean Blvd, closer to the beach than the old location at 5114 Ocean Blvd. but remains in Davidson Plaza. The new offices will include an updated visitor’s center.

• Solar smasher proposed Michael Shay is on a mission. He’s the vice president of the Siesta Key Association, and is investigating recycling trash cans for Siesta Village. He’s been prowling regular garbage pails in the village to see if there is enough recyclable material to make his dream realistic. It’s no surprise he found a large number of plastic water bottles, plus cans and glass bottles. He noted a number of stores now sport signs requesting shoppers not come in with food or beverages. Perhaps a sign of changing times, Shay found the trash bin outside the Beach Club contained a large number of water bottles. Indeed the bar offers patrons water. Russell Matthes, past president of the Village Association noted Venice has a solar-powered recycling bin with a compactor inside. Shay said a company similar to Waste Management services the solar recycling bin. Matthes suggested the Village Association explore grants for such units, and perhaps ask Waste Management to send a representative to a future meeting to explain how they might handle the solar bin.

Gecko’s Gives Back By Diana Colson

21 years ago, best buddies and tennis partners—Mike Quillen and Mike Gowan— teamed up for a restaurant adventure, and Gecko’s Grill & Pub was born. Five Gecko’s later, the “Two Mikes” have proved that their winning philosophies of hospitality and service-tocommunity have really paid off. Increasingly they are sharing their successes with our town. As a Co-Owner of Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Mike Quillen was a recent recipient of the prestigious Standing is Michael Quillen and 2013 National Restaurant seated is Mike Gowan Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Florida Cornerstone Humanitarian award. These awards are given nationally to honor restaurants that go “above and beyond” in community service, a description that fits Gecko’s like a glove! The aim of this award is not only to honor the individual, but also to inspire other restaurateurs to become involved in their local communities. Through the creative use of his restaurants, Quillen has provided valuable community service right here in Sarasota. Gecko’s has become a supporter of Operation Second Chance, an organization that serves America’s ill and wounded combat veterans. Gecko’s is also a benefactor of the non-profit Y Youth Shelter, a safe haven for homeless children 10-17 years of age. The shelter badly needed to replace two aging vans used to transport kids. Gecko’s responded by running a “Be a Van Fan” campaign to help raise money. At Gecko’s 21-year Birthday Celebration—which took place recently at The Landings location—guests turned out in droves to cheer as the Y Youth Shelter unveiled their new used van. Story continued on page 29

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• Commissions set tax rates

Sarasota City and County Commissions set their not-toexceed tax rates. The county rate stays the same at 3.93 mills, or $3.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. City commissioners bumped their tax rate to 3.1738 mills from 2.8480 mills, an eight percent jump. Both budgets will be reviewed at a pair of public hearings in September, but the proposed tax rates cannot be raised. They form the basis of a mailing to property owners called a TRIM notice – truth in millage – alerting them to the date of the public hearings. The city proposed $816,000 in new spending, about half for projects approved at a November retreat to develop “strategic initiatives.” The other half springs from a $300,000 effort to re-write the city’s zoning code into a “form-based code,” and $200,000 to replace failing audio-visual equipment allowing the broadcast of meetings at city hall. Neither tax rate will raise enough in taxes to pay for anticipated expenses during the next fiscal year –Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2014. Both will continue to raid their reserves to bring their budgets into balance.

• City overhauls police department

Although she’s only been on the job six months, Sarasota City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino has made sweeping changes in the department. The organization was reformed into four bureaus, two of them headed by officers recently promoted by DiPino. Former sergeant turned Captain Pat Robinson will head the largest of the bureaus – patrol operations. The city is losing 17 sworn officers due to budget cuts. Of the 158 survivors, 98 will report to Robinson. Veteran Captain Lucias Bonner will run the Office of Professional Standards, responsible for the departments many volunteers, as well as crime prevention, research and planning and internal affairs.

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• Payne Park gets leash law

Sarasota’s big downtown park east of Washington Blvd. joins the list of city parks requiring dogs to be on a leash. Payne Park joins Gillespie, Arlington and Bayfront Parks which also demand owners leash their dogs. The decision by city commissioners followed another restriction to ban dogs from the new children’s circus-themed playground in Payne Park.

• A summer of roadwork

Sarasota residents and summer visitors will need to be flexible for the next several months. There are two large projects and a number of small ones that will result in road closures and detours. The biggest project will be along Old Bradenton Road between University Parkway and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The rehab will be a demonstration project for several techniques to make a “complete street.” Those will include low-impact design for stormwater, a five-foot wide median separating the travel lanes, and large bike lanes on both sides painted green. The idea for the roadway rehab is to help tie together the “university corridor” between the University of South Florida, New College and the Ringling School of Art and Design. The Old Bradenton Road project is expected to last through December.

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• Laurel Park gets security blanket

Sarasota’s most charming downtown neighborhood is Laurel Park, composed of 1920s-era bungalows and duplexes. It is surrounded by land zoned for high-rise buildings. For years the Laurel Park residents have fought for a voice in what could be built around their neighborhood. Meanwhile the city and developers wanted to retain a downtown zoning trait called “administrative site plan approval,” where no public hearings were needed before staffers could sign off on plans and building permits. For neighbors, the first inkling of a new tower would be the arrival of construction machinery. A compromise has been reached, giving neighbors advance warning of projects and requiring two meetings between developers and neighbors. The first meeting would occur before any plans were filed, so residents could have early input and give local knowledge. The second meeting would be held after the plans are filed but before they are approved. Neighbors worried developers could simply ignore their advice, so the compromise also includes a provision for an appeal to the planning board and even the city commission where the plans could be modified or even killed. The compromise is called the Laurel Park Overlay District, and has been proposed for use city wide as a possible model for neighborhood-developer relations.

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A second project will rehab downtown streets, thanks to the Downtown Improvement District. Improvements to sidewalks, landscaping, pedestrian crossings and parking are all planned. The district says all the work will be done by Thanksgiving. Merchants are edgy because there will be some street closings, and there are ugly memories of business failures following street closures accompanying the construction of the 1350 condo tower at Main and Palm, as well as the building of the Five-Points roundabout. Meanwhile the city’s usual summertime repaving program is in full swing. About 12 miles of streets all over the city will get a fresh surface.

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love and hope we all have for her.” To learn more about Minnah and her unofficial notfor-profit, Sew Good, please contact Madonna at 941-3204477 or madonna.jacobs@verizon.net. To learn more about the Center for Building Hope, log on to their website at centerforbuildinghope.org or contact Dianne Whitten at 941-921-5539. To learn more about Restore Innocence, log on to their website at restoreinnocence.org.

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The Landings Shopping Center The Landings Shopping Center Center The Landings Shopping 48004800 S Tamiami Trail S Tamiami Trail Trail 4800 S Tamiami Sarasota, FL 34231 Sarasota, FL 34231 Sarasota, FL 34231 941-923-9080 941-923-9080 941-923-9080 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

www.edwardjones.com MemberMember SIPC www.edwardjones.com SIPC

“The Landings Plaza”

4982 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 941-925-3955 Fax 926-0066 View menu at corkscrewdeli.com

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SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Sheriff’s Report - June, 30 -July22, 2013 THEFT DRUG/ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS

PUBLIC BEACH 3

THE VILLAGE ASSAULT

ROBBERY 2 DUI

ELSEWHERE ON THE KEY 1 1

9 2

Most notable this month: thefts occurring at the Beach Beach- goers are reminded to lock their car doors before hitting the sand and to secure their valuables before leaving them unattended on the shore! Public Beach: Theft 8, Drug/ alcohol violations 3, & Assault 2 OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE VIOLATIONS: • 6/30: Misdemeanor /Theft 5900 Block Midnight Pass Rd. A pair of Costas sunglasses was stolen from a beach chair while they were unattended. • 7/8: Felony/ Burglary Vehicle 1220 Block Old Stickney Pt Rd. A victim reported multiple fishing items stolen from an unlocked area of her boat while it was parked at the marina. • 7/8: Felony/ Grand Theft Siesta Beach. Two Bags containing a wallet, cell phone, clothing and other personal items were stolen from the sand while the victims were in the water.

• 7/11: Burglary Of An Occupied Dwelling /Felony Tremont Street. A couple awakened by their barking dog and noises upstairs. A 21 year old male, apparently under the influence of alcohol and possibly some type of hallucinogenic, had shattered two of their windows before being scared away. The college student was found calling out for help in the canal behind the house. A neighbor detained him until police arrived. The disorientated, soaking wet young male denied any wrong doing and claimed he was only walking home. • 7/14: Stolen Vehicle Update 1000 Block Point Of Rocks. Complainant informed Sheriff’s office that a jet ski originally reported stolen had been found drifting in the water. It had apparently broken free from it’s mooring and had never been stolen. • 7/17: Felony/ Grand Theft Siesta Beach. A beach bag containing a wallet and a phone were stolen when the victim left it on the sand unattended for about 10 minutes. • 7/18: Felony /Burglary Vehicle North Basin Ln Marina. A mobile marine repair service reported that a piece of equipment was stolen off of a boat. The boat was parked in a secured marina. It appears the suspects came by water to commit this crime. •7/19:Felony/ Burglary Vehicle 7000 Block Sanderling Rd. Multiple items were reported stolen off of a boat parked in a private, locked marina. The boat would have been accessible only by water. •7/20: Misdemeanor/ Petit Theft Siesta Beach. A beachgoer reported that a temporary license plate was removed from his vehicle in the beach parking lot. •7/21: Misdemeanor/ Petit Theft 6300 Block Midnight Pass Rd. A beach bag containing a phone and an ipod was stolen off of the beach. The victim had stepped away for about 45 minutes.

Not Just For The

Florida’s Criminal of the Month Man Robs Store After Applying For Job 7/11/2013 One Florida job applicant found a bold new way to stand out from the competition. Police say Anthony Thomas, 33, filled out a job application at a gas station in Ocala, Fla., immediately before robbing the place, CF News 13 reported. Apparently he was very thorough in the application, though, because police were able to use the details he provided to track him down after the robbery. Thomas filled out the form at around 10 a.m. Tuesday, and shortly thereafter, he allegedly reached into the cash drawer and grabbed about $130, according to the Ocala Star Banner. Investigators say the theft was caught on surveillance video. Police say Thomas tried to fight them off, but failed, WFTV reported. They added he told them, “I didn’t rob no store.” No word on whether he got the job. Story courtesy of Huffington Post

HOLIDAYS!

• Picnics • Family Reunions • Beach Baskets

Make every gathering hassle-free with a Honey Baked Ham or Turkey Breast!

Offer valid 08/01/13 - 08/31/13 Valid only at the HoneyBaked retail location listed below. Must present coupon at time of purchase to receive offer. May not be combined with any other offer. Only one coupon per person per visit. While supplies last. Offer not valid on catalog, online, gift certificate, gift card or catering/delivery purchases.

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

SAVINGS FOR YOU!

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Bone-In Half Ham 7-9 lb. While supplies last! (Reg. $49-$63) 4601 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida

–Weird News

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Siesta Key Chamber Celebrates New Digs along with Señor Siesta’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce celebrated their move two doors down along with Señor Siesta’s ribbon cutting ceremony. Latin cuisine, beer, wine and live music was shared and enjoyed by all in attendance.

A glimpse of Siesta Key Chamber’s new location

The official ribbon cutting ceremony takes place for Señor Siesta complete with a giant scissor, Chamber support, and the many well-wishers

Martha from Le Grand Bisou and Kevin Cooper, Executive Director of the Siesta Key Chamber Señor Siesta provided a nice array from their menu selections

Best Sports Bar and Best Dinner $ Under 10!

Additional Photos on page 25

941-923-8896

Your Family Neighborhood Grill and Sports Connection www.GeckosGrill.com 5 Convenient Locations

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

City Pizza - A Southern Italian Restaurant By Jaye Clements Fresh tomatoes, garlic & basil are just a few of the fresh ingredients in authentic Italian cuisine… “All fresh ingredients” are the key to great homemade Italian food says Frank, owner of City Pizza. His wife and co-owner MaryLou states that “quality ingredients are what make the difference”. They both agree making each item to order is the only way to go! Forget the frozen dough and the cookie cutter pizza places it takes time and talent to make quality dishes. After trying the cheese pizza, I can attest their homemade, hand-tossed pizza was delicious! It’s not your typical chain pizza, its authentic NY style pizza! The restaurant features your traditional entrees like Frank’s favorites, Lasagna and Ziti Calabrais. You know it’s Italian when it’s made by a second generation Italian chef from NYC. In 1989, they decided to leave the cold winters of NYC behind and become full time residents and business owners on the key. Their son owns Tavern on Main and their daughter also lives in Sarasota. Most of the Segreti’s free time (after long hours of work) is spent with family and enjoying their two precious grandchildren, ages 14 & 2. The couple has remodeled and expanded their operation to include more capacity and a new bar with Craft beer and premium wines. They offer domestic and imported beer & wine with 24 beers on tap. In the midst of creating something special they have made a mark on the key for great casual Italian dining at reasonable pricing. The ambience there is warm with a welcoming family atmosphere. When asked what MaryLou likes best about owning a restaurant on the key, she says “I love meeting people!” It is a nice place to get together, sit back, relax and enjoy some good food with family and friends. It’s a perfect spot for family gatherings and parties with their new spacious dining

area. For a night out on the key try the friendly Siesta Key neighborhood Italian restaurant and discover why brick oven cooking reigns superior. “Everything is made to order” states Frank (except the gluten free items) and large parties are always welcome. I would recommend trying the pizza made in a traditional brick oven. Frank’s favorite topping is Pepperoni. Homemade hand tossed dough is made with an infinite number of toppings. You’ll be satisfied no matter how you slice it. You may dine in or enjoy the pet friendly outside patio seating. The restaurant is close to the beach and makes a perfect stop after the beach. The restaurant is family owned and operated and you’ll find both Frank and MaryLou on hand every day. Specializing in Southern Style Italian food and pizza –there is a large selection to choose from on the menu. The restaurant offers American craft beers, premium wines, micro brews, an extensive menu including; Pasta, (the pasta comes in many shapes and sizes with many different toppings to complement each), Seafood (including local Grouper), Pizza, Calzones, Stromboli Rolls, Hot Subs, Cold Subs, Burgers, Appetizers, Veggie Sides, Salads, a children’s menu and home-style desserts… Veggie options are available including Veggie Pizza’s, Marinara Pastas, Greek Salads, Sautéed vegetables, baked potatoes, etc . Gluten free pasta and dough are available. City Pizza, Siesta Key’s own neighborhood Italian family restaurant!

Located at 6645 Midnight Pass Rd. Sarasota, 34242 Open 7 days a week: Sunday – Thursday 11am to 10 pm Friday & Saturday 11am to 11pm. Off season: September 10th – December 15th, 4-10pm Dine In – Take out or Delivery (delivery up to 3 miles) Phone 941-349-4490 www.citypizzaofsarasota.com

Pizza • Pasta • Salads • Subs and More Open 7 Days a Week: Sun.-Thurs. 11 am-10 pm; Fri. and Sat. 11 am-11 pm

Call For QUICK TAKE-OUT and DELIVERY 6645

PIZZA

CASUAL FAMILY DINING • FULL ITALIAN MENU Thin CrustTo Hand Tossed Everything Is Made Order Spacious New Dining Room •14”-6 Patioslices.....$12.00 Seating 12”.................. $ 9.95 Parties Welcome • Friendly Atmosphere 16”-8 slices...$14.00 18”-12 slices...$16.00 Sicilian 14x16” (Thick)-8 slices...$16.00

Visit Our

NEW BAR

■ Gluten Free Crust 12”...$13.95 ■ Additional Toppings. . .$ 2.00 Where We Offer $ 4.00Beers On Tap ■ Gourment Toppings... Have A Craft Beer Or1.25 Wine At Our Bar ■ Half Topping...................$ Waiting For 2.25 Your Take-Out! ■ HalfWhile Gourmet.................$ STANDARD TOPPINGS

MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD, SIESTA KEY, FLORIDA

PIZZA BY THE SLICE

Reg. Slice (Thin Crust).....$3.00 Sicilian Slice (Thick Crust).....$3.50 White Slice.....$3.50 Call For QUICK TAKE-OUT Extra Toppings (Standard) 50¢ Gourmet Toppings $1.25 and DELIVERY

CASUAL FAMILY DINING • FULL ITALIAN MENU Everything Is Made To Order Spacious New Dining Room • Patio Seating Parties Welcome • Friendly Atmosphere

Visit Our

NEW BAR Where We Offer

24 Beers On Tap

Have A Craft Beer Or Wine At Our Bar While Waiting For Your Take-Out!

Italian Sausage, Sliced Meatballs, Pepperoni, Ham, Broccoli, Anchovies, Strip Bacon, Canadian Bacon, Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Onions, Black Olives, Green Olives, Sliced Tomatoes, Fresh Garlic, Spinach

GOURMET TOPPINGS

Artichoke, Feta Cheese, Eggplant, Grilled Chicken, Shrimp, Clams, 6645 Midnight Pass Road in Crescent Plaza Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Portabella Mushrooms

941-349-4490

6645 Midnight Pass Road in Crescent Plaza

CALL FOR QUICK TAKE-OUT AND DELIVERY 941-349-4490

941-349-4490

www.citypizzaofsarasota.com

SPECIALTY PIZZAS

No substitions allowed. Small - 14”, Large - 16” MARINARA Garlic, Oil, Fresh Basil, Tomatoes ..............Sm 14.95

BLACK PEARL SEAFOOD

Lg 17.85

Shrimp, Clams, Spinach, Tomatoes, Black Olives................Sm 18.50 Lg 21.40 CHICKEN RANCH Ranch Dressing, Sliced Tomatoes,Strip Bacon, Chicken Breast, Garlic/Oil, Cheddar Cheese......................Sm 18.50 Lg 21.40 MEAT LOVERS Pepperoni, Sausage, Strip Bacon and Meatballs ..........................................................Sm 18.50 Lg 21.40 VEGETABLE Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Onions and Black Olives .......................................................Sm 18.50 Lg 21.40 SUPREME Sausage, Pepperoni, Black Olives, Mushrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, Meatballs (Anchovies optional) ......Sm 19.75 Lg 22.95 MEDITERRANEAN Mozzarella Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Black Olives and Sliced Tomatoes...................................Sm 18.50 Lg 21.40 WHITE PIZZA Three Blends of Cheese, Ricotta, Mozzarella and Provolone (No Sauce) ............................Sm 15.95 Lg 18.85 PESTO Pesto Sauce Prepared with Fresh Basil, Garlic, and Mozzarella (no red sauce) .....................................Sm 16.50 Lg 19.40 HOT & SPICY Pepperoni, Banana Peppers, Garlic.........Sm 16.50 Lg 19.40 LASAGNA PIZZA Spaghetti Sauce, Ricotta, Fresh Mozzarella, Meatballs ..............................................................Sm 19.95 Lg 23.95 SOUTH OF THE BORDER Chili, Mozzarella, Cheddar and Jalapenos........................................................ Sm 19.00 Lg 21.95 SICILIAN PIZZA Thick Crust ..............................................................16.00 STROMBOLI PIZZA Baked between two crusts, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Pepperoni, Sausage, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, Meatballs .................25.95

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

217 AVENIDA MADERA SIESTA KEY VILLAGE, FL 34342 BEACHBITESSIESTA.COM

(941) 706-3421 FREE DELIVERY TO THE KEY 11 AM-6 PM DAILY

Snapshots of Island Visitors

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

FREE WI-FI

FREE BEACH DELIVERY! GOURMET SANDWICHES

COLD BEER!

Build Your Own Sandwich Board

EVERYTHING UNDER $9

“Early” Diners 4-Course Dinner Daily 5:00 - 6:30 PM

13 Entrees To Choose From!

6631 Midnight Pass Road

CRESCENT PLAZA

(1/4 Mile South of Stickney Point Road

Open 7 Days A Week 5 PM ‘til Close

All include appetizer, salad, dessert and beverage

Starting at $15.95

Entree selections include: • Chicken, Veal and Seafood Specialties • Filet Mignon • Lamb Chops • Salmon • Roast Duck • Tenders of Pork

4.50 COCKTAILS Daily 5-6 PM (Well Liquor Only)

For Reservations Call 941-349-4024 www.miguelsrestaurant.net

Top Left: Hunter age 11 and Kobe age 5 from SRQ. Top Center: Livvy & Josh from SRQ Top Right: Rip from SRQ. Bottom Left: Bo from Chicago, Ata, Daniel 7 Patrick from SRQ. Bottom Right: Kingsley age 3, Austin 15, Justin, Zander age 1 and Doug all from Plant City.

Say what?

...I’m having BAER test!

BAER testing is used to assess congenital deafness, a genetic problem of many breeds. A pet can be born deaf. It can lose its hearing due to an ear infection, injury to the ear, or may experience gradual (or sudden) hearing loss due to old age. Exposure to loud noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. The only way to know if your pet’s hearing is compromised, is to do a BAER test.

When communication matters, hope begins at...

Critical Care & Veterinary Specialists of Sarasota, LLC.

941-929-1818 • 4937 S. Tamiami Trail • Sarasota, FL 34231 • www.criticalvetcare.com

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Dig the Beach Volleyball Photos Photos by Trebor Britt

Pri Lima of Brazil, jumping to tip the ball over her opponents outstretched arms as her partner, Karolina Sowala of Poland looks on. They reached the finals, but had to withdraw because of an injury.

Peter Marciniak of Poland, reaching toward the clouds to blast a serve in the Siesta Key Open. He and his partner split the finals prize money canceled by weather. The Siesta Key Open featured over 100 beach volleyball teams on its second stop on Siesta Beach. The Open is part of the “Dig the Beach” Volleyball Series. Eight tournaments are featured in five Florida locations. Top professionals battle for thousands of dollars in prize money.

DISCOUNT DISCOUNT

Matthew Henderson of Tampa, smashing a serve during his first round match of the Siesta Key Open on Siesta Beach. He and his partner were the #1 seed in the Open/Pro division.

PRESCRIPTION PRESCRIPTION

SERVICES SERVICES

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Yabba Dabba Doo

Turtle’s

ON LITTLE SARASOTA BAY

CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

Turtle Beach • 8875 Midnight Pass Rd. • Siesta Key • 941-346-2207

Serving Lunch & Dinner From 11:30 AM

HAPPY HOUR

3-6 PM Daily 2 for 1 Well Drinks & Wine

Bar Appetizers Special (3-6 PM Daily) Sunday Brunch $8.99 Includes complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa 10 AM - 3 PM 3-6 PM EARLY BIRD DINNERS $10.99-$13.99

1999

AUGUST TURTLE’S $ DINNER PACKAGE ..........

A $33.00 Value at a 40% Savings!!!

Package includes a 9 oz. carafe of wine, fresh garden salad with hot rolls, a delectable entrée and your choise of veggie or starch. WINE: Our Copperidge Premium California Wine: Choose from Chardonnay, Pinto Grigio, White Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Choose From The Following Entrées: Gulf Grouper Oscar, Baked Stuffed Large Gulf Shrimp, Choice Filet Mignon, Certified Black Angus Prime Ribe (8 oz. cut), North Atlantic Wild Caught Salmon, Surf ‘N Turf, Loin Lamb Chops, Surf ‘N Surf, Jumbo Scallops, Roasted Duck

If you’re visiting Siesta Beach and hear someone yell, “Hey Bam Bam,” know that you’re not in Bedrock and part of a Fred Flintstone episode. Your beach chair and blanket are probably located near the red lifeguard tower and someone is trying to get the attention of lifeguard, Chris Lender. Though this 29 year old will respond to “Bam Bam,” he prefers the nickname that reflects his home state, “Bama”. Chris grew up about 45 minutes north of Mobile. After graduating from high school and spending a couple of years in junior college, Chris decided to answer the call of the beach. He’s been life guarding for 15 years, the last eight off the crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and white, powdery sands of Siesta Beach. Growing up in Alabama, Chris played soccer, ran track and cross country, and practically lived at the beach. He became a lifeguard the summer of his 18th birthday and completely fell in love with sitting on the beach and being near the water all day. It was then he thought about making a career of it. He already had the athletic background and thought it would be cool to have a job that paid him to work out. “My favorite day on the tower is Sundays,” Chris said. “It draws the biggest and the wildest crowd and you get to be with the drum circle crowd. I love meeting all the people. Every day is something new and someone new. The water is never the same, the people on the water are never the same. It’s just a great day every day sitting out here.” Chris is a certified “first responder” and is also certified in first aid. The lifeguards here are evaluated and re-qualified every six months to ensure that all there skills are sharp.

Church News St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-349-5616 August 11th - Smartphone “Help” Need help understanding that expensive piece of technology in your purse or pocket? Or, to help you decide if a smartphone makes sense for you? Our hands-on Smartphone User Group will meet on Sunday, August 11 at 9:00 a.m. in Room F, and will accommodate both iPhone and Samsung users. For more info, contact parishioner Vince Brennan, call/text (941) 356-4400. August 23rd - Baseball with the Bishop Join the diocesan staff and area parishes for a fun-filled night at Ray’s stadium where they will take on the Yankees Friday, August 23 at 7 p.m. Saint Boniface parishioners can relax and ride in a cushy, air-conditioned bus to the game and not have to worry about parking or traffic – and for only $31 per person. Call the reservation line at (941)349-5616 x5. Payment confirms your reservation, and a portion of ticket sales benefits the Episcopal Charities Fund. For more info, contact Lisa Wolf (941)349-5616 x320.

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Story & photos by Trebor Britt “We’ve had quite a few rescues out here,” Chris related. “Every now and then we get big storms comin’ through with 6, 7, 8 foot surf. Somebody gets caught in a rip current and we’ve pulled multiple people in from situations like that. That really is the fun part of the job for me. I know I have the ability, I just don’t get to use it every day.” Thanks to the full staff of lifeguards and excellent training, Siesta Beach is one of the safest beaches in Florida. If you’ve never been here before, check in with the lifeguards. Ask them what the flags mean, about the water conditions, where the safe spots are. They’re more than willing to share any information they can. Sarasota is a great location to do what Chris enjoys most; fishing. “I’ll fish in the intracoastal, out here in the Gulf, or Point of Rocks. I love fishin’ everywhere. Anywhere I can drop a line and get a bite. Mainly, if you catch me on my day off, I’m usually on my way to a fishin’ hole.” Big trucks, 4-wheelers and a mud hole also gets this lifeguard’s adrenaline going. Chris’ favorite person to visit the beach is a guy they call Lion King. He dances to his radio wearing a little hat and holding feathers. “I have never introduced myself or met the man but I completely enjoy watching him dance around in circles. He does it for about a half hour at a time. He usually comes out here on Sunday afternoons. It’s really fun.” You won’t see him driving a canvas cart with stone wheels, but you will see him most days on the red lifeguard tower. He’ll be carefully watching to assist anyone who might be in trouble on the beach recently named the #1 beach in America.

Places of Worship St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church 5394 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-349-4174 August 10th & 11th - Out Reach Ministries Our Out Reach Ministries will be collecting diapers and baby clothes for My Choice Pregnancy Center on August 10th & 11th. August 15th - Feast of Assumption Celebrated every year on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven, before her body could begin to decay--a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the end of time. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin’s passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts and a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses (Vigil) at 7pm on Wednesday, August 14th Masses – on Thursday, August 15th at 8am and 10am Siesta Key Chapel –Presbyterian 4615 Gleason Ave, Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-349-1166 Aug. 11th – Ice Cream Social Time: 11:15am Enjoy some delicious ice cream and wonderful fellowship following Sunday services.

Snapshots of Island Visitors

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

5758 S. Tamiami Trail • Sarasota (Serving Siesta Key and Vicinity)

941-923-1232

www.IsanThaiRestaurant.com

AUTHENTIC HOMESTYLE

THAI CUISINE

from the Northeast region of Thailand known as Isan.

No MSG

Seafood

Vegan/Vegetarian Curries Top Left: Misty, Reagan age 6, Halie age 4, & Tina all from Plant City. Top Right: Anna Laura age 9, Nichole age 10, and Emily age 6 all from Miami. Bottom Left: Jennifer & Michelle from Kentucky. Bottom Right: Richard & Ven from SRQ.

Captain Curt’s

Village SHOPS

Craft Beer

Tues.-Sat. 11AM-10 PM; Lunch ‘til 3 PM Sunday Noon-9PM; Serving Dinner Menu

1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key FL 34242

Siesta Key Bike & Kayak Fun for your vacation with Bike & Kayak Rental. Tours, Delivery & Pick-up. 346-0891

Lorraine’s Island Hair Design Full Service salon. Open Monday thru Saturday. 346-7206

Home of the Orange Squeeze! Featuring hand-mixed ice cream, coffees, shakes, malts, sundaes, & smoothies. Open Til 9:30pm 941-346-8080

Coconut Fashions The best in service, quality, & design. Beachwear & accessories for the whole family. 349-4498

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Featured Restaurant

By Paul Roat

Siesta Key Oyster Bar Village popular dining spot

The popular Siesta Key Oyster Bar offers not only one of the best deals for oysters and crawfish on the key, but also perhaps anywhere around. SKOB offers a dozen oysters on the halfshell or crawfish for $6 from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. With an umbrella-covered, heavily landscaped patio overlooking the heart of Siesta Village, the restaurant and its open-enclosed bar makes a perfect after beach spot. The daily deal, plus the appetizers, bites, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and a slew of seafood-oriented entrees make SKOB a popular hangout for regulars and visitors alike. The 200-plus seat restaurant also has music seven days a week for late-night patrons, who may also sample a late-night two-for-one adult beverage from 10 p.m. to closing Sunday through Thursday, 11 p.m. to closing Friday and Saturday. For those still hungry after oysters or crawfish, there is a full menu. Popular appetizers include Coconut Crusted Fried Shrimp with Caribbean Rum Sauce ($12). A half-pound of peel-and-eat shrimp is $11, and Saku Block Tuna Paradiso — yellowfin tuna marinated in tequila, lime, lime and jalapeno, served with wasabi cucumber sauce is $13. If there is a bunch of you that want to munch with your beer or other adult beverage from SKOB’s full bar, consider the Boatload Sampler at $22. It’s pretty much full portions of fried calamari, grouper bites, and cocoanut shrimp. Lighter fare are the six salads, most priced at $8 or $9, offered with balsamic vinaigrette, ranch, bleu cheese, honey mustard, wasabi-cucumber, or Italian vinaigrette dressing. Add-ons are chicken for $3, lump crab ($4), crab cake skewer shrimp ($5), or scallop or mixed skewer ($6), and for $8 either fresh catch, grouper, or mahi-mahi. The SKOB Salad is slated as a salad but looks more like a meal for two for days. You get field greens, tomato, bacon, avocado, bleu cheese crumbles, boiled egg, and shredded cheddar for $9. Also popular at the same price is the BETH Salad: cucumbers, goat cheese, celery, dried cranberries, and candied walnuts. Remember all the addons apply if you want to gorge. What’s an island locale without a burger in paradise? SKOB has a “Straight Up” burger for $10, served with a choice of side. All the burgers feature 100-percent Black Angus beef. The other five burgers include the popular Cowboy, with BBQ, American cheese, and Onion rings. There are five “SKOBwiches.” A highlight is the Seafood Po’Boy at $13 with either shrimp, oysters, grouper, or soft-shelled crab fried golden brown, served with lettuce and tomato. All come with a side dish. Simple yet elegant fare is always fish — in this case grouper, mahi-mahi, or fresh catch — either blackened, grilled, jerked, or cooked in SKOB’s Signature Key Lime. A sandwich is $12 with one side, or entrée at $16 with two sides. Side dishes, by the way, are french fries, cole slaw, steamed broccoli, yellow rice, corn on the cob, and red potatoes. Premium sides, at $1 more, are onion rings, grilled asparagus, sweet potato fries, or chef’s vegetable of the day. Entrees number 11. Highlights are the Siesta Beach

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Extravaganza — crab cake, blackened grouper, and jerk shrimp and scallops ($23) — and Keith’s Seafood Tacos: either grouper, shrimp, mahi-mahi, or fresh catch of the day on warm flour tortillas, topped with lettuce, tomato, and cilantro cream sauce ($13). It comes either jerked, grilled, Key Lime, or blackened. Keeping with the beach theme, Siesta Key Oyster Bar serves breakfast Sunday for the pre-beach crowd to grab a bite before hitting the sand. There are the usual SKOBLETS, all at $11. Cougarville is a feature omelet with asparagus, portabella mushrooms, and goat cheese, served with pesto sauce. A signature breakfast feast is the SKOB Benedict: Key-style Crab Cake with poached egg, asparagus, and Hollandaise sauce for $13. All the “wake-up” meals come with two complimentary mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, or screwdrivers, by the way. The Siesta Key Oyster Bar is located at 5238 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key. Phone 941-346-5443, or e-mail www. skob.com Hours are 11 am. to closing seven days a week. There is a full liquor bar. Don’t forget the specials. Be sure to check out the thousands of dollars stapled on the walls, ceiling and posts in the main dining room. Just proves the Siesta Key Oyster Bar is popular.

Featured Artist

By Diana Colson

Bill Schustik - An American Troubadour A remarkable artist lives here in Sarasota: a creative historian, musician, and folklorist with a passion for America’s past. Bill Schustik is his name, and he has been on a lifetime adventure performing all over the world to captivate audiences with his boundless energy and skill. A true troubadour, he unpacks his instruments and props wherever he finds an audience. He has performed in over 2,000 villages, towns and cities across the United States, including Washington D.C., where he enchanted three U.S. presidents with a series of historical presentations. At the Ford’s Theatre Reopening Gala in 1984, President Ronald Reagan was to say: “Nancy and I are honored to be here tonight. And I know I speak for everyone in the audience when I thank Bill Schustik, the playwright for the play, and the entire cast of On Shiloh Hill for that magnificent performance.” President and Mrs. Reagan were in attendance along with then Vice President and Mrs. George Bush. In addition to performing for soldiers, sailors and airmen world-wide on Armed Forces Radio Network, Bill has carried America’s message to millions of listeners world-wide on Voice of America radio. He has performed at many Opening Ceremonies, including those of the World Series, Fort McHenry Tunnel, and the U.S. Monitor National Monument. He served as the Official Chanteyman for Operation Sail in New York Harbor in 1976, when America celebrated its 200th birthday by bringing in for the first time a world-wide flotilla of Tall ships. To mention just a few of his accomplishments, Schustik was creator and co-producer of an awardwinning television program, Tales of the American Troubadour, which garnered a 2009 Telly Award. In 2011, he wrote and performed The Battle of Ridgeway with Senator Marlow Cook (retired) at the FSU Asolo Theatre for the Performing Arts right here in Sarasota, Florida. Never one to limit his creative spirit, Bill is also the author of two critically acclaimed full-length ballets. Adopted by parents with a profound love of history, and inspired by his deep curiosity as a child growing up in upstate New York, Schustik has spent his life studying American history. He looks much deeper than textual accounts, combining fact with folklore to emerge with a story that is as captivating as it is enlightening. In 2004, thanks to the “Artists in Schools” program in Sarasota County Schools, Bill performed for hundreds of our local schoolchildren. Confronted by a classroom of self-conscious adolescents, Schustik would growl: “You want the real story?” “Yes!” the kids would cry. Then off he would go, donning a kepi, vest and boots, telling inside stories about the Confederate and Union soldiers in a way the kids have never heard them before. He communicated factual history through the use of entertaining anecdotes, never standing still. He marched from one end of the classroom to the other, expertly playing the banjo or guitar as he sang American folk songs, periodically pulling new props from his bag to enhance the role of the moment. During my tour of duty as a teacher at Ashton Elementary, I was fortunate enough to witness one of Bill’s performances, and it was riveting! Students learned it was Jeffrey Amherst—and not the Indians—who invented the barbaric practice of scalping to substantiate the number of Indians he had killed and would be compensated for. Students were to learn that early colonial soldiers once stuck feathers in their battered hats, emulating a type of aristocratic style

Photo by Lisa Fudge. of the day known as “macaroni.” Hence the famous line from Yankee Doodle “. . . He stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni.” Students also learned that the three-cornered hat was designed to catch the wind in such a way that the hat was stabilized to the head and did not blow away. Most recently, Schustik created and starred in The American Civil War in Legend and Song, which was produced at The Theater of the American South, and later—in 2013—in Boca Grande, Florida. In July 0f 2013, he presented a Dramatic Reading and a Musical Resurrection of the American Civil War entitled Many Thousand Gone to a packed audience at St. Andrew United Church of Christ here in Sarasota. He conceived and wrote Many Thousand Gone using songs, written letters, diaries, and collected memories of those who lived through a most desperate time in American history. Along with twenty or so other performers, the brilliantly talented Sharon Scott was featured in this production, her rich, magnificent voice enhancing the heart-rending spirituals which so dramatically illustrated African American participation in both the agony of slavery and the struggle to freedom. Bill Schustik is often accompanied by his wife, Lisa Fudge, as he plays the guitar, banjo, harmonica, dulcimer, jew’s harp and concertina. He punctuates his inspirational tales with song and yodeling. When not busy writing a new production or performing on stage, Bill busies himself by creating whimsical drawings and sandcastles! To learn more of this extraordinary artist and his upcoming performances, go to www. americantroubadour.org. To engage Bill Schustik to perform one of his shows or stage productions for your organization, or to discuss tailoring a new program, he can be reached at 941 – 922 – 0234.

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Who’s Playing Tonight

By Mike Sales

|An interview with Sandi Grecco I recently read an article that listed Sarasota as having the 6th largest per-capita concentration of professional musicians. The list of talented players is long, but when you ask about really good drummers, Sandi Grecco is one of the names you’ll hear first. I managed to get her for an interview at midnight, on a bench, in Siesta Village, fresh from the SKOB stage… WPT: How long have you been playing drums? Sandi: I’ve been playing drums officially since 1980. My Dad was a keyboard player, so I’ve always had music in my life. I was hitting pots and pans as soon as I could walk. WPT: List the instruments you play. Sandi: I play all types of drums; marching, orchestral, jazz and rock kits, electric & acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, piano and I sing. WPT: How did you get to Siesta Key? Sandi: I drove here for the millennium. It was the first time I’d been to Florida, other than Disney, and when I woke up and saw loons floating

the canal in my backyard, I thought, “this is awesome”…I moved here less than a year later. WPT: How did you break into the Sarasota music scene? Sandi: I worked with all of the High Schools, Middle Schools, Public and Charter Schools. I volunteered just about everywhere to get my name out and then opened the drum studio. WPT: So you teach music? Sandi: Yes, I teach drums, bass, guitar and rock band. WPT: Rock band?? Sandi: Yes, I host a rock band camp. I’ve been doing that for 12 years at the studio. WPT: Oh yeah, I saw some of your pictures on Facebook. What do you teach at rock band camp? Sandi: I mentor young people, to learn their instruments and play together, live. When they reach a certain level, I take them to public venues to play and get real world performance experience.

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Sandi Grecco Photos courtesy of Snaps by Caroline Story continued on page 19

|An interview with Sandi Grecco Continued from page 18

WPT: Are you currently accepting students into your programs? Sandi: Yes WPT: Do you do solo gigs? Sandi: As temporary host of the Tuesday SKOB open mic, I open the show as a solo. I plan to continue booking solo gigs when this is done. WPT: How long are you filling in as host of the SKOB jam? Sandi: Through Oct 22nd. WPT: How many bands do you play with? Sandi: I do a lot of pick-up work; the list is long. I played with Twinkle and Rebecca Foley, for a while and currently with Ben Hammond and Halcyon, which is an acoustic band that does a lot of traveling. WPT: How far do you travel with them? Sandi: The furthest we’ve traveled is Nashville and N Carolina, but their new base is Atlanta, so we’ll probably be going further north. WPT: What kind of band is it? Sandi: They’re an original acoustic duo. They’ve been together for over 20 years and have amazing following. WPT: Do you do studio work as well? Sandi: I do studio work and have my own studio where I do session work for producers around the country. WPT: How does that work? Sandi: They send me tracks, I record drum tracks separately & send them back. WPT: How often do you do that? Sandi: All of the time; I work with several different producers who are always sending me projects, and I’m also getting ready to record my own project. WPT: What kind of music are you recording? Sandi: Music with great drums, ha! Its acoustic…alternative indie rock, built from the drums up. I’m writing all of the lyrics and playing all of the instruments. WPT: When is it coming out? Sandi: August 5th, I’m collaborating with an art and design college in St Petersburg, where I’m going to record and let the students mix and master, as part of their classwork, so; soon after that session. WPT: What are some of your career highlights? Sandi: Shirley King, B.B. King’s daughter, is one of the biggest artists I played with. In the 1990’s, I played the Blues circuit and the Chicago Blues Festival with her. I also played with George Porter Jr, from the Funky Meters, out of New Orleans. Florida has Festivals and Concerts all over the state, all year around and I do a lot of work at the big shows and share the bill with many national artists. WPT: What is your career goal? Sandi: I want to continue playing and touring. I also want to expand my lessons with an online presence and feature tutorials. WPT: What is your message to your audience? Sandi: I’ve got my own thing, my own style and way of playing. Some people are going to love it and some people won’t, but that’s okay, so long as I get to continue doing what I love. My message is that everyone should do that. Everyone should find what they love and do their thing. For more info about Sandi Grecco, visit thedrumstudio.com Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) is located at 5238 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key.

Mike Sales is a local singer/songwriter for more info visit mikesalessings.com

Performing Live Weekly

Monday through Friday • Noon - 3:00 PM Thursday Nights 5:30-9:30 PM

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BluQue Island Grill Swimsuit USA International Model Search Preliminary Results from July 14th, 2013 First Place: Emily Demichele

with 2012 Int’l Finalist Miss Peru Vanessa Guimoye

Second Place: Corey Crumpacker

Photos by

Third Place: Rachel Lynn Halbert

Third Place: Renee Mattos

TxtWire Fan Favorite: Jennifer Young

Of the 12 contestants vying for the top spot of the 2nd BluQue Island Grill Swimsuit USA International Model Search Preliminary, Emily Demichele was the overall winner. Emily advances to the Event Final to be held in October, where the winner will receive an all expense paid trip to Cancun Mexico to compete in the International Finals. The next preliminary competition is scheduled for Sunday, August 4th at BluQue. The competition is open to anyone 18 years of age of older. For more information contact, Michael@swimsuitusa.net BluQue island Grill is located at 149 Avenida Messina (in the Village).

Margarita Sunrise INGREDIENTS: Fresh lime wedge (optional), Margarita salt (optional), 1/3 cup fresh lime juice*, 3 tablespoons orange liqueur, 3 tablespoons orange juice, 2 tablespoons tequila, 1/3 to 1/2 cup powdered sugar, Ice, 3 tablespoons club soda or lemon-lime soft drink, 2 teaspoons grenadine Preparation 1. Rub rim of a chilled margarita glass with lime wedge, and dip rim in salt to coat, if desired. 2. Pour lime juice, liqueur, orange juice, tequila, and powdered sugar over ice in a cocktail shaker. Cover with lid, and shake until thoroughly chilled. Strain into prepared glass. Add club soda or lemon-lime soft drink for a little fizz, if desired. Top with grenadine. Serve immediately. *1/3 cup thawed frozen limeade concentrate may be substituted for fresh lime juice. Omit powdered sugar, and proceed with recipe as directed. Courtesy of www.myrecipes.com

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Island Chatter

A Message From Your Siesta Key Association

Story continued from page 3

A new sign will be posted in the pocket park at Givens St. to notice prohibited activity such as lighting fires and camping. The street lamps are back on after over 20 expired lights were reported to FPL for repair. As you enter Siesta Village, a brighter light was installed for safety at the Treasure Boat Way bus stop, close to the location of newly built walkway and fencing. To ensure safe crossing at night, bollard lights will soon be installed at some busy Siesta Village crosswalks. Requests have been made to add recycling bins in the Village. SKA is working with Village residents in their presentation to the County Commission to help resolve illegal parking on their street. Noise mitigation discussions are ongoing with Siesta Village and Turtle Beach residents and business owners. Continuing on toward Beach Rd., SKA recruited over 30 volunteers to collect beach trash as part of the Great American Coastal Cleanup. Together with the Sarasota Audubon Society, SKA volunteers monitor the vegetated dune areas to eradicate fire ants, part of their continuous focus on protecting our beach nesting Snowy Plovers and Least Terns. SKA stays diligently involved as plans progress for the Siesta Beach drainage system improvement and future beach park renovation scheduled to begin in 2014. Along Midnight Pass Rd, newly painted crosswalks, with pushbutton yield

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

lighting, allow safe passage for pedestrians. SKA continues sponsorship of the Sarasota County Junior Lifeguard program, celebrating five years of lifesaving training for youth ages 13-18. Turtle Beach has newly installed No Parking signs to maintain safety clearance at its single entryway. There are many more ongoing projects in which SKA stays involved, including those related to residential density, building and rental codes, beach sand preservation, waterway speeds, manatee protection, event parking and traffic flow, and the list goes on. For more information on past SKA accomplishments and current projects, or to participate with SKA, please visit www.siestakeyassociation.com. SKA will resume its monthly meeting on August 1st at 4:30pm at St. Boniface Episcopal Church – Room F. No guest speakers are scheduled as SKA will hold a public forum for suggestions and feedback from our meeting attendees. SKA members and non-members are welcome. With its focus on maintaining and enhancing the quality of life on the Key, the Siesta Key Association’s representation of island resident interests ultimately benefits everyone who spends time on Siesta Key. SKA’s website is www.siestakeyassociation.com. “Like” us on Facebook!

Sarasota History

By Paul Roat

Whitaker, kin inhabit frontier Sarasota in mid-1800s By Paul Roat

William H. Whitaker, the first white settler of Sarasota, “A quarter mile up the coast they met a Spanish was born Aug. 1, 1821. He brought the first cattle, fisherman named Alzartie living in a crude palmetto oranges, guava, and a semblance of settlement to the shack. Several Cuban fisherman, then squatting on frontier that later became the arts nexus of Florida. Longboat Key, told them they thought his section Whitaker was very much akin to a character in a Mark unsurpassed anywhere on the West Coast. Twain novel. He ran away from home at age 14 with only “Here, at yellow bluffs, was the ideal spot for a the clothes on his back and the contents of his father’s homesteder to settle.” pants pockets: small cash and a gold watch. Yellow Bluffs is at 14th Street off the Tamiami Trail. His departure took him from hometown rural The bayou just north is today named after Whitaker. Savannah, Ga., to the city’s bustling port. The wiry youth Whitaker eventually acquired more than 193 acres of left within an hour on a trading schooner bound for Key Bayfront property from 19th through 33rd Street, about West. one-quarter of it purchased at $1.25 per acre. Whitaker’s whereabouts for Whitaker and Snell towed a while were uncertain, but he cedar logs across the bay from eventually alighted in St. Marks, the dense forests on Longboat Fla., as a fisher where half-brother Key and built a sturdy log Hamlin Valentine Snell found cabin with a detached kitchen. him and persuaded him to “get Snell left his “vacation” a little schooling” in Tallahassee. after six months to return to Whitaker put up with it for two Tallahassee. years. Whitaker first made money The Seminole War was raging salting mullet and selling the in 1838 and the adventure tugged fish to Cuban traders. Price: a at young Bill Whitaker. He penny a fish. He eventually spent four years in some form took in a partner with his first of military fighting the Indians. American neighbor, Joseph When the war ended he went back Woodruff, in 1844. to Tallahassee to talk to Snell. His production quadrupled, As Karl Grismer described it in and in 1847 he went to Dade his book “The Story of Sarasota,” City and purchased 10 cows Whitaker “wanted to settle down and calves. The “47” brand — to have a home to call his own. ended up in pretty much What better time than this to start, every cattleman’s ranch in with the Seminoles conquered South Florida. and the government offering 160 Whitaker also introduced acres to able-bodied settlers?” oranges to the region, and Snell agreed to not only front guava. William Whitaker was the first white settler the money for pioneer Whitaker, And he also fell in love. in what later become Sarasota, but also agreed to tag along. Snell’s making his home at Yellow Bluffs in law practice was in shambles, he NEXT: Bill Whitaker north Sarasota Dec. 14, 1842. had many friends who had settled weathers a storm, Photo courtesy Sarasota County along the Manatee River, and he takes a wife. Historical Society. didn’t have much else to do. Snell, by the way, is a story of his own. Before his death he held positions as president of the Florida Senate, speaker of the Florida House of Representative, and served as Tampa’s eighth mayor. Whitaker and Snell set sail in late November 1842 from St. Marks southbound along the Gulf Coast, stopped to visit the Bradens, Gambles, Wyatts, and others at the Manatee River, then continued south. From Grismer comes this account. “During the afternoon of December 14, while sailing south through Sarasota Bay, they sighted a place on the mainland where there were high yellow bluffs. “Letting down sail, they drifted into the mouth of a small, palm-fringed bayou a few hundred yards north of the bluff. A short way up the bayou, on the east bank, The first oranve groves in Florida were planted they found a pool of fresh water, fed by by William Whitaker from seeds he received from the Cubans. crystal water pouring forth out of rocks in a steady stream.

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Snapshots of Island Visitors

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Top Left: Josie age 10, miley age 5 from Illinois. Bottom Left: Taylor from SRQ Top Right: Camilla with Stella their pup in the basket, Ellie age 10, Jim, & Claire are 10 from SRQ. Bottom Center: Jim & Lori from Kentucky. Bottom Right: Taylor & Shelby from Kentucky.

Pet Talk

By Dr. Anne Chauvet

1. My dog just licked a giant toad. What do I do? Toads can be a problem. The venom is similar to digitalis, a cardiac drug. Dogs that eat or lick a toad can paw at the mouth, drool excessively, walk unsteadily, have seizures and pain or can even die if untreated. If you note exposure to a toad, rinse your dog’s mouth abundantly right away. Then bring your dog to your veterinarian immediately to be monitored for abnormal heart rhythm and high temperature and other complications. 2. My Chihuahua has really bad breath. Does bad breath mean teeth problems? What can I do? Halitosis is very annoying. Just as in people, improper oral hygiene leads to halitosis or bad breath. It is recommended that you brush your dog’s teeth regularly, and have dental exams and dental cleanings done at least once a year. Tooth root abscess can follow but gingivitis is more common. Tic Tacs are not the way to go. Sometimes halitosis comes from general sickness. For example, sweet smelling breath can reflect ketones in the body (diabetic

patients, renal patient). So to be safe, if your pet has halitosis, see your veterinarian. The good news is that there are veterinary dentists (specialists), and we are fortunate to have a few on the Gulf coast. 3. I’m allergic to nuts, so my throat gets tight and my tongue swells up when I eat them. What are the most common symptoms of allergic reaction in dogs and cats? How to recognize and treat them? Dogs and cats can get allergies. As in people, they can be noted as sudden allergic reactions such as hives, swollen face, eyes, and ears. Itchiness of the skin is a common symptom of allergies along with redness. They can also have inflammatory bowel disease due to allergies to food. In this case, vomiting and abnormal stools are noted. If the symptoms are respiratory, then coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing all can be noted, as in cats with asthma. To diagnose allergies, there is a blood test that guides you regarding which allergen to avoid. Vaccines can also be given for these allergens. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and steroids are the first drugs used in emergency situations. They are also used for managing allergies but long-term side effects need to be discussed with your veterinarian.

Dr. Chauvet earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, completed a small animal medicine/surgery internship at the University of Illinois in Urbana and finished her residency in neurology/neurosurgery at the University of California, Davis. She has been trained in small animal rehabilitation by the Canine Rehabilitation Institute of Wellington, Florida and is known internationally for her specialized work in the relatively rare field of veterinary neurology speaking to, training, and consulting with veterinary practices and organizations globally.

If you have a question about your pet, please email your question to criticalvetcare@gmail.com Each month, Dr. Chauvet will choose a few questions to share with readers.

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Story & photos by Jaye Clements

Friday Fest at the Van Wezel August 16th from 5pm to 9pm on the lawn at the Van Wezel! All summer long SRQ residents and visitors will enjoy music on the lawn with a free concert series at the Van Wezel. Delight in our gorgeous sunsets over the bay and enjoy great tunes with month’s feature group “Impulse”. Impulse jams with a variety of reggae, zouk, and pop calypso. You’ll be dancing up a storm until the sun goes down with this energetic and rhythmic group!

Be sure to “Check In” at the Van Wezel upon arrival. They will be randomly selecting a winner from the list of people that are “Checked In” during intermissions! (You must be present to win) The charming Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall opens up its beautiful waterfront terrace to bayside lounging. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair. Vendors will be available for food and drink. It’s the perfect time of the day for relaxing to some sweet sounding music by our gorgeous bay! Arts and crafts will be on display for sale. Friday Fest is a free event... happening on the third Friday of every month during summer. The concerts will be held rain or shine and brought indoors if it rains. This delightful music series is paid for by the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues and area sponsors. The mission of the Van Wezel Foundation is to enrich the lives of our Gulf Coast Community, with an emphasis on area children, making the performing arts available to all children in our community during the school year with field trips to the performing arts hall. www.VanWezel.org Venice Theatre’s Summer Cabaret Festival. Runs through Sunday, August 25th Summer Cabaret Festival - Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm Sundays at 2pm. August 17th 2013 at 8pm The Goldtones. The sweet sounds of street-corner harmony. Doo-Wop from the 50’s! http://www.venicestage.com/ Have some talent? Check out the Open/Mics and Jams around town! When it comes to discovering new talent open jams are usually quite amazing or at least pretty entertaining! You’d be surprised at all the talent in our small town. Whether you’re young or retired you won’t feel out of place with the mix of music-lovers of all ages. I’m amazed at the number of people, from all walks of life, getting together to enjoy a common interest! Open mics play a huge role in developing our local music scene. It’s an awesome way to meet new friends, network, form new bands, practice playing in front of an audience, re-ignite old passions, or just play your instrument and get out for a night on the town! Get ready to soak up some great performances…

For Jazz players: Every Sunday from 3 to 5 pm, the Jazz Club presents its open sit-in Jazz Jams for a summer afternoon series! There are first-rate musicians on hand and you are invited to display your talent. Cover is $10. Participating musicians are free. Located at Ocean Blues. For more information visit Ocean Blues www.oceanblues.net or the Jazz Club of Sarasota www.jazzclubsarasota.org Ocean Blues also has a Blues Jam at 7pm on Sunday and a Jazz Jam again on Monday night at 8pm. They offer upscale dining and down home music. Monday Night Blues Jams Every Monday night for about the past 14yrs. The 5’oclock club has been hosting jams for Blues musicians with talent! Al Fuller has been with the group for the last 11 yrs and his band starts the night out with some original music, then on to the open Blues jams for experienced musicians. You have to be able to keep up with the group at this one! Bring your own instruments and join in with some awesome tunes. (No cover) The Five O’clock Club for more info: http://www.5oclockclub.net Monday Night Open Mike at J.R,’s Packing house 7pm to 10pm. http://www.oldpackinghousecafe.com Bring your own instrument or use one of their guitars on hand.

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Arts on the Horizon

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Star Keeper Cafe – Open Mic, 6-9pm (Monday evenings) Open Mic Monday at Star Keeper Cafe every Monday from 6-9pm. Songwriters, poets, comedians, and mimes are welcome. Open to all ages and levels of talent. They serve Sliders, Cuban Sandwiches, and more. If there is rain the open mike will continue inside. You are encouraged to invite your friends to come out and watch you perform. (no cover) The couple named their café after their wedding song Keeper of the Stars… they also partner with local charities and host events. Star Keeper Café in Downtown SRQ http://www.starkeepercafe.com/ Tuesday night Siesta Key Oyster Bar or as locals call it “SKOB” has open Jams from 7pm to 11pm. You’ll enjoy its laidback relaxed island atmosphere while you listen to great music in the heart of the village! For over 10 years they have been hosting jams. http://www.skob.com/ Wednesdays: Pastry Art Cafe – Open Mic, 7m to 10pm – singers, poets, comedians, mimes, etc. http://www. pastryartbakerycafe.com/

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A REAL DESIGNER’S PARADISE! Thursdays: Flying Dog – Open Rock & Blues Jam. 7pm to 10:30pm. “The Flying Dog Café” was named for its location, states the owner, Bruce Famiglio, and in loving memory of his best friend, Dewey, a Golden Retriever. The Flying Dog Cafe serves food & drinks, with great entertainment. Everything on the menu is made fresh to order. http://theflyingdogcafe.com

STOP IN TODAY!

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Beach Reads By Terri Schlichenmeyer “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” ” by Neil Gaiman

Snapshots of Island Visitors Photo by Trebor Britt

Your mother loves to reminisce. “Remember when…” she says before launching into some often-embarrassing story about something that happened years ago. “Remember when,” two words that make you scramble to recall whatever she’s talking about. Sometimes, though, you can’t remember when. Her stories are familiar - but they aren’t, and you almost wonder if they ever really happened. Likewise, in the new novel, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman, a middle-aged man on his way to a funeral learns that Memory Lane has a dead-end. He hadn’t meant to drive there. He hadn’t really even known what he was looking for – nothing, probably, other than to see what had changed in his old neighborhood. It would be a nice departure from funeral conversation, a head-clearing side-trip, but he somehow ended up at Hempstock Farm. Up ‘til then, he’d nearly forgotten about the place. As he walked down to the farm’s pond, memories came flooding back to him. Lettie Hempstock (he hadn’t thought about her in years!) had once told him that the pond was really an ocean, and he’d believed her. He was seven years old that summer; she was eleven and she promised that she would keep him safe. But, of course, she couldn’t. It wasn’t her fault that he’d insisted on going with her to the back of her Grandmother’s property, where the wind howled and a gray thing spoke to Lettie in a most improper manner. It

wasn’t her fault, either, that the gray thing threw something to him and he caught it, even though Lettie made him promise to hold her hand tight. He never blamed anyone but himself for the appearance of Ursula Monkton. When his mother found a job, Ursula Monkton moved into his old room. Ursula Monkton was supposedly a housekeeper-babysitter, but she wasn’t the nice girl his parents thought she was. She was evil, she knew all his thoughts and plans, and she terrified him. But Lettie would know what to do about that. Lettie Hampton always knew… Misty. That was the first word that comes to mind as I reflect on reading “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” The narrator of this short novel seems to be oddly peering at the past through doddering confusion, as if something’s foggily off-center but he can’t exactly determine what it might be. Odder still is that author Neil Gaiman doesn’t turn up the heat anytime quick - which is, I think, where the brilliance of this book lies. No, Gaiman lets his narrator share his memories with curious incredulousness and incredible calm. That allows the story to wash over readers, to overwhelm us slowly and deliciously. We’re invited into the mist, too, and it’s a squirmy thing. For readers new to this author, consider this: if Ray Bradbury and Shirley Jackson had a love-child, it would be Neil Gaiman. If you’re a fan, you know that already – and you know that “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” is a book you’ll remember.

Beach Reads Bio: The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 12,000 books.

BOYHOOD REUNION Jordan Beaudoin (20), Jacob Beaudoin ( 17), Tyler Curving (20) all of Bradenton, and Seth Slifer (17) of Cincinnati, proudly displaying their alligator sand sculpture. Seth, Jordan and Jacob grew up together in Ohio. Seth’s family has visited every year since Jordan and Jacob moved here seven years ago and they always come to Siesta Beach. Photo by Trebor Britt

Alex (16) from Racine, Wisconsin, enjoying her time with family & friends. This is Alex’s first time to Siesta Key.

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Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Announces Dates for 2013 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition 4th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic confirmed for Nov. 15-18, 2013 Ten teams of master sand sculptors from the United States and abroad competing for 1st place on the #1 beach will be back Nov. 15-18, 2013, for the 4th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic. The Crystal Classic has become a favorite of many of the professional sand sculptors who have competed here. Citing the beauty and cleanliness of the pristine white sand, sculptors have remarked that their sculptures look almost as if they are “carved in marble.” Sponsorships and vendor spaces are now available. For more information visit: www. SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com. VIP Parking packages with multi-day passes starting at $49, will be available for purchase online in the next few weeks. Proceeds of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic benefit Mote Marine Laboratory’s sea turtle research and conservation programs. For more information about Siesta Key Crystal Classic contact the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce – 941-349-3800; email info@SiestaKeyCrystalClassic; or visit www.SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com.

Siesta Key Chamber Celebrates New Digs along with Señor Siesta’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Continued from page 10

The Gang from Comfort Shoes; David , Leslie, and Rick

Lynn and Bob of ABC Rental drop by to check out the Chamber’s new location and help celebrate Señor Siesta’s ribbon cutting ceremony

Spanish melodies played softly in the background for all to enjoy

Señor Siesta’s owner, Xio takes time to chat with guests

Sarah of Miller’s Dutch Haus Furniture surrounded by the custom made cabinets built by their Amish cabinetmakers

Penny from Sun Trust Bank and Chamber volunteer Margie arrive early to help celebrate

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4th of July Siesta Key Chamber’s VIP PARTY

Photos by Ryan Magee

Continued from page 2

GalleyRecipes GalleyRecipes GalleyRecipes Lobster with Tomato-Herb Penne Pasta

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Lobster with Tomato-Herb Penne Pasta Ingredients Lobster with Tomato-Herb Penne Pasta Ingredients 1 pound lobster tail meat, cooked

1 pound lobsterolive tail oil meat, cooked 3 tablespoons Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, minced 1 pound lobster tail meat, cooked 1 medium onion, minced 2 garlic, minced 3 cloves tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 28-ounce can Italian-style 1 medium onion, minced tomatoes, 1 28-ounce candiced Italian-style tomatoes, and 2 drained cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup clamand juice or fish stock 1 drained 28-ounce candiced Italian-style tomatoes, 1/2 tablespoon cup clam juice or fishvinegar stock 1 red wine drained and diced 1 tablespoons tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 fresh basil, minced 1/2 cup clam juice or fish stock 2 fresh basil, minced 3/4 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced 1 tablespoons tablespoon red wine vinegar oregano, minced 3/4 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced thyme, minced 3/4 minced 3/4 teaspoon teaspoon fresh fresh rosemary, oregano, minced 3/4 fresh rosemary, minced 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3/4 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/3 cup heavy cream 3/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced 1/3 cup heavycayenne cream salt pepper to tastepepper 1/4 and teaspoon salt and pepper to pasta taste 1 pound penne 1/3 cup heavy cream 1 pound penne salt and pepper to pasta taste Directions: 1 pound penne pasta Directions: Cut lobster tail meat into bite-size pieces. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add onion Cut lobster tail sauté meat into bite-sizeuntil pieces. In is a large and garlic and 10 minutes onion soft. saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add onion Directions: and garlic and sauté 10 minutes until onion is soft. saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add onion Cut lobster tail meat into bite-size pieces. In a large Add tomatoes, clam juice, vinegar, herbs and cayenne; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5-8 and garlic and sauté 10 minutes until onion is soft. Add tomatoes, juice, into vinegar, herbs add and lobster cayenne; bringand to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5-8 minutes. Slowlyclam stir cream the sauce; pieces simmer 20 minutes. minutes. Slowly stir cream into the sauce; add lobster pieces and simmer 20 minutes. Add tomatoes, clam juice, vinegar, herbs and cayenne; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5-8 Season toSlowly taste with salt and Cookadd pasta in boiling water until just tender; drain and minutes. stir cream intopepper. the sauce; lobster piecessalted and simmer 20 minutes. Seasontotopot. taste with and pepper. Cook pasta return Pour thesalt lobster sauce over and tossin toboiling coat. salted water until just tender; drain and return Pour thesalt lobster sauce over and tossin toboiling coat. salted water until just tender; drain and Seasontotopot. taste with and pepper. Cook pasta return to pot. Pour the lobster sauce over and toss to coat.

Look for Fresh Florida Seafood at Your Local Market or Grocer Look for Fresh Florida Seafood at Your Local Market or Grocer Recipe andfor photo courtesy of Chef Justin Timineri Florida Chef,Market Fresh fromor Florida Recipes Look Fresh Florida Seafood at- The Your Local Grocer

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services, of Seafood Recipe and photoDepartment courtesy ofofChef Justin Timineri - The Florida Chef,Bureau Fresh from Florida Recipes http://www.thefloridachef.com/lobster-with-tomato-herb-penne-pasta/ Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Seafood Recipe and photo courtesy of Chef Justin Timineri - The Florida Chef, Fresh from Florida Recipes http://www.thefloridachef.com/lobster-with-tomato-herb-penne-pasta/ Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Seafood SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net http://www.thefloridachef.com/lobster-with-tomato-herb-penne-pasta/

Big Pass & New Pass Shoals Eyed for Beach Renourishment By Paul Roat Continued from cover story

The big project Sarasota City officials began work on a massive, long-range beach renourishment program for Lido Key. “In the past 10 years, we’ve gotten federal funds for design,” DavisShaw said. “It’s been going very, very slowly.” Sarasota County submitted a management plan to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and about $500,000 is hoped for sometime this year. Preliminary design for the plan has been completed in July. That design calls for a project the length of the western shore of the key. Proposed are three erosion control groins to be constructed at the southern end of Lido in an effort to trap sand. Another component proposed is to take some sand from the massive shoal north of Big Pass, DavisShaw said. At last count there was estimated to be in excess of 30 million cubic yards of sand in that shoal area. The plan calls for “feathering” sand from the northern edges of the shoal. DavisShaw said there would be public meeting with interested parties on the project in October or early November. No dates or locations of the meetings have yet been scheduled. If all goes according to plan, permits should be in hand within Workers last renourished Lido Key in 2009. two years and construction could Photo by Paul Roat start shortly afterward. Lido Beach renourishment history Depending on how you count the statistics, there have been either five or 10 movements of sand offshore onto Lido Beach over time. Either the key is prone to erosion or people built homes and condominiums — mostly condos — too close to the water over the years. Another issue with Lido is its relatively small size compared with other barrier islands. Lido historically was a cluster of mangrove islands called the Cerol Isles. Entrepreneur, circus magnate, and Sarasota developer John Ringling bought those islands and St. Armands Key in the 1920s and through dredging and filling, expanded St. Armands and combined the Cerol Isles into what he called Lido Key. Sand started coming ashore onto Lido’s beaches beginning in 1964 via dredging of New Pass. The inlet is mandated to be maintained as a navigational channel by the federal government and, to keep the channel at a sufficient depth for boaters, is dredged periodically. Lido was the recipient of the sand for many years. Longboat Key officials, also seeking sources of sand for that island’s eroding beaches, struck a deal with Sarasota to alternate the sand placement. The latest dredging project on Lido was in April 2009. The $4.6 million project moved about 400,000 cubic yards of sand from the pass to the key. That project was also required due to erosion caused by storms in 2006. Longboat Key has been prone to erosion for decades. Siesta Key has been spared from beach erosion and maintains a wide, sandy beach. An aerial photo of Lido Key, looking north, taken between 1962 and 1966, show what once was a wide, sandy beach. Photo courtesy Florida Department of Transportation

Food and Wine Pairings

Summer, Sunshine and Sangria By Maureen Rooney, Siesta Key Wines, 5238C Ocean Blvd., Davidson Plaza in the Village, 941-552-9105 Summer, Sunshine and Sangria! One of the most popular drinks of summer is Sangria, it is refreshing and thirst quenching all while satisfying your wine fix. But where can you find great Sangria? The best place is in the heart of Spain, if you can’t work in a European vacation this summer then you can make some great Sangria all on your own. There are Sangrias for the creative, the ambitious, and for those looking for a quick drink on a lazy summer day. Sangria was introduced to the United States by the Spanish at the 1964 New York’s World’s Fair, but it has been popular throughout the world for many, many years before. About 2000 years ago when the Romans entered Spain with bloody battles they planted red grape vines. The locals used these grapes to make a wine punch that was called Sangria because the color of the drink was reminiscent of blood. Ever since that time Sangria has been becoming more and more popular throughout the world and has become more respected in the wine world. It is no surprise that it has become so popular given that it pairs so well with hot summer days as well as hot and spicy foods. For white sangria try Mango Peach. The sweetness of this Sangria, and most Sangrias, can be controlled by the type of wine base that is used. For a slightly sweet Sangria use a Pinot Grigio, a great example is Dipinti Pinot Grigio from Italy. To make a Sangria that is not quite so sweet use a Viognier instead, try Estampa’s Viognier blend from Chile. But if you like your Sangria more on the sweet side try a Washington State Riesling like Silverlake, or for a real sweet kick use a Moscato d’ Asti from Italy, this choice will also add

a slight fizz to your Sangria. To your wine base add a little Grand Marnier and don’t forget chunks of fresh mangos and peaches. Try it, it is simply delicious! For a faster and easier Sangria try Siesta Key Peach Apricot Chardonnay for a slight sweetness, add some sliced apples, peaches, and nectarines to this wine for added flavor and you are done! Siesta Key Kiwi Pear Sauvignon Blanc will give you sweeter Sangria. Try all of these variations of White Sangria with spicy fish like blackened red snapper or chicken jerk style. When the plan is to eat a spicy red meat dish try Red Sangria. The perfect dishes to complement Red Sangrias are slightly spicy like carne asada, steak tacos, or a hamburger with pepper jack cheese. For these dishes try a Golden Berry Sangria with a Garnacha wine base, a great example is Evodia’s Garnacha from Spain. This sangria will have a slight sweetness to it when you lighten it with a rose, and add sweetness with a small amount of orange liqueur. Don’t forget the fruit! Use blackberries, boysenberries and orange slices to bring out the flavors of the wine. If you would like a sweeter Red Sangria then use a Sangue di Guida as your wine base along with the berries. There is of course an easier Sangria that can be made, try Siesta Key’s Three Berry Shiraz. With this wine all you need to do is add blackberries, raspberries, and sliced oranges. All of these variations on Red Sangria will go great with any hot and spicy meat dish. This summer enjoy it to the fullest with a great Sangria! And remember to stop by Siesta Key Wines for all of your wine needs. Enjoy!

Mango Peach Sangria Recipe 1/4 cup mint 1 cup Grand Marnier 2 peaches, cut into thin wedges 1 bottle Estampa Viognier 1/3 cup water 1 mango, chopped 1/3 cup sugar In a saucepan, cook the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves; put the water and sugar concoction into a pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Stir in the Grand Marnier, Estampa Viognier, mango, peaches and mint and serve over ice. Golden Berry Sangria ½ cup Orange Soda ½ cup Orange Liqueur 1 cup of Rose (either slightly sweet or on the dry side) 1 bottle Evodia Garnacha 1 Sliced Orange ½ cup Blackberries ½ cup Boyesenberries ½ cup Strawberries Add the orange Soda, Orange Liqueur, Rose, and Garnacha together in a pitcher. Stir generously. Then add your about half of your oranges, blackberries, and boysenberries. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Stir it again and then add the rest of the fruit for garnish and Enjoy!

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Meet The Natives

Snowy Plovers, sea turtles moving on sand on Siesta Snowy Plovers are hardy little seabirds. The little brown and white birds — they’re not even as big as your hand — are permanent residents of Siesta Key. The few of them that are left, that is, since the population numbers only 200 breeding pairs. All the birds are found on the beaches along Southwest Florida. According to Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) expert Hugh J. McLaughlin, who spent two seasons observing the birds, nesting occurs on the high, dry beach. Courtship is not especially exotic or erotic. Both scratch a line in the sand, then line the “nest” with pieces of broken shells. Over about 10 days the female lays three eggs. Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs until they hatch in about 28 days. The smart little birds snatch the shells as soon as all the babies have hatched and move them far away from the nest to protect them from predators. Snowy Plovers are brought up with some tough love. Parents don’t feed the babies. The young must forage for themselves, eating small invertebrates as they find them, then returning to the nest for protection from predators and the sun. Babies can’t regulate their body temperatures for a few weeks, so Mom and Dad provide shade in the day and warmth at night. After about 45 days the babies take off on their own. Female Snowy Plovers are not especially picky about mates, either. In fact, you could call them sluts. While the male sits on the eggs, the female often goes off and mates with another male and then lays more

By Paul Roat

eggs in another nest. The birds are endangered in Florida and therefore protected. The problem is there are an awful lot of things big and small trying to get the birds. Ants can take over a nest. Raccoons can eat the eggs. Unfortunately, humans can inadvertently step on a nest as eggs are pretty much the same color as sand. Shore side development is also a problem. There have been reports of some nest disturbances on Siesta Key this summer as construction crews edges manmade structures into avian areas. Nesting season is usually from March through mid-summer, so the nest trampling problem is eased this year. Signage is generally in place around nesting colonies, sometimes they are roped off, but it’s still a tough time for the little birds.

Turtles by the numbers If Snowy Plover nesting season is winding down, sea turtle nesting season is kicking into high gear on the beaches of Siesta Key and elsewhere along the shore. Female sea turtles, mostly loggerheads, come ashore generally between May and late October. They dig a nest in the sand and lay about 100 golf-ball-size eggs, cover the nest, then return to the Gulf of Mexico. In about 60 days the baby turtle hatchlings dig their way out of the sand and scamper into the water. As of mid-July, turtle volunteers with Mote Marine Laboratory had located a total of 1,612 loggerhead sea turtle nests on the sand from Longboat Key to Casey Key. On Siesta Key there were 239 nests; Lido had 39. Statistics are down this year from last. In 2012 at this time there were 1,983 nests total, 270 on Siesta, and 84 on Lido. The first nest hatched in the Midnight Pass area on Siesta Key June 27. Please wish all of our endangered sea creatures the best.

Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings are coming out the sand and heading to the water this time of year. This picture is of the inhabitants of a nest that had to be relocated due to threatening weather. Photo by Paul Roat Snowy Plovers are a tiny shore bird that is an annual resident of Siesta Key. Photo courtesy of www.fws.gov

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Gecko’s Gives Back

By Diana Colson

Continued from page 5

In addition to these and other worthy causes, Gecko’s and Mike Quillen partner with dozens of schools in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, providing Super Student Free Meals to thousands of elementary students. Besides these Super Student awards, they also support countless numbers of teams, projects and events in various area schools. Mike Quillen has lived in the area since he was a young lad. He graduated from Riverview High School, attended Manatee Junior College on a tennis scholarship, and transferred to New College. He has been married to Mary Quillen for 16 years, and they have two daughters, ages 20 and 13. Mike Gowan was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, graduated from Sarasota High School, and—like Mike Quillen— also attended Manatee Junior College on a tennis scholarship. Gowan then transferred to the Mike Quillen front and center with farmer, Tiffany Bispham. University of Florida. After graduation, he The rest of the crew are the Chefs and Kitchen Managers returned to live and work in Sarasota. from the five Gecko’s locations. “We started Gecko’s as a little neighborhood bar and pub, focusing on fresh fare, and a strong Hospitality quotient,” says Their ties to the community run deep. Following Quillen. “Our guests are our friends, and our employees the success of the original Gecko’s at The Landings in are our heroes. We believe in the community, and we 1992, the two Mikes have expanded to four other nearby live, work, and play here, too.” locations: Twelve Oaks Plaza (I-75 & SR 70) in 1998; The two Mikes are not only lifelong friends, they make Braden River Plaza on SR 64 in 2002; Palmer Crossing excellent business partners. When it comes to community (Clark Rd. & Honore Ave.) in 2006; and Southside Village service, Quillen has Gowan’s full support as he uses all (Hillview St.) in 2010. They have been consistently five Gecko’s restaurants to benefit dozens of charitable awarded and honored with “Best of the Best” awards, groups in our community. The civic-minded Quillen including Best Happy Hour, Best Sports Bar, Best Burger, personally serves on several community Boards, and is Best Take Away, Coldest Beer, Best Lunch, Taste of the Immediate Past President of The Argus Foundation, Sarasota People’s Choice Awards, Best Entrée, best a public policy community foundation which harnesses Appetizers, and more! business leadership for effective community building. The “Two Mikes” have not only brought Sarasota Gecko’s Grill & Pub is economically important to wonderful food in a family-friendly atmosphere, they our community. It has been providing jobs and creating have generously given back to the community. For more economic stimulus since 1992. Today, the five Gecko’s information go to www.geckosgrill.com restaurants currently employ over 300 Floridians. In keeping with Gecko’s tradition to source as many jobs and vendors locally, they coordinate with Tiffany Bispham each growing season so that she can supply Gecko’s with local, sustainable farm, fresh produce. Tiffany is a fourth generation Sarasotan. The “Two Mike’s” newest venture, S’macks Burgers & Shakes, is scheduled to open early in August. It is a tip of the hat to The Smack, a Sarasota drive-in and diner that was an enormously popular hangout during the post-World War II period. The Smack of the 50’s featured beautiful girls on roller skates who took orders curbside. S’macks of today will not have those fastmoving waitresses. However, it promises to serve “Quick Casual Food with a Conscience.” This new casual dining spot will feature old-fashioned frozen custard shakes, a modern take on the classic America Burger, hand-cut Located at the corner of locally sourced fries, and S’macks Dogs—a custom-made Osprey Avenue and Top Dog, crafted in the vicinity just for S’macks. The Main Street stood location will be at Bee Ridge Road and Shade Avenue, Sarasota’s favorite and it will have 2,500 feet of indoor and outdoor seating. drive-in burger spot; “The quick-casual dining scene is a really popular the Smack Restaurant. trend,” says Quillen. “Burgers are really hot right (Photo courtesy of now.” He aims to elevate quality of the modern burger Sarasota County by bringing it more in line with 21st century nutrition History Center) standards. “It will be really neat to share a part of Sarasota’s rich historical past in this new restaurant concept.”

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Water World

Captain Jim Klopher There is a little secret here in Sarasota; the fishing is terrific in August! Many anglers assume that the heat slows down the action, but this is far from true. The reality is that due to daily rain showers, the water temperature is actually lower in August than it is in June. Hordes of bait fish cover the flats. This combination results in excellent conditions for anglers to succeed. The best action will be early morning, late afternoon, and at night. Snook love the infusion of fresh water into the bay. Phillippi Creek, South Creek, Hudson Bayou, Big Pass, New Pass and the Venice inlet are all good spots to cast a plug in search of snook as they migrate back into the bays after spawning out on the beach. Shallow diving plugs such as the Rapala X-Rap are very effective baits. They cover a lot of water and produce explosive strikes. Scented soft plastics also work well. Live shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards will also catch a lot of snook, particularly once the fish are located. Outgoing tides at first light and in the evening are the best times to fish. The deep grass flats on the north end of Siesta Key will be good spots to target speckled trout. High tides in the morning will produce plenty of fish. Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevelle, sharks, small gag grouper, and mangrove snapper will also be caught by anglers drifting the deep grass. A live shrimp under a popping cork works very well. A jig with a grub tail is the preferred artificial bait but plugs and spoons are also effective. The bars form CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at Stickney Pt. south to Blackburn Pt. will hold some very nice trout. This area does not get

Adventure Charters 941-371-1390 Tara Williams from Garden City, MI caught this summertime blue fishing the deep flats near Siesta Key on her honeymoon.

a lot of pressure in the summertime. This is an early morning bite and a high tide is preferred. Any oyster bar that drops off sharply from shallow water into four or five feet with grass is a likely spot. Live shrimp work very well either free lined or under a cork. Rootbeer/gold and olive/red Cotee jigs are productive lures to cast. Redfish and snook will also take a bait that is intended for a big speckled trout. In the last several years mangrove snapper fishing has been outstanding! Grass flats that drop off into deep water with some current flow should produce plenty of nice snapper this month. Live bait works best and baitfish will usually catch larger fish than shrimp. A 1/0 live bait hook tied on a 24” piece of 20 pound flourocarbon leader with just enough split shot to get to the bottom is the simple but effective rig. Tarpon will still be an option in the inshore Gulf, but their numbers will be diminishing and they will not be “showing” like they do earlier in the season. Live pinfish floated out under a cork at Point of Rocks will still produce a fish or two.

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|The Rumrunner

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AUGUST 2013 TIDE CHART

Soulful Advice

From Donnarose

Q: Dear Donnarose, I’ve had a rough past with a lot of negative experiences. I know I need to let go of it all, but I have always struggled to do so. I was told it had something to do with my mother and the love I had for her. Can you possibly explain this? ~Chuck A: ~ “We may choose to let go of the pain from our past, but any love we felt then, will forever last.”- Donnarose Melvin Chuck, you are not alone as so many of my clients struggle with this. You have been carrying the pain from your past with you for so long, that it’s like carrying around a huge boulder which has slowly dragged your energy to a very low level. The thing is, many hold on to their past because there were key people who they loved, and they want to hold on to that memory. It’s important to realize that letting go of the past doesn’t mean you love your mom any less. It just means you’re done with the pain. It’s critical to identify all the negative energy emotions you have experienced from the dark patches of your past. Then embrace and release them with love. The good part is that the love for your mother when she was alive and still now, will always remain like I mentioned in my quote. And occasionally reflecting on that love can be very comforting. So once you allow the pain from your past to be released, you will surely begin to feel the peace. All the best to you Chuck.~♥ Q: Dear Donnarose, I’m an assistant retail manager and we have one manager we report to. The issue is our employees keep quitting no doubt due to the way the manager treats them. Any suggestions on how to get them to stay? Thank you in advance. ~Joyce

A: ~ “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”- Mark Twain Well Joyce, since space is limited, I must be brief and address the bottomline. This issue is unfortunately a hot topic in a lot of companies. I’ve seen it over and over how many employees quit not because they didn’t get a raise let’s say, but because of the way they were treated. Many have told me that if their boss positively recognized their performance, it would make them feel happy and would motivate them. One thing I know for sure as a former boss a few or more times, is that genuine praise and recognition is highly motivating. You of course can’t force your boss to praise anyone, but you as an assistant manager can surely do the deed. Praise pays in many ways. It increases efficient production and helps with the longevity of the staff’s employment. Consider that when you P.R.A.I.S.E. someone, you are a Person Raising Another Individual’s Self-Esteem. That in itself can be a great start to keeping your staff on board. Make praise one of the priorities in your company, and watch the tremendous difference it will make. It truly does work. All the best to you Joyce. ~ ♥ Donnarose Melvin is a professional psychic, medium and energy healer, whose pleasure is to assist clients worldwide. She incorporates knowledge from her degree in psychology, along with her clairvoyant, clairaudient, clairsentient and empathic gifts to guide her clients towards peace and success. Please send your questions to GoWithYourSoul@gmail.com or private message her via facebook: Go With Your Soul. Donnarose will select questions each month to share with you. She regrets that unpublished questions cannot be answered individually. ~ ♥

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Island Humor [ A DEA officer stopped at our farm yesterday “I need to inspect your farm for illegal growing drugs.” I said “Okay, but don’t go in that field over there.” The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me!” Reaching into his rear pants pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge and shoved it in my face. “See this badge?! This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish.... On any land !! No questions asked or answers given!! Have I made myself clear?.... do you understand?!!” I nodded politely, apologized, and went about my chores. A short time later, I heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by my big old mean bull.... With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he’d sure enough get gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly terrified. I threw down my tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of my lungs “Your badge, show him your BADGE!!”

[ An elderly man in Miami calls his son in New York and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting divorced. Forty-five years of misery is enough.” “Pop, what are you talking about?” the son screams. “We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” the old man says. “We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her,” and he hangs up. Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone, “Like heck they’re getting divorced,” she shouts, “I’ll take care of this.” She calls her father immediately and screams at the old man, “You are NOT getting divorced! Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME!?” and hangs up. The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. “Okay,” he says, “They’re coming for Christmas and paying their own airfares.”

[ The other night I was invited out for a night with “the boys”. I told my wife that I would be home by midnight...promise! Well, the hours passed and the beer was going down way too easy. At around 2:30 am, drunk as a skunk, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and cuckooed 3 times. Quickly, I realized she’d probably wake up, so I cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself, having a quick witty solution, even when smashed, to escape a possible conflict. The next morning my wife asked me what time I got in, and I told her twelve o’clock. She didn’t seem disturbed at all. Whew! Got away with that one! She then told me that we needed a new cuckoo clock. When I asked her why, she said, “Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said “oh h*ll”, cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another 3 times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then farted.

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REACH OVER 10,000 HOMES / READERS Call 941-349-0194

Recognizing Our Volunteers

Vern Johnson knows how to keep busy. He begins every day playing tennis. Not only has he volunteered for the Siesta Key Chamber these past 12 years, he is also a charter member of the Beach Ambassadors. He donates his time to Life Link, just joined the Sarasota Chapter of the

Sister City Association this year, and has a garden in Tampa. This Wisconsin native has lived all over but fell in love with Sarasota and, in 1990, decided to plant roots here. He lives on the island, attends many of the functions and is known as Siesta Key’s mayor in some local circles. How he came by that title no one can say for certain but seeing him in action, he could definitely be a contender, if Siesta Key had a mayor. Be sure to stop by the Siesta Key Chamber on Thursdays from 1-5pm, and let him know he’d have your vote. Thanks for volunteering your time Vern, and being such a great ambassador for our island.

Siesta Key Real Estate Report Pending Sales

1000

Sales Volume

800

$200M

600 400

$100M

200 0

$0M

Feb-13 Mar-13 Apr-13 May-13June-13

Days on Market

100

Pink Ginger?

Curcumas are called hidden gingers due to its trait of baring its flowers on short stalks amid foliage. The plants love filtered light and moist soil, and bloom during all seasons but winter. Photo courtesy Rob Branch.

Months of Inventory

150

Blooming this month

Feb-13 Mar-13 Apr-13 May-13June-13

KEY SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE

Feb-13 Mar-13 Apr-13 May-13June-13

For more information call (941)894-1255 Or visit www.keysolutionsrealestate.com

Single Family Condos *Statistics provided by MFR MLS

For the first half of 2013, sales are up 13.8 percent over last year at this time. If the current trend continues, 2013 will go down as the second highest sales year in the 90-year history of SAR, surpassed only by 2004’s record figure of 11,267 closed transactions. The inventory of available homes in the Sarasota market fell to only 3,114 in June 2013 – the lowest level in longer than a decade, and an 18 percent drop from last year at this time. Declining inventory generally results in greater competition for available homes and condos and subsequent price escalation

supply and DEMAND: Currently we are experiencing very low inventory on the market and high demand.

1423 LANDINGS PLACE

If you have been considering selling your home, right now may the BEST time to get the HIGHEST PRICE possible!

Handsomely remodeled West of Trail home. Updated/replacement sliding glass doors; upstairs has roll-down hurricane shutters and downstairs has impact resistant glass. New interior doors, hardware and baseboards throughout, Brazilian walnut hardwood floors downstairs and 100% wool carpet upstairs. Kitchen has granite and Corian with stainless appliances. Custom PENDING UNDER CONTRACT built-ins throughout. All bathrooms completely remodeled. Tongue and groove ceiling and exquisite grass cloth make this a decorator’s dream home.

To find out how you can benefit from this opportunity, call me for a FREE Market Analysis of your home.

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What’s Happening

Snapshots of Island Visitors Photo by Trebor Britt IT WAS THIS BIG Nothing like a Photo to Prove It. Lorri Reiss of Sarasota, displaying the 33inch Cobia she caught with cut pin fish off the Hart’s Landing pier. Lorri is a retired NYC police officer and said she goes fishing every chance she gets.

arinerWord www.floridamariner.com Answers to theSearch WORD SEARCH from page 31

ers from 1

…on the beach • Beach Hoop Dance Class – Thurs. 6:30 – 7:45pm. Register at www.outwardspiral.net • Free Yoga Mon-Wed.-Fri.-Sat. 9-10:30 am. Classes held between blue & green lifeguard station. Call 941-320-6693 to register or www. yogaonsiestabeach.com • NIA Tues. & Thurs. 9 a.m., Siesta Public Beach (yellow lifeguard chair) Joy Donation: $10 Contact Kathy Oravec at 941-724-9719 or Kathyoravec@ gmail.com • Pilates on Siesta Key Beach – Mon & Wed 6pm. Sun. 9:30am. Cost: $10.(yellow lifeguard station). Register online: http://www.studiorubylake.com • Drum Circle – Every Sunday two hours before sunset and lasts until around 10pm. South of the main pavillion.

mmer eak

• Aug. 3 (Sat) Multi-race Triatlon - This Triathlon features two distances, a 1/4 mile Gulf swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3.1 mile for the Sprint and 1.5km Gulf swim, 40km bike and 10km run for the Olympic distance, the duathlon consists of a 1 mile run, 12.4 mile bike, then another 3.1 mile run. You will bike around and through the Village of Siesta Key and then run on the hard packed, white sand beach. Info at: http://siestabeachtriathlon.com/?page_id=22

• Aug. 8 (Th) i9 Sport Beach Soccer Clinic (67:30pm) is once a month instructional soccer clinic led by our i9 Sports certified soccer coaches. Player to Coach Ratio: 10:1. For more information go to their website: www.i9sports.com • Aug. 22 (Th)– Full Moom Meditation 8-9pm. Far North end of the main public parking lot and enter into beach there. Open to the public. Donations accepted. www.erinnearth.wix.com/ home#!workshops …around the island • Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – every Sunday from 8am – 1pm in Davidson’s Plaza in the Village. 5124 Ocean Blvd. Fresh fruits, vegetables, music, art. • Aug. 4 (Sun) Model Search Prelim at BluQue – 6pm Winner receives an all expense paid trip to Cancun Mexio to compete in the International Finals. For more information contact, Michael@ swimsuitusa.net 149 Avenida Messina (in the Village)

KEY SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE

Best Sunsets In Sarasota!

Spectacular sunsets meet designer decadence in this show stopping 4BR/ 4.5 BA modernluxe masterpiece. Situated in the heart of Siesta Key, this 5,040 square foot beauty boasts expansive terraces and floor to ceiling walls of glass indulging in the best Gulf and Bay views in Sarasota. This stunning home is just a short stroll from the famous white sparkling sands of the number one beach in America. $4,999,000

Waterfront Shortsale!

Entire home updated and expanded. High quality upgrades include granite counter tops, maple custom kitchen cabinets, custom wet bar in 15’ x 21’ game room, 19’ x 19’ media/ home theater, many extra features. Close to the village/beach and boat to your favorite fishing hole. Jet ski davit as well as boat lift. Hurricane shutters, game room with full bath and steam shower. $899,000*

ed !

Fr Ne ie w nd Bu ly ye Pr r ic e!

This week’s featured listings...

• Aug. 6 & 13 (Tues) - Kids Summer Beach Runs. 5:30-7:30p.m. For more information, call 861-5000.

Unparalleled Gulf Views!

This 4 bedroom, 4 bath condo close to Crescent Beach has the best views on Siesta Key! Two separate Lanais with full Gulf of Mexico views for all those spectacular sunsets. Completely and elaborately renovated and turnkey furnished. A very versatile condo that could be separated into 2 units of 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. A gorgeous heated pool only steps from the beach and the warm waters of the Gulf. $2,375,000

View All Siesta Key Listings at KeySolutionsRealEstate.com Or Call 941.894.1255 For More Information! 34

SIESTA SAND August 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Tropical Beach Front Condo!

Huge Townhouse offers 2 large bedrooms plus 2 bonus rooms that function as sleeping areas. Can sleep 8-12 people. Direct gulf front complex offers Beach, pool, tropical landscaped courtyard. Close to both villages and public beach. Updated kitchen and bathes and Turn Key Furnished with new furniture. Located directly next to pool. Must see condo! $500,000

*Short Sale. Listing price may not be sufficient to pay the total of all liens and costs of sale. Sale of property at full listing price may require approval of seller's lender.

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Island Girl Photos by Trebor Britt This months island girl is Brittany from Sarasota. She visits Siesta Key almost every day and enjoys tanning, mudding, and shopping. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently working and If you would like to be considered for our next Island Girl, attending Keiser University. contact us at islandvp@verizon.net (You must be of legal age to participate)

SIESTA SAND August 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.siestasand.net

(941) 706-3421 FREE DELIERY TO THE KEY 11 AM-8 PM DAILY

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JULY - SEPT 2013

BEACH INFORMATION PAGE 15 ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 4

VILLAGE MAP pgs 8 and 9 CresCent Beach MAP pg 7 Street MAP pgs 2 and 15 GULF GATE SHOPS pgs 10 and 11

LOCAL MAPS INSIDE

217 AVENIDA MADERA SIESTA KEY VILLAGE, FL 34342 BEACHBITESSIESTA.COM

The Publication with “Key” Information | www.SiestaSand.net | 941.349.0194

Siesta Key Drum Circle Siesta Beach has become the home to what is considered one of the largest drum circles in the nation. This is not a commercial event but local phenomenon that began spontaneously and now has a life of its own. If you’re visiting the area, or live nearby be sure to check this one out. There are loads of drummers, belly dancers, and hoppers plus lots of families, beach going onlookers, & curious tourists, especially during the tourist season when the crowds can swell into the thousands. Bring a blanket or chair, most everyone does. It happens every Sunday starting a couple of hours before sunset, and ends around 10 PM. This gathering meets up just south of the main pavilion between lifeguard stands 3 and 4 on Siesta Public Beach. Just follow your ears. This is true community - free-form drumming, open to the public and entirely improvised in-the-moment. Instruments center around drums and percussion, but may include other instruments such as flutes, didgeridoos, and other non-percussion instruments. Participation is voluntary and includes singing or chanting, dancing, relaxing, and listening. It’s always a good time with solid musicality, dancing, and a great vibe. Admission is free. The Siesta Key Beach address is: 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, Florida 34242. For more info visit the Facebook group named “Siesta Key Drum Circle” just search for them.

Photos courtesy of Hiram Pedraza and Rick Benitez

|Rocketman Shop

1888 Stickney Point Road., | Sarasota, FL 34231 | 941.923.2096 | www.rocketmanshop.com Our Rock & Roll Lifestyle shop provides everything you need to get your grove on. You’ll find a wide variety of products from your favorite musical bands, as well as bags & clothing, incense, recreational items, wall tapestries, full line of top rated local & domestic blown glass, acrylic & metal pipes, hookahs & shisha, blunt wraps & papers, tobacco & rolling machines, body cleansers & supplements, body jewelry, purses, hemp wear, storage containers & stealthy diversion safes, zippo lighters and lots of items not “made in China…” and much more!! We can help you find the products that are right for you. Our new extended store hours are 10am – 10pm, 7 days a week. Be sure to use the 20% coupon.

|Rated #1 Beach In America by Dr. Beach... Siesta Public Beach, located inside Crescent Beach, is renowned for its truly breathtaking sunsets, easy-going waves, and gorgeous crystal white sand. The sand is 99% pure quartz, soft and cool to the touch. Among the many awards it has earned are the “Whitest, Finest Beach Sand in the World” (The Great International White Sand challenge, 1987), “The Best Sand Beach in America” (The Travel Channel, 2004), for 2011, it was rated #1 beach in the 21st annual Top 10 Beach List, produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of Florida Inter-national University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, and for 2013, Trip Advisor’s 2013 Traveler’s Choice Top 25 Beaches in the US, Siesta Key Public Beach ranked #2. Walking along, or swimming and playing in the Gulf of Mexico or merely basking in the tropical sun is enough fun for many folks, but others are drawn by Siesta Beach’s many amenities, which include tennis and vollyball courts, shaded playground and picnic/barbecue areas and convienent concession stands. Shallow water near shorline and year-round lifeguard protection make it a great family beach. Beach wheelchairs can be borrowed to help special needs visitors cross the sand. There’s always something for everyone to do at Siesta Beach. It’s island location is within easy walking distance to many of the village shops and restaurants located in the Siesta Village. Crescent Beach actually begins between beach access #2 & #3 and extends to beach access #13 with the southern part relatively secluded and quiet, as it has only one public access road. Beach Flags: Indicate surf & beach conditions

Located just south of Siesta Beach, the scene here tends to be more peaceful and private. At the southern tip of this beach is Point of Rocks - a lovely snorkeling and diving area that is rich with coral rock formations as well as colorful and abundant marine life. Crescent Beach visitors staying in nearby resorts, rentals and beach clubs rave (but only to their closest friends) about Siesta Key’s best “non-private private” beach. Turtle Beach is at the southern tip of Siesta Key, and affords a sportier, “family play” beach experience. The beach has picnic areas, a playground, a vollyball court and horseshoe pit. There’s also a boat launch, and fishing is permitted in the adjacent Blind Pass Lagoon. There are restaurants nearby, with shopping and a few local night spots just a short drive away. Turtle Beach is a narrow beach, with a somewhat steeper incline. The sand on the beach tends to carry more shells, making it perfect for beach combers and shell collectors. Many find petrified sharks’ teeth to take home and treasure, especially after a storm.

Here are some usefull tips:

If you find yourself in trouble: 1-Remain calm 2-Call for help 3-Follow the instructions of rescuer If you are being swept out tosea in a rip current: 1-Remain calm 2-Swim parallel to shore 3-Once out of current, swim to shore at an angle, not straight in Please remember: • No glass permitted on beaches • Always respect others & their privacy • Never damage vegetation or take live shells

Siesta Key Public Beach Lifeguards on duty

|Pet Friendly Beaches... Although dogs are not allowed on any of the beaches on Siesta Key, there are a few places you can take your furry pal within a short distance from the island. Brohard Paw Beach, 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285. Hours: 24 hours per day, 365 days per year (parking closed from 12 AM – 6 AM); dogs allowed on the designated portion of beach from 7 AM to dusk only Paw Park is one of the few places along the beach where dogs are allowed. The park features an enclosed run for big dogs and one for small dogs, as well as an open beach area where dogs can swim. This park, across from Venice’s airport, is where you and your “best friend” can play in the gulf and socialize with other dogs, offering doggie drinking fountains; showers on decks for “dogs only”, fire hydrants and leash posts, dog lovers have declared this park… and beach… to be the best doggie park in the state! Shaded by towering oaks, small dogs will enjoy their fenced in arena while the big boys can frolic in the larger pen. Double gates access both parks and the beach. A paved walkway leads directly to the beach where your best friend will delight in this 300’ section of sand and water.

Note: Summer months may force you to carry your furry friend as the sand can be hot under paw. Doggie waste bags and receptacles are provided and strategically placed around the park. Human comforts include drinking fountains, picnic tables and restrooms. Parking is very limited although off road parking is across the street. Bird Key Park is located on Bird Key, Florida, at the foot of the Ringling Causeway Bridge, which leads to Sarasota. This small stretch of beach along Sarasota Bay is a well-known spot for dog lovers. You and your dog can swim together while enjoying stunning views of the blue-green water. The park is open from 6 a.m. until 12 a.m. year-round, and admission is free. (Source: eHow) Ken Thompson Park, a small beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is a hidden treasure near the Mote Marine Aquarium on Sarasota Bay. Here you will also find the New Pass Fishing Pier, which winds through the mangroves. You and your pet can stroll along the pier or relax in the sun while watching the kayakers launch their boats. The beach is open from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. and admission is free. (Source: eHow)

|What’s SUP?... Imagine finding a fun way to get a great core workout into your vacation or spare time. Something that improves your balance and coordination, builds strength and endurance, is no-impact and works for all ages - all while enjoying the Florida waterways. The sport I am referring to is called Standup Paddleboard or SUP. This emerging sport has been consistently gaining momentum and popularity with young and old alike as celebrities are spotted sampling it and athletes use it to workout. It is the fastest growing water sport in this country, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, and will change your vantage point and your idea of a workout. This craze draws its roots from Hawaii when surf instructors wanted a way to be alongside their students during instruction. Necessity being the mother of invention, they found that by standing on surfboards and using outrigger paddles, they could stay next to their students while continuing to instruct. It caught on and progressed as an alternative way for surfers to train while the surf was down. Now, it is the surf sport that needs no ocean and can be done on virtually any body of water. You, the paddler, are the fuel, controlling the speed and intensity of the experience, from recreational cruising to aerobic athletic training. Good, green fun, along with a stealthy total body workout that even allows people to maintain a conversation. “Most people come back to the dock surprised that they have worked up a sweat while having so much fun” allows Mary Hoff, owner of Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures. Just about anyone can participate, including children and pets. It is a sport that allows all water enthusiasts more opportunities to be on the water. Standing is a welcome alternative for kayakers and canoeists allowing one to see both deeper and farther. Paddling is recommended by physical therapists and physicians for strength training and to improve balance. It also offers social, psychological, and spiritual benefits. Walking on water has never been easier!

Places of Worship Siesta Key Presbyterian Chapel (See Siesta Key street map for location) 4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key 941.349.1166 St. Michael Catholic Church (See Siesta Key street map for location) 5394 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key 941.349.4174 St. Boniface Episcopal Church (See Siesta Key street map for location) 5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key 941.349.5616 Temple Sinai, a Reform Congregation (The closest Jewish congregation to the key for visitors) 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota | 941.924.1802 templesinai-sarasota.org Church on the Beach Held every Sunday at 10:00am by the picnic area of Turtle Beach Park.

The following businesses offer paddleboard rentals and provide instructions on the basics with each rental: Robin Hood Rentals, 5129 Ocean Blvd. Located in the Village, 941-554-4242 (D#11 on Village map) Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures, 1518 Stickney Point Rd. Located over the South Bridge in the Boatyard Village, 941-379-4222 (A-5, #12 on Crescent Beach map) Siesta Key Bike & Kayak, 1224 Old Stickney Point Rd. Located in Capt. Curt’s Village by Crescent Beach 941-346-0891 (B-3, #8 on Crescent Beach map) Siesta Sports Rentals, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd. Located in the Southbridge Mall by Crescent Beach, 941-346-1797 (C-3, #14 on Crescent Beach map)

|Important Phone Numbers... Emergency (General)............................................................................................................................................ 911 Fishing & Hunting Licenses................................................................................................................ 941.362.9888 Marriage License Bureau..................................................................................................................... 941.362.4066 Public Library - Gulf Gate Branch...................................................................................................... 941.316.1213 Sarasota/Bradenton Intl. Airport....................................................................................................... 941.359.2770 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT)............................................................................................... 941.316.1234 Sarasota County Information Call Center.................................................................. 941.861.5000 / scgov.net Sarasota County Sheriff Office - Siesta Key Office........................................................................... 941.349.2900 Sarasota Doctors Hospital.................................................................................................................... 941.342.1100 Sarasota Memorial Hospital/Health Care System........................................................................... 941.917.7760 Siesta Shuttle Transportation........................................................................................................... 1.888.536.0030 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.......................................................941.349.3800 / siestakeychamber.com

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Accommodations Locator Map

ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Attractions 4JOHN & MABLE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART www.ringling.org | 941.358.3180 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota

4BIG CAT HABITAT & GULF COAST SANCTUARY bigcathabitat.org | 941.371.6377 | 7101 Palmer Blvd. (east of I-75), Sarasota 4CHILDREN’S GARDEN www.sarasotachildrensgarden.com | 941.330.1711 | 1670 10th Way, Sarasota 4CROWLEY MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER crowleymuseumnaturectr.org | 941.322.1000 | 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota 4HISTORIC SPANISH POINT www.historicspanishpoint.org | 941.966.5214 | 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey 4LEGACY TRAIL www.legacytrailfriends.org | 941.861.7245 4MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS3 www.selby.org | 941.366.5731, ex. 236 | 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota

4SARASOTA JUNGLE GARDENS sarasotajunglegardens.com | 941.355.5305 | 3701 Bayshore Road, Sarasota

4MOTE AQUARIUM www.mote.org | 941.388.4441 | 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota 4MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK www.myakkariver.org | 941.361.6511 | 13208 S.R.72 (9 miles east of I-75) 4OLD MYAKKA PRESERVE 941.861.5000 | 251 Myakka Rd | (eastern end of Fruitville Rd) Sarasota 4OSCAR SCHERER PARK www.floridastateparks.org | 941.483.5956 | 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 4PHILLIPPI ESTATE PARK www.scgov.net | 941.316.1309 | 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 4RINGLING CIRCUS MUSEUM www.ringling.org | 941.359.5700 | 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 4S. FLORIDA MUSEUM, BISHOP PLANETARIUM & AQUARIUM www.southfloridamuseum.org | 941.746.4131 201 10th St., W. Bradenton 4SARASOTA CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM sarasotacarmuseum.org | 941.355.6228 | 5500 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 4SELBY GALLERY ringling.edu/selbygallery | 941.359.7563 | 2700 n. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 4WARM MINERAL SPRINGS warmmineralsprings.com | 941.426.1692 | 12200 San Servando Ave, North Port

G-WIZ HANDS ON MUSEUM3 www.gwiz.org | 941.309.4949 1001 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota

Annual & Seasonal Rentals Available Unit 109 Sea Shell Condominium, Siesta Key FL 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Pool. Sea Shell Condominium is located directly on the beach and has many amenities and features to make any Siesta Key vacation very enjoyable.

Robasota Real Estate (Roberti Companies)

5379 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 •P: 941-926-1800 www.robasotarealestate.com

ext. 102

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

|Crescent Beach Featured Shops |Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures

|Siesta Key Bike & Kayak, LLC

www.siestakeybikeandkayak.com 1224 Old Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242 | 941.346.0891 Siesta Key Bike and Kayak, located on Siesta Key is family owned and operated serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach, Turtle Beach, Crescent Beach, Sarasota and the surrounding areas. We offer a variety of energizing and relaxing things to do while you visit this beautiful scenic area. We offer quality equipment and a friendly reliable expert staff so that you can get the most from your vacation... GUARANTEED.

1518 Stickney Point Rd., In the Boatyard Village | 941-379-4222 www.SarasotaWindAndWater.com We are located in the Boatyard Village, right off the south Siesta Key Bridge. Our shop offers kiteboarding lessons, paddle board lessons, sunset boat cruises, tubing, water skiing, fishing charters and other water sports. Our mission is simple: provide the best products and service to our customers at the lowest prices possible. We take great pride in our company, our commitment to customer service and in the products we sell. We always try to meet or beat any reasonable quote. Store Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., |Anna’s Restaurant & Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 Sunday by appointment. 941-349-4888 | www.surfersandwich.com Anna’s Deli has been serving their Famous |The Green Turtle Souvenir Specialty Sandwiches, featuring the highest & Gift Store quality meats, cheeses, and toppings as well as 6525 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 fresh, daily prepared salads, since 1971. They 941.349.4751 invite you to come in and experience why Siesta Key’s most friendly & unique shopping Anna’s continues to be a Siesta Key tradition spot! You’ll find gifts, souvenirs, beach fashions, for over 41 years!! Hours: 10:30 am - 4:00 pm beach supplies, beach cover-ups, ladies & junior Daily. fashions, plus a super men’s line! Siesta Key’s largest seashell & coral selection!

|Big Water Fish Market

|The Orange Octopus

1220 Old Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242 | 941.346.8080 Home of the orange squeeze! Featuring handmixed ice cream, coffees, shakes, malts, sundaes, smoothies, candles and fudge. Ask us about our ice cream parties! Located behind Captain Curt’s Restaurant on the corner of Midnight Pass & Old Stickney Point Road. Open daily until 9:30pm.

|Miguel’s Restaurant

6631 Midnight Pass Rd, Crescent Plaza 941.349.4024 | www.miguelsrestaurant.net Miguel’s is a family owned restaurant that specializes in French and Continental cuisine. Serving Siesta Key since 1983, they offer a wide selection of appetizers, a Caesar salad for two, perfectly prepared at your table and include fresh gulf seafood, choicest cuts of filet mignon, delicious poultry and veal dishes among their entrees. Finish the night off with decadent desserts including banana fosters, cherries jubilee and traditional creme caramel. Miguel’s also has an extensive wine selection and a full bar.

6641 Midnight Pass Rd., Crescent Plaza 941.554.8101 Offers fresh-from-the-docks seafood along with a variety of complementing sides. They also offer a catering service with selections such as clam bakes, oyster roasts and beach picnic baskets. Come in and choose your own fresh catch or try one of their lunch specials where everything is always good and always fresh.

|Siesta Sports Rentals

www.siestasportsrentals.com 6551 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key, FL 941-346-1797 | Fax: 941-346-1954 Located on beautiful Siesta Key Island providing you with hours of fun, whether vacationing or living in Florida, we offer you the opportunity to see Sarasota and Siesta Key, Florida the way it was meant to be seen. Just steps from Crescent Beach, we provide friendly, quality service at affordable prices. Delivery and pick up available. Mention you found our web site and we will give a discount off your next rental. Stop by and say hello.

|Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar

www.captaincurts.com 1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 | 941.349.3885 | brad@captaincurts.com A family seafood restaurant. Fish, seafood, prime rib, baby back ribs, baskets, sandwiches, salads & children’s menu. Full bar. Happy hour 4-6pm featuring The Back Room Saloon & Sports Bar. Live entertainment. Daily lunch & dinner specials. Gift Shop. Open 7 days a week.

|CB’s Saltwater Outrigger

1249 Stickney Point Rd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-349-4400 / www.cbsoutfitters.com CB’s Saltwater Outfitters offers runabouts, deck boats, pontoon craft and center console boats for rent. A complete bait and tackle store, CB’s offers full lines of high quality gear. It’s experienced staff can help you plan an island boat tour or arrange an outing with experienced guides for offshore and inshore fishing. CB’s is also an Orvis-endorsed flyfishing outfitter.

|Siesta 4-Rent

www.siesta4rent.com 6555 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 941.349.5500 | 877.482.5550 rentals@siesta4rent.com We offer Studios – 5 BR condos and Homes here on beautiful Siesta Key Beach. All units fully equipped, most directly on the beach or beach access. Pets welcome at some. Call or check website for rates. 1 week minimum required.

|Crescent Beach Grocery

1211 Old Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, FL Owners: Nancy Connelly & Bill Singleton 941.312.0472 The Crescent Beach Grocery is Siesta Key’s premier full-service grocery store. Carrying an extremely wide range of groceries, sundries, beer, wine, delicatessen items and fresh-cut meat – as well as practically anything else you can think of – the grocery caters to the needs of both residents and visitors on Siesta Key. The store is particularly well-known for providing good value, personal service and a warm, friendly environment.

“Early” Diners 4-Course Dinner Daily 5:00 - 6:30 PM

13 Entrees To Choose From!

6631 Midnight Pass Road

CRESCENT PLAZA

(1/4 Mile South of Stickney Point Road

Open 7 Days A Week 5 PM ‘til Close

All include appetizer, salad, dessert and beverage

Starting at $15.95

Entree selections include: • Chicken, Veal and Seafood Specialties • Filet Mignon • Lamb Chops • Salmon • Roast Duck • Tenders of Pork

4.50 COCKTAILS Daily 5-6 PM (Well Liquor Only)

For Reservations Call 941-349-4024 www.miguelsrestaurant.net

ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net

ATM & Banks Bank of America............................ A-3 #3 Bars & Nightclubs Capt. Curt’s Backroom Saloon....B-3 #7 Crescent Club............................... C-3 #13 Sniki Tiki........................................B-3 #8 Delis & Sandwiches Anna’s Sandwiches.................... C-3 #14 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery........................................... A-3 #1 DRUG STORES Davidson’s Drugs......................... C-3 #14 Fashion & Accessories CB’s Saltwater Outfitters............ A-3 #4 Coconuts Fashion.........B-3 #1 & B-3 #8 Green Turtle Swimwear............. C-3 #14 Key Casual Fashions................... D-4 #17 Things You Like.......................... C-3 #14 Gifts & Souvenirs Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs.................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts..... C-3 #14 The Silversmith .......................... D-4 #17 Silver City Jewelry...................... C-3 #14 Health & Beauty Lorraine’s Beauty & Barber.........B-3 #8 Salon Siesta................................... D-4 #17 Siesta Key Salon & Spa............... C-3 #14 The Key Spa & Salon.................. A-5 #12 Ice Cream & Treats Orange Octopus ...........................B-3 #8 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson’s Drugs........................ C-3 #14 Mail Pack Center......................... C-3 #14 Liquor Stores Crescent Beach Grocery.............. A-3 #1 Crescent Club................................B-3 #13 Siesta Spirits................................. C-4 #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-4 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery..............B-3 #1 Miscellaneous Moving & Storage........................B-3 #10 Flowers by Fudgie....................... D-3 #17 Real Estate / RENTALS Beckmann Realty............................B-3 #8 Homes & Condo Rentals............ D-3 #17 Moynihan Realty......................... D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent................................ C-3 #14 Restaurants 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 Javier’s Restaurant...................... C-3 #17 Miguel’s Restaurant................... C-3 #17

Map B-3 #7&8

Water Sports - Fishing - RENTALS

A to Z Beach & Bike Rentals...... A-5 #12 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters............ A-3 #4 Sarasota Wind and Water Adventures... ......................................................... A-5 #12 Siesta Key Bike & Kayak . ..........B-3 #8 Siesta Key Jetski (inside CB’s)..... A-3 #4 Siesta Key Marina......................... A-4 #5 Siesta Key Parasailing................... A-4 #5 Siesta Key Watersports............... A-5 #12 Siesta Paddle Sports.................... D-4 #17 Siesta Sports Rentals................. C-3 #14 Waves Boat & Social Club.......... A-5 #12

Hand-Mixed Ice Cream • Cones • Shakes • Malts • Sundaes • Smoothies • Coffee & Bagels Map B-3#8

Home of the Orange Squeeze!

In Season Hours 8AM-9:30PM

941 346 8080 •

THE GREEN TURTLE SHELL & GIFT CITY

1220 Old Stickney Point Road Siesta Key • Behind Captain Curt’s Restaurant Corner of Midnight Pass & Old Stickney Point Road

Siesta Key’s Most Friendly & Unique Shopping Spot! SOUTHBRIDGE MALL

CRESCENT BEACH

19.95 Reg. To $49.00

SIESTA KEY

Siesta Key’s Largest Seashell & Coral Selection!

GIFTS & SOUVENIRS BEACH FASHIONS BEACH SUPPLIES BEACH COVER-UPS LADIES & JUNIORS FASHIONS SUPER MEN'S LINE In South Bridge Mall

•

er Sale up Ladies Bathing Suits

“A Tropical Department Store“

Featuring:

6525 Midnight Pass Road

MAP B-3#14

349-4751

green TURTLE COUPON

FREE! FREE! FREE! A Free Tropical Gift! 79 c Just For Stopping In

VALUE

With This Coupon

No Purchase Necessary

EXPIRES:7/05/2010 Expires 12/31/13

Map C-3#14

Expires 12/31/2013

Map B-3#8

Map C-3#14

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

AccomModations Siesta Beach Resort ........................Map-A #38A ART GALLERY / STUDIO Calle Studios.........................................Map-B #32 ATM / BANKS ATM...................................................... Map-C #53 PNC ATM............................................. Map-C #61 Martin Funding......................................Map-E #1 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.........................Map-E #4 Bakery & Deli A Taste of Germany............................Map-C #53 Heavenly Cupcakes.............................Map-B #50 Village Eats........................................... Map-C #24 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blase Café.............................................Map-A #38 Blu Que Island Grill............................ Map-C #57 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar................Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s...............................................Map-B #33 Old Salty Dog ........................................Map-E #2 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 BOOK STORES Used Book Heaven...............................Map-B #48 COFFEE SHOPS Lelu’s Coffee Lounge...........................Map-B #31 The Local Bean................................... Map-D #62 DRUG & HARDWARE Davidson’s Drugs................................Map-D #65 Village Hardware................................ Map-C #26

Map D #11

ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Siesta Key Fitness..............................Map-B #73 Studio Rubylakes................................ Map-B #49 ICE CREAM/treats Big Olaf Creamery..............................Map-C #52 Gelato Cafe...........................................Map-C #50 SubZero Ice Cream Yogurt............... Map-D #16 Sunni Bunni Frozen Yogurt...............Map-C #53 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs................................. Map-D #65 Internet Cafe......................................... Map-D #9 Lelu Coffee Lounge............................. Map-B #31 The Local Bean...................................Map-D #62 JEWELRY Created Gems......................................Map-C #51 Michael & Co. Jewelers...................... Map-B #29 Mount -N- Repair Jewelers..............Map-B #48 LIQUOR STORES / Fine Wines Gabbiano’s Wine Club....................... Map-D #70 Gilligan’s.............................................. Map-B #33 Siesta Key Wines............................... Map-C #61 The Beach Club................................... Map-D #22 MAILING - SHIPPING UPS store............................................. Map-A #41

Map C #54 & 55

US Post Office..................................... Map-D #65 MARKETS/FOOD STORES 7-11 Store.............................................. Map-B #46 Circle K Store......................................... Map-E #6 Siesta Market........................................Map-C #25 MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage.................... Map-B #35 Massage Experience Siesta Key......Map-D #62 Siesta Key Massage Ctr....................... Map-D #9 MEDICAL - DENTAL Dr. Barry LaClair MD.........................Map-C #56 E.K. Koster DMD................................ Map-D #63 Karen F. Leggett, D.O.........................Map-C #56 Siesta Key Physical Therapy............. Map-D #20 Siesta Smiles Dentistry....................... Map-B #49 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce..................... Map-D #66 Ocean Club......................................... Map-A #37 Roberti Enterprises............................ Map-A #39 Sheriff’s Office...................................... Map-D #9 Solorzano Smoke Shop.......................Map-C #50 Sun Glass Outlet & Henna.............. Map-C #24 PROFESSIONAL SERVICEs CG Designs.......................................... Map-E #74 Edward Jones Investments............... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................. Map-E #74 REAL ESTATE / Rental SERVICES Ascendia Real Estate.......................... Map-D #11 Beachside Resorts Rental.................. Map-D #11 Charles Rutenburg Realty............... Map-C #53 Coldwell Banker Realty..................... Map-D #20 Horizon Realty.................................... Map-B #34 Island Homes.......................................Map-C #51 Key Realty.............................................. Map-E #5 Michael Saunders Realty..................Map-E #72 Re/Max Alliance Group...................Map-D #60 ReMax Tropical Sands....................... Map-D #67 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate..... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Realty.................................. Map-D #9 Waterside Realty.................................Map-C #29 RESTAURANTS Beach Bites..........................................Map-D #16 Bella Roma Italian Rest....................... Map-B #30 Blase Café............................................ Map-A #38 Blu Que Island Grill............................Map-C #57 Bonjour French Cafe...........................Map-C #47 Broken Egg................................ Map-C #54 & 55 Café Gabbiano.................................... Map-D #71 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar............... Map-B #42-43 Eat Here Restaurant.....................Map-D #17/18 Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar.................. Map-B #29 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill.............. Map-B #33 The Hub - Baja Grill........................... Map-D #59 Jo To’s Japanese Restaurant...............Map-C #47 LeLu’s Coffee Bar................................ Map-B #31 Lobster Pot.......................................... Map-C #23 Napoli’s Italian Restaurant................ Map-B #44 Old Salty Dog Rest. & Pub................... Map-E #2 Señor Siesta......................................... Map-D #69 Siesta Key Oyster Bar........................Map-B #45 Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria.................... Map-D #15 Subway Sandwiches........................... Map-B #30 Sun Garden Café................................ Map-D #19 The Cottage..........................................Map-C #58 Village Café........................................Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY Nails By Iris..........................................Map-C #50 Salon Capelli......................................... Map-D #9 Sassy Hair Salon................................ Map-A #40 Siesta Key Nails...................................Map-D #9 Village Barber....................................... Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/Rentals CaliFlorida............................................ Map-B #32 Robin Hood Rentals.........................Map-D #34 Siesta Village Outfitters......................Map-C #53

Map D #11

• segway rentals • PaDDleBOarDs • scOOter cars • kayak tOurs/rentals • Bikes • scOOters • Beach gear 5255 Ocean Blvd • Siesta Key Village www.robinhoodrentals.net

941-554-4242

A Taste of Germany Map C #53 German Breads • Cakes Deli Sandwiches and Coffees

Breakfast and Lunch

“More than a Bakery” 5204 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL • 941-346-1800

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

LV3157

Map B #42

FASHION & ACCESSORIES Aqua Beachwear................................ Map-D #12 Beach Bazaar...................................... Map-C #28 Beach Bazaar’s Swin Shack............. Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.................................. Map-B #30 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More.........Map-D #64 Foxy Lady Fashions........................... Map-A #40 Island Cotton Company.....................Map-C #29 Le Grand Bisou Chic Boutique.......Map-D #11 Siesta T’s............................................... Map-B #30 GAS STATION Circle K Store......................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar...................................... Map-C #28 Created Gems......................................Map-C #51 Hurricane Rita’s Gifts.........................Map-C #51 Mount-N-Repair.................................Map-B #48 Sea Pleasures & Treasures...................Map-C #2 Siesta Key Bead Shack....................... Map-A #36 Siesta Key’psakes................................ Map-B #29 Siesta Key Outfitters.........................Map-D #11 Siesta Key University....................... Map-A #36 HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ................ Map-D #10

G31 G30

G16 G15 G14 G13 G12 G11

G27 G26

G9 G7 G6 G5 G4

G21 G20

G19

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 S30 S29

S28 S27 S26 S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 S19 S18 S17 S16 S15 S14 S13 S12 S11 S10 S9 S8 S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S1

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

S-56

G-3

GG-37

S-16

B 10

G17

G10

G23 G22

For Entire Listing of Gulf Gate Businesses Go To www.siestasand.net and Click on the Maps

G18

G29 G28

G25 G24

Iberia Bank

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

G33 G32

G37 G36 G35 G34

M5 M4 M3 M2 M1

G40 G39 G38

ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net

|Discover the Shops of Gulf Gate... Come and explore the wonderful mix of eclectic shops, bars and restaurants that make up Gulf Gate’s Commercial District. These shops are conveniently located behind the Sarasota Pavilion off South Tamiami Trail. You’ll find each business reflects the owner’s pride in showcasing their specialties and that the longevity of these shops is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that lives on here in Gulf Gate. With our map, located on the previous page, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease. Oh Mamma Mia! (GG-4) Offers a truly unique dining experience with dinner shows by Chef Giuseppe Urbano. Enjoy the family ambiance as you watch him prepare an authentic Italian regional dish with fresh ingredients just for you. Fine dining, great atmosphere at casual dining prices. Reservations highly recommended. Gulf Gate Golf Course – Conveniently located just a stones throw from the Gulf Gate Shops, this 27 hole Executive Course offers men’s and women’s rental clubs. You can start your day with a round of golf, enjoy a bite to eat at the many wonderful restaurants or simply relax with a pint of ale at the pub before you head out to explore the many fine shops. Moments In Time Photography (G-20) specializes in several different photography services including Siesta Key Beach portraits starting at just $49 and wedding beginning at $495. Check out their website: www.sarasotaphotos. com or visit their store to see why they have been the photographer of choice for over a decade and a half. Piccolos Italian Market & Deli (GG-46) 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. And, you cannot leave without trying their cannoli filled with

GG-4

their own homemade cannoli cream or the tiramisu or Sfogliatelle from Brooklyn. Here is where you will find great Italian specialty gourmet items without the gourmet price. 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. Scandinavian Gifts (GG-37) has an extensive selection of gifts and Scandinavian foods. The specialties here include candles, Ekelund table linens, Flensted mobiles, imported glassware, Swedish Klippan textiles and so much more. The baked goods and groceries include imported candies, salty licorice, as well as cheeses, breads, seafood and vegetables from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Sarasota Brewing Co. (G-3) 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 mouthwatering 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. Zante Gyros (S-56) serves up generous portions of authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine as well as American fare. They offer an extensive menu for dinein or take-out with such favorites as the “original” gyros sandwich, lamb souvlaki platters, spanakopita, and tiropita to name a few. Meat-less options are available as well as kid’s meals and party menus. Open Mon. - Sat. from11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Come and put some “OPA” in your life.

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE...

NFL/College Packages FULL BAR

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905 941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

11 B

|Village Featured Shops |The Broken Egg

140 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key, Florida 941.346.2750 | www.thebrokenegg.com The Broken Egg Restaurant, Gift Shop and Gallery has been an island tradition for breakfast and lunch on Siesta Key since 1984. Our scrumptious menu including fabulous egg creations and omelet’s, plate filling pancakes, fresh juices, and homemade bakery selections keep our customers coming back year after year. We serve exquisite breakfasts and lunches from 7:30 to 2:30, 364 days an year.

|Robin Hood Rental

5255 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 941.554.4242 | www.robinhoodrentals.net fun@robinhoodrentals.net Robin Hood Rentals is your 1 stop shop for all things fun! Come in and see us today for Segway rentals, kayak tours/rentals, paddle boards, scooters, bikes for the family, tandems, strollers, beach gear and much, much more. Best prices and service guaranteed. Free delivery on Siesta Key.

|Sun Ride Pedicab

Siesta Key, Florida 941.343.3400 |www.sunridepedicab.com Here’s a fun way to get around the island. Our eco-friendly, “Siesta style” pedicab transport service includes a 200-watt integrated stereo system so you can listen to your favorite tunes while being pedaled to your next destination. The pedicab comfortably fits 2-3 adults and we service the Stickney Point, Commerce area, the Public Beach, and Siesta Village. Our hours of operation are 10 am - 2 am, Monday through Sunday. For a fun time, call us at 941-343-3400.

|A Taste of Germany

5204 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 941.346.1800 A taste of Germany was established in 2011 when owner, Tanja Hofman and her family decided to open a German bakery in their favorite vacation spot, Siesta Key, Florida. Tanja, her husband and their son want to share some of the special foods they enjoy back home with their new friends in America. We hope you enjoy this little Taste of Germany on the Key! Guten Appetit!

|Blu Que Island Grill & Bar

149 Avenida Messina, Siesta Key Village 941-346-0738 / www.bluqueislandgrill.com Blu Que Island Grill and Bar offers smoked infused cuisine featuring hardwood grilled favorites cooked low and slow over hickory and apple wood. Serving lunch and dinner with daily specials. Enjoy live music daily from noon to 10pm along with happy hour on Mondays – Fridays from noon to 6pm where appetizers are ½ off at the bar.

B 12

|Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar

5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village 941-349-8697 | daiquiridecksiestakey.com The Daiquiri Deck on Siesta Key offers a casual atmosphere with friendly wait staff. Cool down with one of their 25 flavored daiquiris or try of their Apalachicola oyster shooters - served six different ways. Their menu includes five varieties of oysters, and the freshest most delectable catches of the day as well as such favorites such as Snapper, Salmon, Grouper, and Tuna. Check their website for a complete menu. Lunch menu differs from dinner menu. Hours: 11:00am till 2:00am 7 days a week, for full service. “After the Beach” happy hour 3-7pm daily.

|Village Café

5133 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village 941-349-2822 | www.villagecafeonsiesta.com Since 1995, this family owned and operated restaurant has been a breakfast and lunch favorite for both tourists and locals. Their breakfast menu includes omelets, pancakes, waffles, freshly squeezed juices and homemade bakery selections. If you come in for lunch, try one of their fabulous sandwiches, wraps, salads and finish with some of their homemade baklava. With a cheerful family atmosphere, friendly staff and great food, it has become the place everybody comes back to on Siesta Key! Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

|Lobster Pot

5157 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-349-2323 | sarasotalobsterpot.com Located on Siesta Key in beautiful Sarasota Florida, we bring you the finest tastes of New England. Enjoy a delightful dining experience in our main dining room or our patio. As winners of “Taste of Sarasota,” the New England Tradition of Excellence is still alive and well here in Sarasota at The Lobster Pot. While here we hope you’ll enjoy your “Old Cape Cod” and Florida dining experience!

|Siesta Key Nails

5107 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village 941-349-9545 The owners of Siesta Key Nails have been providing visitors and residents of the island with professional and courteous nail care for over 15 years. They offer oriental technique and high quality products, servicing both ladies and gentlemen. They offer manicures for $15 and pedicures for $25, and specialize in Shellac Gelcolor. Walk-ins welcome.

|Massage Experience Siesta Key

5138A Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key Village 941.349.4833 www.MassageExperienceSK.com Massage Experience Siesta Key, located in the Davidson Drug Plaza of Siesta Key Village is the perfect place to enjoy a therapeutic massage, facial treatment or mini day spa package. Their unique |Siesta Key Outfitters treatment rooms have sunny garden 5121 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 atriums where you can relax and hear the 941.349.3490 birds sing while you are pampered by an www.siestakeyoutfitters@verizon.net experienced Licensed Massage Therapist. “The biggest little store in the village!” Make your own Siesta Key sand art Hours: Monday - Saturday: 9AM - 6PM. souvenir. We have it all: mens, ladies & kids Other hours by appointment. clothing, towels, beach chairs, jewelry, and unique souvenirs. We are the only place in |Eat Here Restaurant town to make your own customized Siesta 240 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key Village Key shirt! Our skilled artists create beautiful 941-346-7800 / www.eatheresiestakey.com airbrush tatoos and adorable face painting. Eat Here celebrates chef-crafted, Gulf-coast Come in and get a free sand dollar with your cookery featuring presentations of local purchase. We are located just a few doors farm products, fresh, locally-caught seafood North of The Village Cafe in the Siesta Key and inspired pizza and tacos. The Eat Here Village. bar serves traditional and creative cocktails, crafted beers and wines from primarily family-owned vineyards. Hours: from |Siesta Key Wines 5:30pm nightly. 5138C Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key Village 941-552-9105 / www.siestakeywines.com Siesta Key Wines specializes in unique |Beach Bites Domestic, Florida Wines and “Hard to 217 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key Village 941-706-3421 / www.beachbitessiesta.com Find” imported wines. Stop by and visit their specialty tasting The bright colors, cotton candy and sno-cone bar and gift shop where you can always machines at Beach Bites, gives you the feel “Try before you buy!” at their daily wine of what a fun Jersey Shore sandwich shop is tastings. You will find wine gifts with a like. Offered here are specialty sandwiches tropical flair, gourmet gifts and baskets, or a build-your-own sandwich option using local and imported wines, and local art. Boars Head products. Soups, salads and Hours: Monday thru Thursday 11:00 am - nachos round the menu. For a unique twist 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am - 8:00 on flavors, try their wine smoothies and beer sno-cones. Hours: 11am – 6pm daily. pm, (Seasonal) Sundays Noon - 5:00 pm.

ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net

|The Local Bean, A Coffee House

5138 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key Village 941-870-2671 | thelocalbeansiesta.com A comfortable and relaxed living room type venue for sipping your favorite java and teas. Original, locally grown live music is played on Thursday evenings. Local art, photography and crafts are also featured, as well as free Wi-Fi and a nice place to read, chat with your friends, or just chill Siesta Style. Be sure to try their signature drink, the Beanaccino along with a freshly baked dessert.

|Comfort Shoes

5128 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key Village 941-346-7425 | rickscomfortshoes.com Comfort Shoes has been providing locals and visitors with quality and comfort for more than 30 years. Birkenstock is their core line but they also offer several new lines of comfort footwear such as Merrell, NAOT,Teva and more. They can special order any footwear in the brands they carry in their store.

|Siesta Key University

5263 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key Village 941-487-8323 | SiestaKeyUniversity.com Siesta Key University (SKU) isn’t your typical “school.” Tuition fees, admissions essays and required reading lists…forget about them! SKU is a “school of thought,” a new retail business offering universitythemed apparel and gifts for all ages. Sun + Fun x Love – Homework = Siesta Key University. Hours: 10-7, seven days a week.

|Siesta Key Free Ride

941- 952-8294 | SiestaKeyFreeRide.com Siesta Key Free Ride provides free, tips only, rides in their breezy, open-air electric vehicles on Siesta Key. Siesta Key resident and owner, Jerry, enjoys having the opportunity to serve our local residents and visitors alike, to welcome you to our beautiful Siesta Key Island, and to offer free, no-hassle, enjoyable rides to your island destination. For fast pick-up and delivery service, give Jerry a call.

|Sassy Hair Salon

209 Beach Rd., Siesta Key Village 941-349-6525 | www.sassyhair.com Sassy Hair Salon offers more than just hair-cuts and perms. In addition to skin care, nails and massages, they specialize in bridal packages to make sure you look and feel your best for your special day. Sassy prides itself on being a top salon in the Sarasota area. Through constant staff education and attention they pay to their client’s wishes, Sassy is constantly building the name and becoming synonymous with style and professionalism.

|Beach Bazaar On Siesta Key... Beach Bazaar 5211 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-346-2995

L • Space

Body Glove

Ruffle O’Neill Swinsuit

Beach Bazaar is the souvenir, surf and swim gear store that specializes in men’s and women’s fashions for the beach. They’re the fourth largest retailer of Reef TM sandals and Zap TM skin-boards in the United States and carry a wide range of hot brands like Body Glove TM, L*Space TM swimwear and more. Pictured is the L*Space TM and Body Glove TM swimwear. Both lines offer mix-and-match options for a customized fit and style. Check out their wide selection for that perfect look. Conveniently located in the village. (C-28, on the village map)

|Siesta Key Outfitters... 5121 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village. Owner: James Ritter Siesta Key Outfitters is the only place in the Village to make your own customized Siesta Key shirt on site. They carry mens, ladies and kids clothing along with beach towels, beach chairs, jewelry and

unique souvenirs. You can make your own Siesta Key sand art souvenir. Plus, you’ll get a free sand dollar with your purchase.

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

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|Coconuts of Siesta Key... Coconuts of Siesta Key 1215 Old Stickney Point Rd., Siesta Key, FL 34242 941-346-2954 coconuts-sk.com Bringing fun and colorful clothing to Siesta Key since 1982. Explore more than 3000 sq ft of Fresh Produce Clothing,Vera Bradley, Jams World Hawaii, Crocs Shoes, jewelry,hats, beach bags and a huge selection of cool Siesta Key t-shirts,sweatshirts and souvenirs for the whole family. From infants up to 3x plus sizes,we have you covered. Coconuts features Fresh Produce Clothing which is one of the most original and refreshing casual resort lines. Known and loved by women for lush colors,simply inspired designs and coastal comfort. Stop in and see why locals and visitors return time and time again to Siesta Key’s original locally owned clothing store. Huge selection,exceptional service and great prices. Live Life-Enjoy Color Coconuts is located one block south of Stickney Point Rd( Siesta Key’s South Bridge)-Next to Crescent Beach Grocery (B-3 #1 on the Crescent Beach map).

|Home of the Finest Consignment Boutique Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel has been in the consignment business for over 20 years specializing in the resale of designer and name brand apparel for women. Fifi’s prides itself with providing exceptional service to the local community, and is celebrating being a part of it for over 20 years. At Fifi’s, you’ll find authentic designer handbags, new jewelry & accessories, and brand name consignments – all at bargain prices. Fifi’s is nationally recognized and has been selected Newsleader Best of the Best Consignment shop in 2008, 2009, & 2010.

Visit any or all of the locations listed below. to find pretty clothes at bargain prices. Fifi’s of Sarasota | 941-312-6950 1905 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota FL 34239 Fifi’s of Osprey | 941-451-8298 11 South Tamiami Trail Corner of Bay Street and Tamiami in Osprey Fifi’s of Venice #1 | 941-244-2663 219 Venice Ave. W, Venice FL 34285 Fifi’s of Venice #2 | 941-488-4848 223-A Miami Blvd., Venice FL 34285 Fifi’s of Lakewood Ranch #1 | 941-907-8900 8322 Market Street, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Fifi’s of Lakewood Ranch #2 | 941-758-7222 7343 52nd Place, E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

|Sassy Hair On Siesta Key...

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These hot steamy days play havoc with our hair. Curls popping up-frizzies from brow to nape and general unruliness caused by high humidity. “Keratin Express” Smoothing Treatments are the answer to all your summer hair woes. Keratin Express removes 90% of frizz, condenses wavy hair and cuts drying time in half. This treatment is safe for color treated hair and actually vastly improves the condition of your hair. You’ll love it. Affordable (starting at $75.00) and fast start to finish; 1 hour Keratin Express will keep your hair looking shiny and frizz free from 4-6 weeks . Here comes the Brides! Siesta Key Beach is a mecca for brides all over the country. Our stylists will travel to you or accommodate you in our salon. Airbrush make up is a must for Bridal Parties, as it is guaranteed not to melt or fade for 12 hours. Hair Wraps - Corn Rows - Gem Colored Extensions and yes, Feathers... It’s summer on Siesta Key! Everyone wants to take home with them a bit of island flavor and why not? Bold strands of hot pink and cobalt blue hair extensions are a striking accessory for a night or a month. The island hair wrap are very popular this season. From pale delicate threads to the Rasta colors, wraps can be done in any combination of colors.

ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net

Another added accessory is the nail art. Sassy’s Nail Girls (voted finalists in Sarasota’s Reader’s Choice Awards) are never to be out done when it comes to creativity. We’re not talking about daisy’s and palm trees. This is three dimensional art work, air brushed colors and ombre nails. These designs are inspired by the clothes we wear, the sky at sunset and our beautiful gulf. The Rock Star Glitter is also a best seller here at Sassy. You need sun glasses to look at them; so sparkly!! With all the innovative advances in nails, the polish is completely dry when you leave the salon. Sassy is open 7 days a week for your convenience and our work can be viewed at sassyhair.com. Conveniently located in the Foxy Lady Building, across from Beach Access #5. We welcome you to our world. Sassy Hair: 209 Beach Road, Sarasota, Fl 34242 | 941-349-6525 | Sassyhair.com

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ISLAND VISITOR July - Sept 2013 • www.siestasand.net