Siesta Sand - April 2020

PACKAGE WINDOW IS OPEN

NORTH BEACH ROAD Circuit Court delivers verdict

page

6

page

Siesta Key Beach

Qualifies for healthy beach campaign

5

page

11

VISITORS WELCOME – LOW RATES!

Why the world comes to Sarasota

©

Annual Membership Special… $1/day

APRIL 2020 | 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY

Plans Proceeding for new Siesta Key Resort An Update on the Proposed Siesta Key Resort Siesta Sand spoke with Dr. Gary Kompothecras about his planned Siesta Key Resort on Stickney Point.

He discussed the hotel’s contemporary exterior design and provided Siesta Sand with an exclusive preview of the structure’s exterior rendering. He noted that onsite parking will be out of view, under the main building.

Additional garage parking, across the street from the hotel, where the Bank of America building was once located will reflect a coastal appearance.

zoning related action will need to be taken before the Sarasota County Commission.

Can you p ro v id e u s w ith a progress report on your proposed new hotel?

Sarasota has a history with modern design. In fact, the Sarasota School of Architecture defines a regional modern style that combines organic modern and European contemporary

We are still in the entitlement phase of the project. To move forward, some

Are you still working toward an opening date of 2022?

Yes, we are still planning on a 2022 opening if all goes well with the zoning activity required.

Can you discuss the architectural design of the structure and how you decided on that style?

elements using lots of glass to bring the outside in and reinforced concrete as a visible architectural element. I have been a Sarasota County resident for decades and always appreciated the style. I also own a small lodging facility nearby that was built many years ago and reflects these design principles. We recently upgraded that property while retaining its local modern character.

Have you had any interaction with the Sarasota architectural groups in finalizing the “look” of the new hotel?

No, we have not. Our team is very familiar with this style and the coastal

Front View

Continued on page 36

Sarasota County closes all public County Commissioner changes beaches indefinitely By Rachel Brown Hackney position on Beach Road SarasotaNewsLeader.com construction As of 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, all of no more than 10 people and sitting

By Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County public beaches will be closed indefinitely, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis an nounced during a March 19 press conference.

County leaders’ concern, he said, has been that closings of beaches in other com mu n it ies — especia l ly i n Sout h Florida — would drive more visitors to the shoreline on the west coast of the state, including Sarasota County beaches.

“I t r ave r s e d t h e b e a c h f r om ou r southernmost point to our northernmost point today,” Lewis said. People have been doing “exactly what we’ve asked of them,” he added, which is gathering in groups

Page 8 Paw Pals Meet Raylan

• Village Map/business listings PAGE 22 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 24 • Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 30 • Island Humor PAGE 29 • Accommodations Map/ Listings PAGE 43

at least 6 feet from other groups. People have been listening to the direction Gov. Ron DeSantis and health officials offered earlier in the week, Lewis emphasized.

“Unfortunately,” he continued, “we’ve been very worried [about the potential impact of beach closures in other parts of Florida]. … We’re worried about the gridlock that might come into play.”

“Our residents have been fantastic,” Lewis said, “and we will keep that in mind. … We will do our best to keep this closure as short as possible.”

“S a ra s o t a C ou nt y i s k n ow n a s a Continued on page 23

Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert acknowledged on March 11 that she had been prepared to vote “No” on another petition involving construction seaward of the county’s Gulf Beach Setback Line.

H o we ve r, a f t e r l i s t e n i n g t o t h e presentation of William Merrill III of the Icard Merrill law firm in Sarasota, she said she had changed her mind. She noted Merrill’s comments about the fact that each of the two new proposed homes would have a smaller footprint at the ground level than the existing structure located at 65 Beach Road on Siesta Key.

SarasotaNewsLeader.com Merrill and Staci Tippins, a county envi ron menta l specia list, expla i ned during a March 11 public hearing that the plans call for demolishing a 2,568-squarefoot, slab-on-grade house built in 1971. The parcel then would be subdivided into the two original plats it encompasses in the Mira Mar Beach Subdivision. Afterward, two modern, two-story structures built over parking areas would total 5,260 square feet, Merrill and Tippins told the board.

Continued on page 46

Page 26

Page 3 Casey Key Road & shoreline improvements

Page 33

Fish farm update

Food Safety Tips from the Fish Monger

Make Sarasota

HOME

Call One Of Our Buyer Specialists Today View all siesta key listings: www.keysolutionsre.com or call 941-894-1255

1398

2

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

At Davidson Drugs, the health and safety of our community is our number one priority. We wanted to share our plans to ensure we provide top-notch service during this crisis while also providing a safe environment for our customers and employees.

Therefore the following ways are ways to provide you with the best service possible.

• We will maintain our normal operating hours as long as possible and will comply with all public health guidelines.

• We offer as always free home and office delivery.

• We offer curb side pick up for all your needs.

• We have increased protocols in sanitizing surfaces in our stores to protect our customers and staff.

Please be safe and take care of yourself, your family and loved ones.

SIESTA KEY VILLAGE 5124 Ocean Blvd.

349-1111

SOUTHBRIDGE MALL 6595 Midnight Pass Rd. 349-4343

www.DavidsonDrugs.com

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

County staff and commissioners agree to find $7.6 million for repairs on Casey Key Road shoreline

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Four of the five Sarasota County commissioners have made it clear to staff that they believe the county should shoulder the responsibility of paying for repairs to two sections of Casey Key Road, including an area where a county potable water line has been threatened by significant shoreline erosion.

During a June 2019 budget

had been assessed since 1996.

During a Feb. 4 discussion, Commissioner Charles Hines said, “This MSTU just doesn’t seem to fit. … This is a public road, and everybody uses it all the time.”

During public comments on the issue that day, Lisa Napolitano, pre side nt of t he C a s ey Key A s so c i at ion, told t he b oa rd

consequences.’ The county bought a road and a water system on the beach,” Doughty continued, “and I think the county needs to accept the consequences of that.”

Unless someone could offer him a better argument, Hines said after the public comments, he could not justify new assessments for the county project. People who have

workshop, county Public Works staff proposed the potential of reviving a millage rate for a special taxing district on the affected portion of Casey Key. At that time, Spencer Anderson, director of the Public Works Department, suggested the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) assessments could cover up to 50% of the cost of the shoreline project. He estimated the total expense at $7.6 million.

However, commissioners voiced discomfort over that prospect, especially since no Casey Key property owners in that district

members she was speaking for all of her organization’s members when she said, “We agree Casey Key Road needs to be repaired without delay …” However, she continued, the funding should come entirely from the county, just as the county would pay for repairs to any other road it owns.

“Some months ago,” Dennis Doughty, past president of the Casey Key Association told the board, “I overheard one of our representatives tell a resident, ‘If you buy property on the beach, you need to be ready to accept the

bought houses on Casey Key over the past 24 years, he added, “had no clue that this [funding proposal] could come forward.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Chair Michael Moran said.

“Commissioner Hines … has said exactly what I wanted to say,” Commissioner Alan Maio added.

Commissioner Nancy Detert made the count four.

Only Commissioner Christian Ziegler offered no opinion that day about using MSTU assessments to help cover the county’s expense.

Maio asked Public Works Director

Anderson if staff had determined whether revenue in the county’s Public Utilities Department Reserve Fund could be allocated to the Casey Key project.

Staff had not evaluated that idea, Anderson told him.

“Let’s look at that,” Maio told him.

In response to another question from Maio, Anderson said staff hopes to get final funding direction from the commission when the board holds its first workshop on the county’s 2021 fiscal year budget, which was scheduled for late March.

Anderson also explained on Feb. 4 that staff is trying to obtain an extension of a state permit to keep temporary, oversize sandbags — “trap bags” — in place in the 2100 block of Casey Key Road, where erosion threatens the potable water line. Staff’s goal, Anderson emphasized, is to begin repairs of a step revetment in the 700 block of North Casey Key Road and to start construction of a new revetment in the 2100 block area no later than November 2021. That way, he said, the project could be completed in April 2022, before sea turtle nesting season gets underway officially on May 1, 2022.

If the initiative cannot begin in November 2021, Anderson told the board, staff most likely would have to wait until after the 2022 nesting season to schedule the project.

In the meantime, the commissioners voted unanimously, on a motion by Hines, to appropriate a total of $1,058,640 for the design phase of the Casey Key project.

The motion included approval of a $769,400 agreement with Erickson Consulting Engineers Continued on page 39

27th State Media LLC

3

From the Publisher As this issue was preparing to go to press, Sarasota County announced the closing of all public beaches effective Saturday, March 21st. That was the latest news in a week full of developments and announcements related to the COVID-19 crisis.

Obviously, these developments have an impact on everyone that either lives, visits, works, or owns a business on Siesta Key. The timing is also specifically unfortunate because April is one of the strongest revenue months for many business owners on the Key. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to support the local businesses in any way you can that is consistent with your safety and the new restrictions being imposed: order a takeout meal, visit local businesses websites and shop local when you can. The point is Siesta Key is a great place to live and visit because of its entirety. The beautiful beaches coupled with all unique businesses and great people who own and work for them is what makes Siesta Key so special. We are confident any support would be greatly appreciated and would be an investment in life on the Key. Also, as you read this issue of the Siesta Sand, you might see some of your favorite departments missing from the paper: Live Music Schedule, the What’s Happening calendar, and Drum Circle article. You can count on these departments being back in the paper in the future – hopefully by the May issue. That will mean life on Siesta Key is back to normal.

You will enjoy a couple of new departments in the paper this month – Paw Pals (page 8) and Seen in the Sand on page 22.

In the meantime, please stay safe and take care of yourself, family, friends, and loved ones. Again, it is all of us that makes Siesta Key a truly special place to live and visit.

Brion Palmer Todd Zerega

4

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

Financial Focus As you know, the coronavirus has become a major health concern, not just in China, but in other parts of the world, too – and it’s also shaken up the financial markets.

As an individual investor, how concerned should you be?

The impact of the coronavirus on the markets isn’t surprising.

China is the world’s second-largest economy, and when it experiences factory closures, supply chain disruptions and city lockdowns, the ripple effect on the world’s other economies is considerable. Plus, the financial markets simply don’t like uncertainty – and there’s a lot of that associated with this outbreak and the efforts to contain it.

Nonetheless, instead of worrying over events you can’t control, try to focus on what you can do in this investment climate. Here are a few suggestions: • Don’t panic. The coronavirus may well cause continued market volatility over the next several weeks, or even months. But it’s important for investors to take a long-term view. Market corrections – typically defined as a drop in investment prices of 10% or more

941.312.0665

Don’t Let Coronavirus Infect Your Investment Strategy

– are a fairly common occurrence, and we may have been overdue for one even before the coronavirus scare. In any case, it’s generally a good idea not to radically revamp your investment strategy unless you experience a major change in your personal life – a significant career move, medical condition, change in family situation, etc.

• B e a ware of histo r y. T he coronavirus is certainly serious, but it’s not the only viral outbreak we’ve seen in recent decades.

During these earlier pandemics, the financial markets also took a hit, but they bounced back. For example, from late April 2003, in the midst of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) until late April 2004, the S&P 500 rose about 21 percent.* And other large gains were recorded following the outbreak and decline of the Ebola and Zika viruses. Of course, the past performance of the markets i n pandem ic sit uat ions can’t necessarily predict future market developments; every situation is different, and over the next year, returns might be modest, as prices have already soared in the 11 years

since they bottomed out during the but by following a consistent, longfinancial crisis of 2008-09. term investment strategy that’s • Don’t try to time the market. We appropriate for your individual may well see coronavirus-based needs, you’ll be doing what you can volatility in the near future – but to help yourself move toward your volatility implies “ups” as well financial goals. as “downs.” If you try to time the *The S&P 500 is unmanaged, not available for investment and is not meant to depict an market by guessing at highs and direct actual investment. lows, and then “buying high and selling low,” you might get lucky once in a while, but you could just as easily miss the mark.

• Keep a diversified portfolio. In addition to avoiding efforts to time the market, you should also stay away from trying to pick “winners” and “losers” among individual investments in the marketplace of viruses. Instead, try to build and Joe St.Onge, ChFC® maintain a diversified portfolio, consisting of an array of different Financial Advisor asset classes, with the allocation Edward Jones Investments of these assets based on your risk tolerance and time horizon.

5112 Ocean Blvd., Diversification doesn’t prevent Siesta Key, FL 34242 losses or guarantee profits in a (941)-346-0560 phone declining market, but it may help (941)-320-4030 mobile reduce the impact of volatility on Joe.StOnge@edwardjones.com your portfolio.

You may not be able to totally This article was written by Edward quarantine your portfolio from Jones for use by your local Edward Jones this serious virus in the short term, Financial Advisor.

www.siestasand.net

Island Chatter Written by Siesta Sand Staff Siesta Key Association Update

The SKA Directors met on March 10th for the Annual Election of Directors and Officers. The meeting resulted in 12 directors for 2020-21.

The 2020-21 SKE Directors and Officers are: Jean Cannon (Secretary), Roland Clark, Tim Cookerly (Treasurer), Natalie Gutwein, Joyce Kouba, Erin Kreis, Catehrine Lucknner (President), Robert Luckner, Daniel Lundy (Vice-President), Tom Surprise, Eddie Ward, and Todd Zerega.

The SKA Annual Breakfast Meeting scheduled for March 28th has been canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our breakfast meeting has been a lot of fun these past n i ne yea rs,” said Cat heri ne Luckner, President of the SKA. “We always look forward to this event. However, with many members being within the most vulnerable age range for the COVID-19, it was the best decision Continued on the next page

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

Island Chatter

27th State Media LLC

5

MULTIPLE NEW TV’s

Continued from the previous page

for everyone. We’ll hold another event later this year,” Luckner added.

The next SKA meeting is currently scheduled for May 7th.

Cancelations Aplenty

Obviously, with the COVID-19 pandemic there have been many cancelations, postponements, and closures.

The 42nd Annual Siesta Fiesta scheduled for April 25th-26th has been postponed. No final decision has been made on rescheduling the event.

Another casualty of the current health crisis was the Chamber’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 11th at Turtle Beach.

Additionally, all Siesta Key beach events including Drum Circle have been canceled at least until April 12th. Also, all Sarasota County events have been cancelled until then, too.

The Fire Department’s 2019 report for the Key

As part of the Feb. 18 program of the Siesta Key Condominium Council meeting, Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier offered detailed statistics for Fire Station 23 for 2019.

That station is located at the intersection of Beach Road and Midnight Pass Road, adjacent to the public beach park.

Noting that the department is “quite busy out here on the Key,” Reg n ier explained that, not surprisingly, given the older population, the majority of the calls were for emergency medical services (EMS).

The total number of fire and rescue incidents for Siesta last year was 1,569, out of 64,372 countywide, according to the slide Regnier presented to the audience. “About 88% of the overall volume,” he continued, involved EMS calls: 1,258.

The stats showed that 32 of those EMS calls dealt with motor vehicle collisions — including one extraction of a person; 37 were elevator rescues; 10 were water/surf rescues; and another 10 were watercraft rescues.

Of the 311 fire-related incidents, the report said, 157 were false alarms; 105 were service calls; 12 involved fires not on the Key; 29 were related to hazardous conditions;

STOP BY FOR MUSIC ON THE PATIO AND RELAX

DRIVE-UP WINDOW OPEN COME DOWN AND SEE YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDER ALL HATS, SHIRTS, COOZIES, BOTTLES, NIP BOTTLES, BEERS ALL AVAILABLE AT PACKAGE WINDOW

Follow us on

@crescentclubsiestakey #crescentclubsiestakey

941-217-6837

Continued on page 17

Spend $125 in June

PACKAGE WINDOW OPEN AND SELLING SEALED BOTTLES OF ALL SIZES, SOFT DRINKS, AND BEERS

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

♥ Welcome to Siesta Key! ♥

Trends & fashions that women love since 1972. ♥ SHOP LOCAL ♥

20 off any regular priced

$

purchase of $125 or more*

*Some exceptions apply. Valid through April 30, 2020.

Siesta Key 941.349.6644 • St. Armands 941.388.5239

FoxyLadySarasota.com

6

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Circuit Court rules against North Beach Road County Charter amendments

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Just four months shy of the fourth anniversary of the initial case filing, a 12th Circuit Court judge has ended all of Siesta Key resident Michael Cosentino’s efforts to reverse the May 11, 2016 County Commission vacation of part of North Beach Road.

On the morning of Feb. 28, Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh granted a joint motion of Sarasota County and two sets of North Beach Road property owners.

They had sought a final order that would end related litigation over two Sarasota County Charter amendments Cosentino wrote, which won voter approval on the November 2018 General Election ballot.

Circuit Judge Hunter Carroll ruled on Oct. 28, 2019 that one of the amendments violated the Florida Constitution. The first sentence of the second amendment, he continued, also was invalid for the same reason. Thus, he ruled against Cosentino.

(McHugh was unable to preside over the hearing on those points because of a family emergency.)

In a Feb. 18 order, McHugh dismissed the last count in the lawsuit Cosentino filed in June 2016 related directly to the road vacation.

In her Feb. 28 ruling, McHugh wrote, “The Court finds that all claims have been adjudicated in this lawsuit. … [T]he Court will enter a final order, reserving ju r i sd ic t ion to deter m i ne cost s a nd attorney’s fees.”

McHug h h ad conduc ted a Feb. 18 hearing on the motion filed by the Office of the County Attorney, the Caflisch family and Dennis and Wendy Madden.

The Caflisches and Maddens comprised two of the three sets of North Beach Road property owners who had petitioned for the vacation of 373 feet of North Beach Road.

In her Feb. 28 ruling, McHugh noted that Cosentino and the nonprofit organization he founded in June 2016 — Reopen Beach Road — maintained that no final order could be issued in the Charter amendments part of the case because Judge Carroll had ruled that the constitutional portions of Amendment 3.10 could be preserved. “The flaw in this argument,” McHugh wrote, “is that neither Cosentino, nor Reopen Beach Road, have ever sought declaratory relief with respect to 3.10. There is no pending claim on which Cosentino or Reopen Beach Road, Inc., can proceed to request further [court] action on 3.10.”

She added, “For Co s e nt i no or Re op e n Beach Road, Inc. to bring a de cla rator y act ion regarding 3.10, the Court would have to per m it t h e m t o a m e nd t h e i r pleadings, nearly four years into the lawsuit, wherein an extraordinary amount of judicial labor has been exercised to dispose of mu lt iple controversies bet ween multiple parties.”

Fu r t h e r, Mc Hug h continued, the county, the Maddens and the Caflisches filed their motion for final judgment in the case on Dec. 6, 2019. “Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road, Inc. had more than ninety days to file a motion to amend their complaint or a motion for clarification of [Carroll’s ruling] on 3.10, but none were filed, or pending before the Court,” when the Feb. 18 hearing was conducted.

“For t he rea son s ab ove,” McHug h continued, “the Court finds the arguments o p p o s i n g e n t r y o f f i n a l j udg m e n t

Concierge Custom Construction

unpersuasive.”

Charter Amendment 3.9 called for the county to rescind the road vacation or reacquire the vacated segment.

Amendment 3.10 forbade the county from selling any county-owned property, including road segments or rights of way, “along or abutting any beach, river, creek, canal, lake, bay, gulf access or waterfront vista.” That was the portion Circuit Judge Carroll ruled to be in contravention of state law.

With the Charter amendments litigation underway, the County Commission in Ja nua r y 2019 i ndef i n itely cont i nued a publ ic he a r i ng on a road vacat ion pet it ion rega rd i ng prop er t y i n Ve n ice. Com m i s sione r Charles Hines, especially, c ited concer n t h at t he segment could be said to have a water view.

Carroll characterized the remaining sentences of A mend ment 3.10 a s encouragement of good c o u n t y p o l i c y. T h e y called for the county to “e n c o u r ag e m a x i mu m r ig ht of way u s e for public access and viewing of water f ront v ist as” a nd sa id t hat, “Whenever feasible, the County shall make these areas accessible to mobility impaired persons.”

SNL was unable to get a comment from the Office of the County Attorney prior to the deadline for this issue of Siesta Sand.

Cosentino repeatedly has told the SNL that he believes he ultimately will prevail at the appellate level.

A claim of forces aligned against him During a Jan. 28 hearing, Cosentino

“The Court

finds that all

claims have been adjudicated in this lawsuit.”

Remodeling

talked of plans to file a third amended compla i nt i n t he Nor t h Beach Road case. Since the summer of 2019, he has t a ken a nu mber of oppor t u n it ies — i ncludi ng a n appea ra nce b efore t he County Commission — to accuse the Office of the County Attorney of colluding with the Caflisches and the Maddens to prevent the county from constructing a system that would stabilize the portion of North Beach Road the commission ended up vacating.

Charles D. Bailey III of the Williams Parker firm in Sarasota pointed out to the County Commission on May 11, 2016 that the segment at the heart of the vacation petition had been closed to motor vehicle traffic since 1993 because of repeated storm damage.

Ho we ve r, C o s e n t i n o h a s c i t e d a statement written by former Count y Administrator Randall Reid, indicating Reid’s intent was to pursue one of the st ab i l i z at ion me t ho d s pr op o s e d by a Jack sonv i l le eng i neer i ng f i r m t he county hired to assess the road damage in 2013. Taylor Engineering issued its report that fall. However, the County Commission took no action on any of the recommendations.

At t h at t i me, t he b o a rd st i l l wa s contending with a continuing decline in property tax revenue as a result of the Great Recession.

During a June 25, 2019 hearing before McHugh, Cosentino said, “I want to bring some things to light with respect to fraudulent misrepresentation of the law and facts” by the county and the attorneys for the Maddens and Caflisches.

His goal, Cosentino told McHugh on Jan. 28, was “making a record [of the issues in Circuit Court] and saving my money for the appeal.

Project Management

3534 South Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941.924.1868 | NutterCustomConstruction.com LEED Accredited Professional Florida Licensed Building Contractor CBC 060004 Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker BK3222256 Florida Licensed Home Inspector HI4630

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

7

Did You Know Siesta Key has a GEMSTONE? It’s no secret that the sand on Siesta Key Beach is composed of 99% pure quartz.

The crystalline white sand of Siesta Key is luxurious, soft, white and cool to the touch 365 days a year. This is why our beloved beach has been revered as one of the most beautiful in the world. Wanting to capture the experience and essence of Siesta Key beach was the goal of the proprietor of Silver City, Monica.

“Tourists always wish they can somehow take their vacation memories with them,” so with this in mind, Silver City designed the Siesta Key Watercolor GemstoneTM. They were able to capture the colors of Siesta Key’s blue/ green water and put it into a quartz gemstone.

This quartz gemstone is a fusion of the tropical colors that surround us. Just looking into the clear, beautiful gemstone will transport you back to our island paradise representing the sea, sky and beautiful sand of Siesta Key Beach.

Silver City has now become a “Must Stop” destination for tourists (Currently named #1 shopping destination on TRIP ADVISOR on Siesta Key). Shining brightly among the cases of this uniquely mirrored store lies the much raved about Siesta Key Watercolor GemstoneTM. Every jewelry piece is designed and made

by Silver City Sarasota. The staff of Silver City Sarasota is very proud of their unique collection and variety of designs in Sterling Silver and in 14K gold.

Also available online at

Siesta Key Watercolor Gemstone™

www.SilverCitySarasota.com Silver City Sarasota 6539 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL. 34242 Phone: 941-349-5030 Open Monday-Saturday 10am to 5pm

www.SilverCitySarasota.com

Advertorial

8

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Chew on This

By Nicole Kenedy Raw. Frozen. Canned.

Freeze-dried. And good, old-fashioned kibble.

When it comes to choosing the menu for your dog, there are a number of options available from a seemingly endless list of brands – and if you don’t like what they offer, you can even make your own. Off the shelf or home cooked, each option offers pros and cons that can be beneficial or potentially detrimental to your pup—and maybe your lifestyle. So, while your dog may not always be picky about what they eat, you should know as much as you can about what you’re dishing out for your pet.

If you’ve opted for full control of your dog’s diet by cooking up nutritious scratch options at home, terrific. Before the early-to-mid 20th century and the introduction of nutritional regulation for the commercial pet food industry, preparing the dog’s meals at home was standard practice. And home prep is still an option—if you have the time for it. For most pet owners, it’s hard enough to find time to roll out home-cooked fare for themselves let alone their four-legged friends.

That’s why most dog owners head to their local pet retailer to enjoy the convenience of commercial and see what’s on the shelf. Once there, though, how can owners determine which products are best for their dog? Let’s take a look.

How Commercial Food is Regulated

If you’re considering commercial foods for your dog, start with this question: is it safe and nutritious? Thankfully, with the benefit of two regulatory agencies that monitor nutritional and safety guidelines, those answers can be found by looking at the label.

The first agency, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), determines which nutrients all animal food should contain. Keeping an eye peeled for AAFCO compliance and an accompanying nutritional adequacy statement is a great place to start.

This statement will often communicate standards specific to dogs at various stages of life with language like “provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs” or “puppies.” Using tried-andtrue methods, AAFCO applies high standards to ensure nutritional value is present and appropriate for all types of dogs.

Nicole Kenedy

The second regulatory agency, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), measures the quality of the food’s ingredients—but to what degree? While the FDA examines whether the ingredients are safe and serve an appropriate function, the ingredients do not require “premarket approval” and the review is capped at a certain limit. That’s where the pet parent takes over to ensure they’re purchasing a quality product from a reputable source.

Why Reading the Label is Key

Now that you’ve narrowed your list, it’s time to dive into the details.

When looking at labels remember that named animal protein should be primary.

Look for whole proteins like chicken, beef, or fish listed among the top ingredients. Down

Meet Raylan

Long-Term Benefits of a Healthy Diet

After examining labels, manufacturers, and production practices it should be pretty clear: monitoring the quality of your dog’s food can be critical to their long-term health.

Just as the right ingredients can produce a healthier dog, the wrong ones can potentially lead to recurring issues, vet visits, and more.

Still, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach – your dog is unique, and they should have a personalized nutrition plan that fits their individual needs.

Yes, there are a lot of choices, and making the right one requires a fair amount of homework. But taking the time to choose the right food can help you provide a long, happy, and healthy life for your precious pup. Consult with your local retail specialist or veterinarian for advice.

Author: Nicole Kenedy, a Store Manager at DOGPerfect. Nicole has over 10 years of experience in the pet industry and is an expert when it comes to helping pet parents choose the right food for their dog. DOGPerfect is a local, independently owned pet retail store with locations in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and University Park. Learn more at www.dogperfect.com

An example AAFCO Statement to look for on packaging labels.

Paw Pals

the ingredient list look for whole grains, vegetables, critical nutrients, and natural preservatives. And pay attention to other meaningful marks of quality, like certified organic products and products made in the U.S. As in food labels for people, the ingredients are listed in order of their quantity in the mixture.

Another thing to look for on labels is the questionable practice of listing supposed quality items too far down the ingredient list.

For example: a company could put items like kale, blueberries and other yummy sounding health foods on the label. These items, if too far down (10th or lower) are in such miniscule quantity that they have no material health benefit to the food.

Also, you should avoid products with generic animal protein or fat sources, like “meat” or “byproducts”. Be on the lookout for split ingredients (where two or more similar foods appear (e.g. rice, brewers rice, rice bran) added sweeteners, and artificial flavors.

Finally, products originating in China or other poorly regulated countries are a big no-no. Many unregulated providers use ingredients sourced through rendering plants with nightmarish facilities with little to no regard for the contents of their products.

Raylan is a Jack Terrier & Schnauzer mix.

He was named after the character Raylan Givens of the show Justified. Raylan’s namesake was a U.S. Marshall and who was always tangling with a cast of characters.

Although Raylan has a big time chill going on right now, he’s fiercely protective of and loyal to his family. Some of his favorite activities are running with mom, snacking with dad, listening to the girls play the piano, and of course, singing along.

Paw Pals is a new monthly department that will feature a special dog. If you are interested in featuring your “Paw Pal” in a future issue, please send picture and short description of your special “pal” to info@27statemedia.com.

COVID-19 ALERT! Our #1 Priority

Sanitation and Hygiene WAKE & SHAKE CUTS for Active Lifestyles

Before

Choose In Salon OR In Home Visit

After

Gray? CAMOFLAGE stops the need for monthly color touchups

Before

After

Frizzy Hair? HAIR BOTOX - Wear your hair smooth or wavy

a French inspired salon experience Only 4 miles from Siesta Key on HWY 41 Find us on Yelp and Facebook voila'@voilahairsarasota.com

941.475.8585 (no texts)

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

Join the Perfect Club!

Guaranteed Lowest Price on Pet Food! ,

This is the BEST VALUE you’ll find anywhere, including online and big box retailers.

PERFECT CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE: • 15% or More Off all Dog and Cat Food • Unlimited Use of Self-Serve Dog Wash • Unlimited Nail Trims • One Private Training Lesson • 20% Off Grooming • And Much More, Including Savings on Treats, Cat Litter, and Toys!

Join today, SAVE today!

Save more than $500 per year! Your annual price stays the same, regardless of how many four-legged family members you have.

$99

per year

THE GREEN AT LAKEWOOD RANCH 11605 SR 70 East Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941.803.4496

THE SQUARE AT UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER 5419 University Parkway University Park, FL 34201 941.803.4464

THE LANDINGS OF SARASOTA 4820 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 941.564.0094

Learn more at dogperfect.com/perfectclub

9

10

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

BUY-SELL-TRADE-REPAIR

Spring Ahead with new youthful glow Before Treatment

After 6 treatments

Pre-Owned Mac® Apple Products iPhone® and iPad® Mobile Digital Device Repair Apple Product Upgrades - Memory, Batteries, More

Laptops

Wearables

Desktops

Accessories

WE TAKE THE RISK OUT OF BUYING A RENEWED APPLE PRODUCT! 941-922-7790 • experimax.com 4858 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida

We’ve Moved!

We have outgrown our Siesta Key home of 37 years!

Come visit our new retail shop & expanded wedding & event design studio!

Are you tired of looking in the mirror thinking to yourself - a little nip here, maybe a tuck there would really help shave some years off of your face? But besides the cost, you think of the amount of time needed to recuperate a nd wonder how much pain is involved, so your logical self dismisses the thought. Instead, you buy more lotions and potions hoping to wake up to a younger you. But, it hasn’t worked yet, has it?

Spa Experience Siesta Key offers a realistic alternative solution that’s safe and non-invasive called micro-current facial sculpting. It’s the new non-surgical “facelift” that requires no downtime or recovery time, has no risk of complications, is far less expensive, and above all gives instant results.

How it works The gentle and 100% non-invasive treatment works in synergy with your body’s natural energy system.

It sends safe, painless impulses to the muscles in the face to relax muscles that are overly tightened and strengthen those that are

e x c l u s i ve l y. T h e combi ned u s e of Pevonia Botanica’s ultimate anti-aging products allow for maximum product penetration.

Spa Experience Siesta Key is conveniently located at L’Core Paris Spa in the Westfield Siesta Key Mall, 3501 South Tamiami Trail.

After 12 treatments

SAME QUALITY - BETTER VALUE

Mobile Devices

www.siestasand.net

Rebecca Leisure

★★★★

Connie is definitely worth driving over the bridge for.

under-worked with very low levels of electrical current.

During this luxurious and relaxing treatment, jaw lines get tighter, eyebrows lift and crow’s feet are reduced. You will see the results after just one treatment however multiple treatments are recommended for the most visible and longer lasting results.

Results Aesthetic benefits of the micro current machine includes softer sk i n, i mproved ci rcu lat ion, enhanced muscle function and balance, reduced appearance of fine lines, and enhanced natural production of collagen and elastin.

It is particularly effective in treating acne as it destroys the bacteria, while encouraging the healing process without harming the skin.

Owner, Connie Lewis uses the Pevonia Botanica product line

Spa Experience Siesta Key is open 6-days-a-week year round, and 7-days-a-week in season.

Appointments may be made online at www.spaexperiencesiestakey. com or by calling 941-350-7495.

Connie Lewis, BS, LMT, Aesthetician and owner established Massage Experience, Siesta Key in June of 1996. She attended the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, Massachusetts in January of 1994, then moved to Sarasota, Florida to continue her career in massage therapy. “My personal philosophy when massaging a client for the first time, or the hundred and first time, is to let my hands ‘tell me what to do.’ After so many years of practice I have a sixth sense about pressure and what the client may need from me during the session. I listen with my hands and utilize my years of practice and personal experience to give the client the perfect session for them.”

(MA Lic#17596 /MM Lic#40045) (Advertorial)

New location

6119A Clark Center Ave. • Sarasota , Fl 34238 941.349.9212 Flowersbyfudgie.com

Your Go-To Store on the Island Morton’s Siesta Market is your one-stop shop for easy island living. We offer a large selection of staple groceries, beer and wine, as well as fresh produce, meats and seafood.

In keeping with our Morton’s tradition, we also carry a delicious array of prepared foods, perfect for take-out, picnics, parties and more.

Please stop in and say hello!

205 Canal Road, Siesta Key • 941-349-1474 • MortonsMarket.com

VISIT OUR SIESTA VILLAGE LIQUORS JUST NEXT DOOR!

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

Siesta Beach meets criteria for national healthy beach campaign

BREAKFAST and LUNCH

SERVED ALL DAY

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Sarasota, the County Commission had implemented a no smoking policy on county beaches. The judge’s ruling referenced a July 21, 2011 opinion issued by the Florida Attorney General’s Office in a case involving the St. Johns River Water Management District. That opinion said, “The Regulation of smoking is preempted to the state pursuant to [the Clean Indoor Air Act], and the … District may not adopt a policy prohibiting smoking or tobacco use that is broader than the terms of [that statute].”

Leatherman first made Siesta Key No. 1 in the United States in 2011, before the judge rendered her decision. In recent years, legislative initiatives to reverse the state law failed.

On March 5, though, SKA President Luckner reminded members of the nonprofit about bills filed this year to allow local governments the right to prohibit smoking in public parks, such as Siesta Public Beach.

State Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota introduced one of the bills. However, a different version — Senate Bill (SB) 630 — ended up winning final approval on the required third reading, on March 5, with 39 “Yeas” and only one “Nay,” that bill’s webpage notes.

Introduced by Republican state Sen. Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne, that bill allows municipalities and counties to impose restrictions on smoking “within the boundaries of any public parks they own …” It would take effect on July 1.

Gruters’ bill — SB 670 — would have prohibited smoking within the boundaries of state parks, as well. It last saw action on Jan. 14, when it was read for the first time in the Senate Community Affairs Committee, its webpage says. Mayfield had been a co-introducer of that bill.

On March 5, the webpage for Mayfield’s bill — SB 630 — also noted that it was “in messages” for the Florida House, meaning it was en route to that chamber for action.

The legislative session was scheduled to end on March 13. As of the deadline for this issue of Siesta Sand, no action on the bill had been taken in the Florida House.

Siesta Key es tD

“Best Restaurant for Steak”

All Natural

and

and Veggie

Lunch

in Flo rida

Menu

Smoothies

941-552-6485 Open 7 Days A Week ~ 7 AM - 3 PM

www.ToastedMangoCafe.com

Captain Curt’s has everything you need to feel Totally Refreshed!

CRAFT BEERS Get That Old Florida Flavor!

CAPTAIN CURT’S CAPTAIn

WORLD FAMOUS CLAM CHOWDER 1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key FL 34242

941-349-3885 é Ca s a l

HAPPY HOUR 4-6 PM Daily

941.349.9822 theblasecafe.com

We Offer Dine in, Takeout, and Complete Catering Services

and

Bloody Marys

Just S. of Stickney Pt. Road

& Martini Bar

for the past five consecutive years

Beer, Wine

6621 Midnight Pass Road

fé

Alpine Steakhouse is proud to be the recipient of the Sarasota Magazine Readers’ Choice award for

ine r

MSN Food and Drink Jan. 2015

B

and public health will be designated as an Environmentally Friendly Beach.”

Leatherman further noted that he releases his Top 10 Beaches List each Memorial Day weekend. (He has included Siesta Key twice in the No. 1 spot.) His announcements garner more than 600 million media impressions, he added, referring to the number of people who see articles or TV news segments about them, for examples. “The no-smoking campaign and Environmentally Friendly Beach designation will be promoted on the Press Release with all beaches listed on my website www.DrBeach.org,” Leatherman wrote Luckner.

“Florida is known as the Sunshine State but also boasts of the largest number of top-quality swimming beaches in the nation with 825 miles of sandy beaches,” Leatherman added. “Most of the 100 million visitors to Florida each year visit a beach while in the State, and we need to show them that we are working to maintain the environmental quality of our most important recreational resource.”

Siesta Key is one of 13 Florida b e ac h e s on t h e N H BC l i st, Leatherman’s website notes. It joins three others in Sarasota County: Lido, Caspersen Beach near Venice, and Venice Beach.

Only 14 states have beaches that have been recognized by the revived campaign, the webpage shows.

Florida has the largest number, followed by Hawaii, with 12.

State beach smoking prohibition effort continues During remarks to the SKA audience i n December 2016, Leatherman stressed his disdain for people who leave cigarette butts on beaches. “To me, one of the most disgusting things to do” is to sit down on a beach, he said, and put his hands into the sand, only to touch a cigarette butt. Worse, he added, is watching a small child whose parents’ attention has been diverted pick up butts and eat them, as children “eat everything.”

Prior to a Sarasota County judge’s ruling in December 2012, in a case involving the City of

Full

Breakfast Fresh Fruit

B

Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman — known worldwide as “Dr. Beach” for his annual lists of the best U.S. beaches — has reactivated his National Healthy Beaches Campaign, Catherine Luckner, pre side nt of t he Sie st a Key Association (SKA), announced to members during their regular meeting on March 5.

As its website explains, the campaign “Is the first scientificallybased beach certification program administered by a professional group of coastal experts.” The Nat ion a l Hea lt hy Beaches Campaign (NHBC) “is dedicated to creating a balance between the recreational use of our nation’s beaches and maintaining the environmental quality and safety of these prized resources.”

In a Feb. 29 email to Luckner, wh ich she shared with SNL, Leatherman explained that his focus with the new campaign is “on promoting no-smoking beaches in Florida. Cigarette butts are the number one type of litter on beaches, and our beautiful Florida beaches are not ashtrays.”

In a Ma rch 10, 2019 g uest column in the Tallahassee Democrat, Leatherman wrote, “Some cities, including Miami Beach, rely on sweepers to clean [their] shorelines every morning. But cigarette butts often fall through their screens. It’s a problem for people, sea turtles and any other living things on the beach.

The chemicals and toxic heavy metals in cigarette butts degrade so slowly they hang around for up to 15 years. To make things worse, these butts sometimes end up in the mouths of our children or animals.”

He added, “Beachgoers want clean water and sand. In fact, those are the two most important factors in my annual rating of America’s Best Beaches. I actually give extra credit to beaches that don’t allow smoking.”

In his Feb. 29 email to Luckner, Leatherman pointed out that each beach community that desires “to be smokeless and will promote this cause with the State Legislature in order to promote beach cleanliness

11

27th State Media LLC

UT

KO C E CH

2ND R U O

AT ON I T A LOC

E LVI L I 0H 192

3.14 PI

W

EET R T S

RO IST B É L AS B –

HAPPY HOUR 2 - 7 pm Daily

Awesome pizza, wings & bartenders!

941.346.1188 siestapi.com TWO GREAT ONELOCATION! LOCATION! TWO GREATPLACES PLACES ONE 5263 SiestaKey Key 5263Ocean Ocean Blvd. || Siesta

12

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

SarasotaKeyCasuals.com

Key Casuals S S K on outh iesta

a tradition for 33 years, featuring ladies fashions, shoes, handbags, jewelry, men’s shirts and children’s clothing.

Open at 8 AM with coffee, Der Dutchman donuts & your favorite ice cream!

A fun place to shop!

The original founders of Big Olaf, Dennis & Nancy Yoder, are back!

South Siesta Key, 6575 Midnight Pass Rd.

941.554.4632 • SiestaCreamery.com

ey

941.349.6625 Crescent Plaza

6625 Midnight Pass Rd.

Sarasota, FL 34242

Ask us about our many “products with a purpose!”

Siesta Key’s Oldest Eatery

“The Surfer” Voted Best Sandwich year after year! ee h Katie L t i w ” d e k ” on “Stac I Ever Ate Featured g n i !

Th t s plicated “The Be u d r e v e itated, n Often im annasdelis.com Siesta Key - Southbridge Mall 6535 Midnight Pass Road 941.349.4888

University Park 8207 Tourist Center Drive 941.893.5908

We offer a fun and affordable assortment of unique coastal themed souvenirs, gifts, home decor, artwork by local artists, t-shirts, hats, beach gear and more!

941.346.0226

6635 Midnight Pass Rd.

Big Water Fish Market

Retail Market, Restaurant & Takeout 6641 Midnight Pass Rd, Crescent Plaza

6639 Midnight Pass Rd, Crescent Plaza Siesta Key’s Best Fish Market

Monday - Grouper BLT Tuesday - Tuna Tuesdays Wednesday - Surf & Turf Thursday - Lobster Roll Friday - Pompano Cubano Open for Lunch, Dinner & Takeout

www.bigwaterfishmarket.com Restaurant 941-554-8101

Fresh, Local, Wild Caught, Sustainable Seafood HOME OF YOUR LOCAL STONE CRABS · Grouper · Snapper · Mahi · Irish Salmon · Hog Fish · Triple Tail · Shrimp · Scallops · Steaks · Produce

www.siestasand.net

Code Enforcement process again the focus of County Commission concerns

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Call it a “Code Enforcement sidebar.”

A r e c e nt S a r a s o t a C ou nt y C om m i s s io n p ubl i c h e a r i n g regarding a proposal to allow occupied recreational vehicles (RVs) on residential lots in the Pinecraft community veered off course at one point. As a result of a question from Commissioner Nancy Detert, the focus turned to how the county handles violations of land use regulations.

By the time the board members had turned back onto the hearing path, Commissioner Alan Maio had made it clear to Matt Osterhoudt, director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, that, as far as Maio is concerned, Code Enforcement Division staff should not just wait for complaints to act.

Osterhoudt has responsibility for Code Enforcement under his department’s umbrella.

“Do we really have the staff to go around and check [for illegal electrical and sewer hookups]?” Detert asked county Planner Steve Kirk during the Feb. 25 Pinecraft RV hearing.

“Osterhoudt then stepped to the podium. “We are reactive,” based on county policy, he explained of Code Enforcement’s handling of violations.

Officers are assigned to zones in the county, he added, and each officer “is dealing with a large amount of cases.”

Those cases, he continued, are driven by complaints.

The county’s Unified Development Code (UDC) contains a multitude of regulations, Osterhoudt pointed out. (The UDC combines land development and zoning laws for the county.)

“When you talk about us being r eac t ive,” De ter t r e sponded, that indicated to her that Code Enforcement just sends officers out to investigate complaints.

Continued on page 19

Big Water Fish Market & Restaurant

By Reservation Only THE FOLLOWING MENU ITEM IS FOR RESERVATIONS ONLY Parties of 10-15 with 24 hour Notice

4 COURSE DINNER 1 Salad, your choice of 1 Appetizer, Pick your Big Water Fish Market Steampot, Key Lime Pie 6641 Midnight Pass Road Crescent Plaza, South Siesta Key TO BOOK RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL:

941-203-5984

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

13

The “NEW”

R

esort

is proud to announce...

Renovations are complete and our #1 Beach is better than ever!

Don’t miss out on the BEST deals offered in YEARS!!

Come make memories and see what you’ve been missing!

Plan a staycation and fall back in love S T AY S I E S T A A N D S U P P O R T O U R B E A C H E S

If you love our beaches, don’t delay — share your favorite social media photos of the day!

833-Siesta Key • SiestaKeyFlorida.com 5311 Ocean Boulevard • Siesta Key, Florida

FLORIDA RESIDENT DISCOUNT

with the purchase of a night stay; This coupon is valid for a “FREE NIGHT” on us!

Additional nights may be purchased.

CUT HERE

Certificate covers room rate & taxes only. $39 resort fee per day not included.

Redeemable through 12/18/2020; blackout dates include February - April, weekends and holidays. One offer per person. Advance reservations required between 2/1/20-4/30/20.

Use promo code BOGO. Rate Reflects 50% off per night.

Upon availability, paid upgrades and additional days are accepted.

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

BOAT RENTALS Fishing Charters www.CBsOutfitters.com • Since 1959

941.349.4400

Open 7 Days 7am-6pm

1249 Stickney Point Road, just over the Stickney Point Bridge

“Voted BEST Parasail Company”

ParasailSiesta.com

941-346-8200

$

99

Wishes Everyone a Happy Easter

1902 Stickney Point Rd. - Next to Peltz & Carrabbas

OPEN DAILY

941.706.4041

www.siestasand.net

Don’t “Poo-llute.”

Pick-up and be an eco-friendly dog owner

By Jane Bartnett Dogs may be man’s best friend.

Yet, despite a l l of t he m a ny wonderful things that dogs can do, one thing they can’t do is clean up after themselves. Pet owners who ignore this task are creating a growing, expensive and significant environmental problem for our waterways. Getting the word out to Siesta Key pet owners, residents and visitors alike, is an educational message about which Sheila Scolaro, Science and Outreach Coordinator, Sarasota County Stormwater, is passionate.

Most dog owners are not aware of the extent of the impact that dog waste that has been left behind has on our waterways. This is especially so in a densely populated area such as Siesta Key. “It doesn’t take a great amount of effort,” Scolaro says, “but cleaning up after Fido makes a tremendous difference in curbing dog waste “poo-llution.” Negligent dog owners are “polluting the water that seeps into our waterways and impacting our drinking water, wildli fe, beaches, a nd nat ive seafood,” she said. “Nitrogen is bad: it fuels algae blooms which block light from reaching the seagrasses which are an important habitat for juvenile and adult fish species.”

The message is clear: Pick up after your pooch every time, and save Siesta Key’s waters.

“Pet waste has the same kind of bacteria and parasites and viruses that human waste does,” said the City of Sarasota’s Sustainability Manager, Stevie Freeman-Montes, in an interview with SNN TV news. The fecal coliform bacteria commonly found in human and animal waste can pollute water and make it unsafe. “Human waste gets treated at our waste water treatment facility and it gets kind of dealt with.

Pet waste is often just left on yards and throughout our community.

When it rains it washes straight into our waterways,” Freeman-Montes stated.

A University of South Florida study found that “as storm water flows over our lawns, driveways and parking lots, it picks up fertilizers, oil, chemicals, grass clippings, litter, pet waste, and anything else in its path. The storm sewer system transports these pollutants to local

problem. Once the damage is done, it requires expensive, complex actions and policies. If every dog owner picks up, every single time, our water quality will benefit immediately.”

So, what’s a responsible pet owner to do? Here are a few easy steps that will make life better for everyone with two and four legs:

The average dog poops

½ POUND

every day ... multiplied by 49,708 dogs in Sarasota County, that’s

12 TONS.

It’s estimated that 40% of people don’t pick it up ... leaving

5 TONS of POO-LUTION

that can wash into our waterways every day.

1

Dog poop can transmit

[

rms s kwo hoo dworm s n rou eworm s p a t orm w g rin

PARASITES: Parasite eggs can survive for years in your yard.

2 Dog poop spreads

harmful BACTERIA:

[

½ pound of poop contains 5 billion fecal coliform bacteria.

7

N

7

N

en

og Nitr

Nitrogen

x

14

7

N

7

N

n

ge

Nitro

Nitroge n

3 Dog poop releases NITROGEN:

[

N

7

x

Nitroge n

Nitrogen feeds algae blooms, which deplete light and oxygen from our waters — killing seagrass and fish.

DO: • Pick up after your pooch on a walk, in your own yard, and even in your neighborhood every time!

•U se bio-degradable bags.

•T ie the bag closed.

• Don’t leave home without a bag for your pet.

• Try clipping the bags to your dog’s leash.

•A lways carry extra bags.

• Throw all dog and cat pet waste in the garbage.

• Hire a pet-waste clean-up service if you are not able to pick up in your own yard.

• T he Ta mpa Bay Est ua r y’s “Pooches for the Planet, Scoop the Poop” website at https:// www.tbep.org/how_you_can_ help-pooches_for_the_planet:_ scoop_that_poop!.html has educational information for adults and children.

• Use free bio-degradable bags provided at you r favor ite Sarasota dog-walking parks and places.

• Visit Sarasota County’s Parks and Natural Resources Site for a list of “Paw Parks” and “Dog Friendly Parks” at: www.scgov. net.

• Remember - by law, dog owners are required to pick up after their four-legged friends.

lakes and streams, and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Polluted storm water can also affect drinking water sources.”

According to environmental reports, 60% of all dog owners do pick up. An alarming 40% do not.

John Ryan, of the Sarasota County Public Works Department, reports that according to the State of Florida, there are several waterways that are bacteria-impaired. “A more direct NEVER impact would be on our ability to eat • Put dog poop in a compost or locally harvested shellfish, which is yard waste bin - it is dangerous very limited right now,” he told the and unhealthy to do so.

Siesta Sand.

• Flush the waste down the toilet.

T he good news is t hat pet Cat waste may be especially owners can have a major impact in dangerous to flush. improving and safeguarding our • Let pet waste sit on the ground. waters. “When you’re out on a walk It can take a year or more to with your pup, or even in your own decompose and will enter and backyard, pick up that pet waste and pollute waterways. reduce poo-llution,” says Scolaro.

•U se pet waste as fertilizer.

“Doing so will immediately reduce Pick up after your pet. Help to the nitrogen pollution in storm water runoff. This is an easy, cost-effective save our waters. Clean water benefits solution to a growing and expensive people and pets alike!

Weekly Specials

Monday: 3 Course Prix-Fixe Menu $22.00 per Person Opa! Wednesday: $7 Saganaki Opa! Thursday: 50% Bottled Wines (some exclusions apply) Sunday: Family Style Menu $29.99 per person all you can eat family style

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am - 9pm

4956 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 The Landings Shopping Center www.apolloniagrill.com

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

15

Follow up to why Sarasota County Government and WNCA’s continued “do-nothing approach” is the biggest threat to our beaches, beach access,water-quality, and NOW HEALTH CONCERNS. “Just in my opinion”

By Michael Holderness The threats “to our quality of life” are larger than ever!!

Problems and Solutions on Siesta Key, Sarasota County, Florida THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES TO COMBAT THE IN TENSE SOCIAL GATHERING NEED… This is not a deficiency of the Sheriff’s, as the County will only fund what they own! The county is inciting extreme OFF-KEY intensity to private beaches. No county staff mitigate huge crowds of social gatherers. When local young people flock to the beach, they are mixing in with the already large spring break crowds.

This illegal intensity is NOT healthy for anyone or any critter!

SK has enough open spaces for all of our residences and legal accommodations… The growth of OUTSIDE intensity has created lots of problems on Siesta Key. As crowds gather on uncontrolled private beaches fed by county access points; officials hold NO CONTROL to mitigate this nor will/can county staff them. Why? Because 90% of our beaches are PRIVATELY owned.

Reminder: Siesta Key is an 8-mile long, crescent-shaped barrier island off the southwest coast of the U.S. located between Roberts Bay and

Aerial photos showing change in beach access from 2004-2008.

average of 40 percent. However, the county invites the public to use 100% of the beach.

High Number of Beach Access Points: A total of 13 “Public Beach Access” signs are on Siesta Key, all of which lead to unfunded,

request Sarasota Count y Government do the following immediately to correct the problems and improve the lives of their residents that elected them: Implement shor t-ter m permitting to match existing o r d i n a n ce t o s t o p i l le g a l r e n t a l s . * T H I S P R AC T IC E DOES NOT VIOLATE STATE REQUIREMENTS, but only makes it harder to market illegal rentals.

Increase Purchase of Private Land for Public Beach and Beach Access *By purchasing land for public use, parks and recs rules can be implemented which means our sheriff has the mechanism to properly police our beaches.

Illegal intensity is NOT healthy for anyone or any critter!

the Gulf of Mexico. According to TripAdvisor, it is #1 Travelers’ Choice™ Top Beaches in the United States; and the AARP’s # 1 Beach – Best Beaches in the World 2015; a USA Today Reader’s Choice Top Beaches in Florida; and #1 Beach – Dr. Beach in 2011 and 2017.

Siesta Key is the most visited tourist destination in Sarasota. Per Visit Sarasota 53% of ALL guests visiting Sarasota County visit Siesta Key (and not including the estimated 1,000+ illegal rentals, VRBO & Airbnb). Siesta Key is Sarasota’s NUMBER ONE driver (known as a donor community) and collects 1/3 of the county taxes.

Limited Public Beach Areas: In terms of the public beach area, Sarasota County is one of the lowest- ranking coastal counties in Florida. With less than 20 percent of their sandy beaches in public ownership, the county falls significantly short of the statewide

privately-owned land that is still used as a public access right-of-way (ROW). Siesta Key is considered very high for the number of access points.

L i m i t e d C o u n t y- O w n e d Public Beaches: Among the 8-mile long shoreline, the county only owns the Siesta Key Public Beach that was purchased in 1954 and Turtle Beach. The number of public beaches owned by the county is very low. The county has a failure rating, therefore, raising MANY health and safety concerns.

Despite the unmanaged intensity problems on Siesta Key, Sarasota County has done little to solve the problems and improve the lives of the Siesta Key residents.

Illegal rentals and unmanaged access points to private lands are CAUSING UNWANTED POPULATION DENSITY. Therefore, Siesta Key residents

Sarasota County shall increase public service activities on the key, such as increased number of deputies on the beach to better protect public safety and welfare (in 2006 SK had 8 deputies and 1 SGT; in 2020 only 4 deputies and 1 SGT); increase number of county staff to stop illegal rentals; increase funding for village beautification to attract more tourists, and; stop funding to Lido Key. Demand County Commission to intervene – We DEMAND the county as the authority to force the city to abandon the permanent dredge of Cut B and NONE of Cut C.” We demand the county commission to have the county attorney immediately request the city apply for a dredging permit (Marine Park) and a groin permit (South Lido Park, the conservational area). The project isn’t even consistent with the wishes of DOAH. Cut C is Big Pass and the shoal (crucial estuary for fish and manatees). The seagrasses in this location filter our nearly impaired waters and would be wiped out from turbidity if dredging went here, not to mention the wave height increases to Lido, Downtown and Siesta Key. Cut D3 is a ¼ mile off Lido but still under the same laws as Cut C, i.e. County jurisdiction.

*D3 allows them to continue with their environmental over-stepping scheme but doesn’t destroy Cut C’s crucial fish estuary. As far as county oversight goes, Cut D3 is equally the same as Cut C. D3 isn’t right but not our fight.

Positives: I do know D3 holds 2MM cubic yards of beautiful white sand that’s cheap to harvest for private beach… We need to make everyone aware that city directs USACOE where to go… Meaning if they want D3 and remove Cut C, Cut B and Southern Groin out of project…

Barwin needs to give ACOE that marching order.

Did the math

1. Following a previous City dredging project (using a 1993 IMP and no EIS); Lido was left unstable and lost 460,000 cubic yards of sand to avulsion.

2. Between then and now: In 2019 the city has harvested 186,000 cubic yards from New Pass for Lido.

3. O nly 260,000.00 cubic yards needed to make the man-made private beach on Lido “whole”, and this volume is confirmed by the City’s partner USACOE, Jan 2019!

The additional 500,000 cbyds, is to extend private beach out 200’. This increase (additional 500,000 cubic yards) was added merely to increase the project size; increases allowed EA to show FONSI i.e. AVOIDED DOING AN EIS (Environmental Impact Study).

This is certainly pushing our water-quality to ‘impaired status’ FOR ALL OF US. Impaired = Not safe to live, swim, boat or fish on the water.

Suggested addition to our UDC code

How can anyone argue that “outstanding FL waters” and “Estuaries designated nation significance” shouldn’t have specific protections and governance?

Apparently, Sarasota County Environmental can! No offense to county zoning in any way, but

Howard is NOT regulating our current laws, rules, ordinances, regulations, and statues accordingly.

Would it be a political nightmare if not added?

Draft: *PROHIBITION of any impact that would reduce the quality of life or water within or downdrift of inlet waterways, bays or lagoon that has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Water and any area of an Estuary designated of Nation Significance.

Prohibits any actions including but not limited to all new dredge, channeling and fill activities which inhibit or destroy the growth of seagrass beds; Prohibits any adverse impact in these designated areas on the benthic environment which supports all marine life including Manatee, dolphin, fish species, scallops, shrimp, clams, shellfish life forms, invertebrates e.g., (conch, starfish, squid, etc. within said areas. The grass flats and flats must be preserved for breeding and spawning grounds for fish; Not create any alteration of water flow, accumulation of debris or creation of water pockets for incubation of red tide. Seagrasses, water quality and submerged land in affected areas can NOT be altered in any way and must be preserved and maintained in its natural state’. Uses of these areas shall: Protect the right of the public to the use, environmentally sound and determined to be in the public interest to enjoy such as fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boating; for recreational purposes.

These areas are protected and to be Governed as such. “OPEN Spaces and RECREATIONAL USE ONLY” - NO EXCEPTIONS. Key Stakeholders who live here depend on it! Marine Life, Public Beach Users (residents and visitors), Sarasota County, Siesta Key Residents, Private Beachfront Landowners on Lido, and NOT the County Government and city manager, “RED TIDE Tom” Barwin’s special interests. *Donations are important and appreciated, visit skedf.org This space is paid for by Siesta Key resident and business owner, Mike Holderness.

16

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Deputy talks crime and parking lot incident Duri ng t he Ma rch 5 Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputy Zack Lewis stood in for Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the substation on the Key, pointing out that he has been working on the island about 18 months.

For February, Lewis said, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 309 calls for service, about 15% of which were Part I crimes — those the FBI classifies as the most serious.

“Three of those were vehicle b u r g l a r i e s ,” L e w i s n o t e d .

Reprising the advice he said he knew Smith has given them regularly, Lewis added, “Please lock your vehicles.”

Of the th ree burglaries, he continued, two involved vehicles that had been left unlocked. In the third case, he said, “[The perpetrators] attempted to gain entry to the vehicle but were unable to do so” because it was locked.

Lewis then noted that spring break season was get t i ng underway. “This week, especially,

to t h i n k t hey a re safe on the island in general, and even on the beach, amid 3,000 other people, he added. T hey will leave wallets, jewelry, purses and t able t s on towel s and wander off, he continued.

Siesta may appear to be a safe place, he added, but, “u n f o r t u n a t e l y, that’s not the case.”

People should lock up their valuables, he said.

“Especially th is time of year,” Lewis Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputy Zack Lewis continued, a lot of young people will we really started to see an increase walk through neighborhoods. in traffic, foot traffic, bicycle traffic. …What that brings are a “The harder we make it for them to commit the crimes, the less lot of crimes of opportunity.”

Almost 60% of the Sheriff’s likely they are to commit them.”

When residents leave home — Office cases on Siesta in February even for a quick trip to Morton’s were crimes related to people leaving valuables unattended, Siesta Market, for example, Lewis Lewis pointed out. Visitors tend said — they should lock their

CUISINE OF NORTHEAST THAILAND

• • • • • •

Gluten Free

No MSG Vegan Vegetarian Seafood Curries Craft Beer

utt T Taakkee--doou aannd gg C Caatteerriinn

5758 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

941.923.1232

* Authentic Italian food from Italian chefs

Next to Phillippi Estate Park.

Serving Siesta Key and Sarasota

www.IsanThaiRestaurant.com

* Fresh housemade pasta

BEST HAPPY HOUR IN TOWN Daily 4pm - 6:30pm

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

doors. “[Visitors] will try door handles. Most of the time, they’re not going to break a window, break a lock, to get in your house.”

As for the Part 1 crimes in February: Lewis noted that three bicycles were stolen, and an item was discovered to be missing from a docked boat.

Additionally, two shoplifting cases were reported, he said, adding that he believed both of those involved juveniles. One of the items stolen was a candy bar, Lewis said.

Siesta Beach Parking Incident

A good reason not to try to hold beach parking lot spaces D u r i n g t h e M a r c h 5 SK A meeting, Deput y Zack Lewis offered numerous details about one of the Pa rt 1 crimes the S h e r i f f ’s O f f i c e h a nd le d i n February. It involved an incident in the Siesta Public Beach parking lot.

A person tried to hold a space for one party by standing in it, and another vehicle — whose occupants felt the space was theirs — “didn’t appreciate that,” Lewis said. “It turned into a big mess …”

“Don’t hold a parking spot, ple a s e,” h e u r g e d t h e SK A members.

Sig nage i n t he pa rk i ng lot warns people against such action, he pointed out, as the County Commission several years ago approved a regulation prohibiting the practice.

At the request of SNL, Kaitlyn Perez, community affairs director for the Sheriff’s Office, provided a copy of the report on the incident Lewis had described.

The document says that the aggravated battery was reported at 12:37 p.m. on Feb. 18. “The parking lot in the specific area” has a one-way aisle with posted signs saying, “DO NOT ENTER,” the report emphasized. Additionally, the report continued, “a painted white arrow on the pavement” faces west to direct traffic flow.

T he of f ice r w r o t e t h at he responded to the south end of the parking lot in regard to a disturbance involving several people. When he arrived, all the parties still were in the area. The suspect’s vehicle, he noted — a 2007 Scion — was parked facing west in the parking lot, “traveling the correct path.”

T h e v i c t i m , wh o wa s n o t named, told the officer he was trying to park when a woman later identified as Yazmin Torres jumped in front of his vehicle. “(It should be noted [that the victim] was traveling East in the parking lot against the correct flow of traffic),” the report said.

The victim then told the officer that after he exited his vehicle and was standing between the car door and the driver’s seat, he asked Torres to leave the parking space. As he was talking with her, the report continued, a vehicle driven by Yazmarie MonterroTorres “came around the corner and hit his vehicle door pinning him between the door and the vehicle frame.”

The vict im said “Yazmarie Monterro-Torres exited her car as he was pinned and started to yell at him,” the report noted.

The victim added that Yazmarie Monterro-Torres finally “got back in her vehicle and backed up and freed him from the door.”

The victim told the officer he could not breathe while he was

trapped “and felt bruising in his chest.” The report said he refused medical attention at first, but the officer “talked him into being evaluated” by Sarasota County lifeguards.

After lifeguards arrived, they took the victim from the scene, the report noted.

The suspect — Monterro-Torres, 25, of Lebanon, Penn. — told the officer that her mother, Yazmin Torres “was standing in an empty parking spot at Siesta Key Beach in an attempt to find parking due to large crowds. Yazmarie Monterro-Torres stated when she arrived at the parking spot she observed [the victim] attempting to park in the parking spot,” with her mother still standing in it, the report continued. “Yazmarie Monterro-Torres stated there were words exchanged between her and [the victim] but she never hit him with her vehicle.”

The report did note that the wi fe of the vict im, who was in the front passenger seat of the victim’s car, told the officer that she and her husband were waiting for a vehicle to pull out of the parking space that was the focus of the incident. After that vehicle left, the report noted, the wife of the victim said he was attempting to pull into the space when Ya zm i n Tor res moved in front of his vehicle to try to prevent him from doing so.

After Monterro-Torres’ vehicle pin ned the man between the ca r a nd t he door, t he report continued, the victim’s wife said she told Monterro-Torres to back up and let the man out. Then the wife told the officer that after Monter ro -Tor res moved, “a n argument started between both parties.”

Yazmin Torres told the officer that she was trying to save the space for her daughter. Torres added that she had called her daughter to let her know she had found a space. She was in the middle of that telephone conversation, the report said, when the victim drove down the aisle “and attempted to ‘throw’ his car at her and pull into the parking space.”

Tor r e s l ate r wa s c ite d for blocking a parking space, the report noted, citing the county ordinance.

Du r i ng a n exa m i n at ion at the scene, the officer wrote, he “noticed a dent and scratch marks to … the driver’s side door” of the victim’s vehicle. “The top of the door also appeared to be damaged,” the report said.

The victim “was pushing the driver’s door outward when he was trapped,” the report added.

The deputy saw “a slight dirt mark” on the victim’s shirt, which the victim “claimed was from his vehicle’s door,” the report said.

When the officer examined Monterro-Torres’ vehicle, the r e p or t cont i nue d, he fou nd multiple scratch marks on it.

“Photographs of both vehicles were taken, along with photos of [the victim’s] claimed injuries, and a photo of the general area of the parking lot,” the report noted.

“There were no independent witnesses or security cameras in the area.”

The victim originally told the officer “he did not want to press charges and signed a waiver of prosecution,” the report said.

Later, he changed his mind, the report added.

Instead of arresting MonterroContinued on next page

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

17

Sheriff’s Report The victim reported his 2005 Key West Center Console Boat was boarded by an unknown person(s) and several boating accessories were stolen. A bilge line was cut and caused the boat to partially sink, resulting in $2,000 worth of repairs.

2/23/20 Bicycle Theft The victim and his wife locked two bicycles in the bike rack near the tennis courts of their complex.

The next morning, they discovered that the bikes had been stolen. One lock was cut with a bolt cutter, and the other lock was missing. The case remains open.

2/26/20 Public Beach Theft

3/1- Battery with Injuries A fight broke out between two men in the restroom of a bar. The victim declined medical treatment and waived prosecution for the crime of battery.

3/9/20 Theft Various tools were reported missing from a utility trailer at a construction site. There were no signs of forced entry. The complainant reported that his son had walked off of the job the previous day and has not returned. The complainant thinks this may be related to the stolen items. The case remains open.

An unattended bag was stolen from the beach. A driver license

Febuary Crime Stats Torres, the report pointed out, the officer completed a non-arrest form and forwarded that to the State Attorney’s Office for review.

Before the Siesta Public Beach Park renovations were completed in February 2017 — with even more parking spaces provided — fights over spots happened on a more frequent basis, as related by Sheriff’s Office personnel to this reporter. In fact, one reason the design of the park improvements m o ve d t h e S h e r i f f ’s O f f i c e substation to the top floor of the Public Safety Building — with its expansive view of the surroundings — was to enable officers to keep a better eye on the lot. The hope was that they could prevent disputes from escalating into fights.

Nighttime noise in the beach parking lot still an issue During a recent Siesta Key A s s o c i at ion (SK A) me e t i ng , r e side nt s compl a i ne d ab out young people gathering in the parking lot at Siesta Public Beach late at night, playing loud music that was disruptive to nearby residents. An audience member aired a similar complaint during the March 5 meeting.

The woman this month, who said she was a member of the

Island Chatter

three were structure fires; and one involved a lightning strike that did not result in a fire.

The month with the largest number of EMS calls was March, with 145; followed by May, with 113.

May had the highest count of fire calls: 35, followed by March 2019, with 33.

As for the mean response time: The slide said that was 6.01 minutes from receipt of a call by Dispatch to the time of arrival on the scene. The mean time it took for a unit to reach the scene after it left Fire Station 13 was 5.05 minutes, the slide noted.

Regnier noted that a common question he receives from Siesta residents is how the department handles traffic congestion on the island if equipment has to come over from the mainland to respond to a call. EMS and fire units have direct communication with the bridge tenders, he said, so personnel can ensure the drawbridges are down.

Additionally, he pointed out, the department uses a system called

3/12/20 Theft

and various items were in the bag.

Case is under investigation.

Wednesday - Saturday

The victim left two bicycles at the end of his driveway overnight.

The next morning, when he noticed one was missing, he notified the property manager. Surveillance showed the perpetrator enter the property at 6 am, select a bike, and ride away with it south on Midnight Pass Road. The case remains open.

3/14/20 Stolen Car

A r e nted Ford E c ho Spor t was parked on a condominium complex unlocked with the keys inside of it. The renter discovered t he veh icle m issi ng t he next morning. It was parked in front of another car in a driveway. The perpetrator drove the car across into an adjacent lawn. The case remains open.

NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST 8 AM - 11 AM LUNCH & DINNER SERVED 11 AM - 9 PM

Continued from previous page

board at Our House at the Beach, told Deputy Zack Lewis that loud noise emanates from the parking lot “at all hours of the night.”

Apparently, when deputies do arrive on the scene, she continued, the noise stops. Then — after they leave — it ramps back up.

Ou r House at t he Beach is located at 1001 Beach Road, across from the parking lot.

“T h e noi s e i s s o b ad t h at some people cannot rent their apa r t me nt s or st ay i n t he i r apartments,” she added.

“We ’ve a c t u a l l y r e c e i ve d several calls on that,” Lewis replied. In fact, he continued, Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the Siesta substation, had met with a complainant who had called in a number of times.

Unfortunately, Lewis explained, the incidents occur only at night, when the Sheriff’s Office typically has just one patrol deputy on duty. It would be “irresponsible for [that deputy] to stay in one place,” Lewis pointed out, while other calls for service are coming in.

Officers have found that mostly you ng p e ople g at he r i n t he parking lot, “blasting the radio” in their vehicles, Lewis noted.

“We enforce the ‘No Vehicles in

Continued from page 5

Opticom, which allows personnel approach i ng i ntersect ion s to make certain the traffic signals are green. “We can take control of [an] intersection,” he said, as a unit approaches with its lights and siren operating.

That system is in place at most county intersections, he Regnier added; implementation took place close to seven years ago.

Bird stewards sought on Siesta once again

Holley Short, project manager for Florida Audubon’s Bird Monitoring & Stewardsh ip Prog ram, has a n nou nced t hat t ra i n i ng for volunteers on Siesta Key will be conducted from 9 to 11 a.m. on March 28.

“Some of you may be returning,” she wrote, “but there are a few new volunteers coming in. For those new volunteers, welcome!”

Then Short explained, “Bird stewards are one of the most Continued on page 22

the Parking Lot after Midnight’” regulation that the county has set, he added. “We’re trying to do everything we can.”

He promised to pass along the woman’s complaint to the deputies who patrol at night.

Additionally, “Coming into spring break, we’re going to have more bodies out here,” he noted of the Sheriff’s Office staffing level for the height of tourist season.

He hoped that the extra personnel would be able to calm down that situation at the beach parking lot, he said.

Citizen Jack

HOME WATCH SERVICE,LLC Accredited, Bonded, Insured & Certified CITIZEN JACK’S GOT YOUR BACK!

Jim Farley

941.350.3610 info@citizenjackhws.com

329627-1

2/23/20 Vehicle Burglary

citizenjackhws.com

217 AVENIDA MADERA SIESTA KEY

941-552-8826

www.THESEAFOODJOINT.com

CATERING AVAILABLE

MARKET & GRILL

TURTLE’S

On little Sarasota Bay CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

8875 Midnight Pass Rd. • Siesta Key • 941-346-2207 Serving Lunch & Dinner From 11:30 AM

3-5 PM H APPY HOUR HAPPY HOUR 3-5 PM

• Discounted Well Drinks

• Discounted Well Drinks

Sunday Brunch

DAILY

DAILY • Bar Appetizers $2.99 -$3.99

• Bar Appetizers From

$

2.99

10.99 • 10AM-3PM

$

Incl. complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa

EArly Bird dinnEr SPEciAlS 11.99 - $15.99 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM

$

Completemenu menu at at turtlerestaurant.com turtlerestaurant.com Complete

Outside Dining Offered Bay Front

18

Siesta Sand

Off Key

APRIL 2020

By Bob Frederickson

Trading Tulips for TP

Perhaps you remember hearing stories of the great tulip bulb mania that swept the Dutch Republic in the early 17th century. Prices for then newly cultivated bulbs went parabolic after becoming the most fashionable must-have commodity of the day...until – suddenly, and all at once – they weren’t. The mania ended as quickly as it had begun when everyone simultaneously realizing what should have been apparent all along: that they were just, well, tulip bulbs. The price quickly collapsed, and they became the more or less reasonably priced commodity they have remained ever since.

Well today we’re in the midst of a not he r m a n i a, t h i s one fanned by fears over the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. The object of our unreasonable cravings this time around? Toilet paper.

Despite absolutely no preventive or therapeutic relation to the virus outbreak that inspired this paper chase, folks just can’t seem to get enough of the stuff.

My wife and sister-in-law were

941.312.0665

From One Mania to the Next…

in full hunter/gatherer mode last week tracking down the stuff, exchanging texts throughout the hunt. After finally bagging their prey independently of one another they both celebrated with a trip to the wine aisle for what has become the second most prized quarry of the demographic they dutifully represent: Chardonnay.

‘No’ Means ‘Yes’ on this Dance Card...

A Salt Lake City mother is challenging a middle school policy after her daughter was told she couldn’t say ‘no’ when a boy asked her to dance at a school sponsored Valentine’s Day dance last month.

The school’s principal intervened after the boy was politely denied a dance by the object of his desire.

The principal reportedly told the girl to accept the boy’s invitation as he guided the couple out onto the dance floor.

My first reaction was what about the whole ‘me-too’ movement? I mean, what happened to ‘no means no?’

The girl’s mother objected to the

CRAFT PIZZA BEER AND COCKTAILS

HEALTHY OPTIONS: SUPER FRESH SALADS AND SANDWICHES VEGAN/VEGETARIAN GLUTEN FREE LOW CARB/KETO OPTIONS

Team Trivia 2nd and 4th Thursday starting at 7:30pm COUPON

principal’s intervention, saying kids need to learn how to handle rejection.

I agree. Are we really doing kids a favor when we shelter them from the reality that – as Mick Jagger sang – “you can’t always get what you want?”

Besides, who would want to dance with a girl who’s just not into you? As Jagger’s compatriot William Shakespeare wrote long ago “The only love worth having is love freely given.”

Think of the excitement when after facing multiple rejections that boy finally asks a girl to dance and she smiles broadly back at him and excitedly replies ‘Sure!’

Who would sensibly want to deny him that great reward?

Road Hazard Ahead...

I suffered a case of sticker shock recently when I had to shell out over $800 for a new set of tires for the wife’s five-year-old grocery grabber. But I recovered a bit when I came across a write-up on the new Bugatti Veyron that included this stunning revelation: a set of tires for this model comes in at just north

DAILY SPECIALS: Mondays $5 small Cheese Pizzas all day, $10 large Cheese Pizza from 4-10pm •

Tuesdays • .99 Kids Meals, Educators receive 20% off regularly priced food Wednesdays • 1/2 off all Wine and Sangria, buy one get one 1/2 off Hoagies and Sandwiches Thursdays • $5 off Large Pies and $5 off Local Pitchers Fridays • Buy one Calzone get one 1/2 off Saturday and Sunday Brunch 11-3 • Build your own Mimosa Bar, Individual and Bottomless options

Pick up and delivery available through MellowMushroom.com

$5 off $25

The BEST Happy Hour on South Trail everyday from 3-6 and 8-Close

Expires 4/30/20

6727 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231

We were voted BEST PIZZA

by Sarasota Magazine in 2019

941•388•7504 Hours: Monday - Saturday • 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Easy access from The Key!

To enter from the back. Take a left on Gulf Gate Dr and a quick right after Longhorn, enter through the back of the parking lot.

Explore Our 4.49 Daily Specials

$

Great Sandwiches

Since 1994

Sandwich Construction Specialists

www.siestasand.net

“The Landings Plaza”

4982 S. Tamiami Trail

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

of $38,000.

Yikes!

I wonder if that includes mounting and balancing? But I guess if you have to ask, you probably don’t need to know...

Fake Math...

Former NBC Evening News anchor Brian Williams – now playing for the farm team at MSNBC – and New York Times Editorial Board member Mara Gay may want to brush up on their math skills. While discussing the halfa-billion dollars Mike Bloomberg spent on his failed attempt to ‘buy’ the Democratic presidential nomination, the two reflexively agreed with the conclusion made in a tweet Gay had brought to Williams’ attention that expressed the sentiment that with the money Bloomberg spent he could have instead given every American a million dollars. “$500 million on ads...US population ...327 million...When I read it tonight on social media it kinda all became clear,” said Williams, as Gay nodded in agreement.

Clear? Apparently not!

We’re not talking calculus or even algebra here, but rather basic 3rd grade arithmetic. The actual ‘division’ results in a figure of $1.37 for every American, proving what an ever growing number of Americans have independently concluded: that a frighteningly large number of college educated ‘professional’ journalists, well... they simply ignore the most basic tenet of journalism: checking facts before airing them in public.

And oh, another thing. They’re just not that smart.

Creator of Landmark Local Statue Passes at Age 89

Sculptor J. Seward Johnson, Jr., scion of Robert Wood Johnson, cofounder of the Johnson & Johnson company, has passed away at his home in Key West at the age of 89. His work has been displayed around the world, but he is best known locally as the creator of what is simultaneously seen as the most beloved and reviled piece of artwork in the entire county, namely the Unconditional Surrender statue which rises 26 feet above Gulfstream Park along Bayfront Drive.

The statue originally came to town as part of the 2005 Season of Sculpture exhibit along Sarasota’s bayfront. It was an immediate hit with the public at large even as its presence initiated a rolling case of the vapors among the selfappointed arbiters of ‘fine’ art in the enlightened upper echelons of Sarasota’s ‘serious’ arts community.

The statue recreates the famous Alfred Eisenstaedt photo of a sailor planting an exuberant kiss on a nurse on VJ day.

The Herald Tribune quoted Virginia Hoffman – long serving head of the Sarasota Public Arts Committee – as saying the statue is ‘just horrible.”

“It has been getting all of the attention of an escapee from the Macy’s Day Parade (sic), which is what it looks like,” she exclaimed.

Still, folks flocked to the statue even after the exhibit it arrived with was long gone. A steady stream of locals and visitors alike often pose for selfies at its base, recreating the pose it captures. In 2010 it was purchased by a local veteran for $500,000 and donated to the city.

More cases of the vapors broke out among the local arts literati, many of

whom now tried to move it to some isolated part of the city or county where it would not mar the views from their downtown high-rises... perhaps to a remote slough in the least traveled portion of Myakka River State Park east of Bee Island?

It survived those efforts aimed at permanent exile. Then in 2012, the statue was damaged when it was struck by a vehicle that jumped the curb along Bayfront Drive. Intentionally some may have thought? Probably not. But detractor’s hopes were buoyed when a crane arrived one morning shortly after the ‘mishap’ and lifted the damaged statue onto a flatbed truck to transport it back to Seward’s foundry in Hamilton Township, New Jersey for repairs. But alas, it returned to its former place of prominence a few months later, none the worse for wear, where it remains, delighting most and horrifying the few who will forever see it as an affront to their (and Sarasota’s) feigned sophistication.

BTW: Near Seward’s foundry in New Jersey, there is a fascinating 42 acre park named Grounds for Sculpture that includes many other examples of his hyper-realistic style. Most will thoroughly enjoy themselves as they wander through the displays, many of which capture ordinary looking folks in familiar poses that may initially catch viewers off guard, as they momentarily wonder if they are in fact statues or folks like themselves, just there to take in the sights.

Others though, like certain Sarasotan’s triggered by the mere mention of Seward’s name, will clearly want to stay away...

This Too Shall Pass...

As this is written, the full extent of the Coronavirus pandemic gripping the U.S. is unknown. But that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable that the worst predictions you hear in the media will come to pass. The media has changed in significant ways in the years since many of our most dire national emergencies played out. While there have always been outlets that have traded on fear to increase circulation, or viewership, today’s media has in many cases refined this approach to an art form to increase ‘clickthroughs’ and ‘redirects’ to their various partner platforms.

Even in times of crisis, especially in election years, politicians can get things terribly wrong when they put politics before all else.

Case in point: There was a swine flu panic in January of 1976 that had Americans feeling as anxious back then as many of us do today. Here is a quote from a RealClearPolitics story that ran in 2008 when early on in the Obama administration another swine flu epidemic was gripping the nation.

“In January 1976, 19-year old U.S. Army Private David Lewis, stationed at Fort Dix, joined his platoon on a 50-mile hike through the New Jersey snow. Lewis didn’t have to go; he was suffering from flu and had been confined to his quarters by his unit’s medical officer. Thirteen miles into the hike, Lewis collapsed and died a short time later of pneumonia caused by influenza.

Because Lewis was young, generally healthy and should not have succumbed to the common flu, his death set off a cascade of uncertainty that confused the scientists, panicked the government and eventually embittered a public made distrustful of authority by Vietnam and Watergate.

Doctors from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) tested Private Lewis’s blood and determined Continued on page 37

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement responds to a complaint within 48 hours, Osterhoudt told Detert. However, officers do take initiative on their own, he added. Still, he acknowledged, “There’s only so many cases that we can get to with each officer.”

“I’ve noticed that the county has moved more and more to [being] reactive,” Commissioner Maio pointed out. “I think you think that is [the commission’s] preference,” he told Osterhoudt. “It’s not my preference.”

“When I drive around,” Maio continued, “I can fill up sheet after sheet after sheet with what I see going on [that violates county regulations].”

“I don’t think we can exactly say we’re reactive,” Maio continued.

Adding in the work of the county’s Building Department staff, Maio said, he believes 50% of cases are begun on a reactive basis and 50% are opened by officers responding to illegal situations they have seen.

Then Maio asked Osterhoudt whether the Code Enforcement officers are paid out of the county’s General Fund, which is made up largely of property tax revenue.

(County finance staff has explained to the commissioners that the General Fund is the most constrained of all county funds in terms of expenditures, because it is pays for the operations of numerous county departments, as well as those of many of the constitutional officers, such as the sheriff and the supervisor of elections.)

The county officers who handle Florida Building Code violations are paid out of a fund comprising building permit revenue, Osterhoudt responded. The Code Enforcement Division officers are paid out of the General Fund, he added.

Then Maio said he recalled a request staff made to the commission several years ago for more Code Enforcement officers. Did the funding end for their employment, Maio asked.

Osterhoudt replied that he was not aware of any request for more Code Enforcement officers “in the recent past.”

(He was named director of Planning and Development in March 2017.)

However, he continued, a request was made for more technical staff.

“We’ve had the same [level] of officers for a number of years.”

Handling violations

Next, Maio pointed out that he had “gotten lectures” from the Office of the County Attorney and Planning and Development Services staff about

APRIL 2020 Continued from page 12

the need to allow people time to rectify “simple stuff” after receiving a Notice of Violation (NOV) from Code Enforcement. He was told that, usually, in such situations, the timeline is 10 to 15 days, Maio added.

However, Maio continued, “I thought we [approved] additional, larger fines [for repeat offenders].”

The first step for a Code Enforcement officer who documents a violation is to issue a Notice of Violation, Osterhoudt confirmed. Then the person is allowed “reasonable time to address the violation. … Typically, that’s 30 days.”

A faster timeline could be imposed, Osterhoudt pointed out, if the violation representedapublicwelfareorsafetyissue.

If compliance with the code is not achieved in the allowed time, he continued, then the Code Enforcement officer will issue an Affidavit of Violation. If the person responsible for the violation still fails to rectify the problem, Osterhoudt added, the Code Enforcement officer will present the case details to a Special Magistrate, who can impose financial penalties.

If compliance is achieved then, but the violation recurs, Osterhoudt noted, staff can streamline the process by going back to the Special Magistrate immediately.

He then pointed out that the County Commission last year approved a Code Enforcement fine up to $5,000 in cases involving “irreparable and irreversible injury,” if the officer and staff can demonstrate the circumstances meet the necessary standard.

“Compliance is good,” Maio said.

“I’ve got that. But I have seen instances in my 36 years here [in the county] where people comply in the 30 days and then … three to four days later, they’re back at it.”

I n Feb r u a r y 2019, Cou nt y Administrator Jonathan Lewis took questions about Code Enforcement issues during a meeting of the Siesta Key Condominium Council.

Under the guidelines of Florida law, Lewis said, “You have to be able to establish a violation and due process,” and anyone who violates the county code has to be given the opportunity to “cure” the situation.

Code Enforcement complaints on Siesta Key have multiplied in recent years because of issues related to illegal, short-term vacation rentals in single-family residential areas. The problems have been a focus of Siesta Key Association (SKA) directors, who have been working with county staff to try to find solutions.

19

Seafood lovers, it’s good and fresh Yelp review: In just one word: EXCELLENT! My husband and I were going to Walt’s Seafood for lunch, but it was closed for vacation, that was the best thing that could had happened. I looked for another place in Yelp and found this gem! This restaurant is small, family owned with a great menu and excellent service. Our server Nancy was very friendly, the owner Bob came to our table to get our feedback. Food was fresh and unbelievable tasty! We ordered the Bradens Island soup, this crab soup comes with a mini crab cake in the center like an island full of flavor. We also tried the Lobster bisque, it was delicious. As the entries we had Fish and Shrimp Tacos topped with Pico de Gallo and the Crab cakes, they were 100% crab no fillings. We closed it up with a Key Lime Pie, yum!! It’s homemade fresh every day . Everything was fresh and delicious.

Living in Florida, you expect to find fresh seafood no matter where you dine. If you are a local seafood lover, you probably have a mental list of go-to restaurants which serve the freshest seafood. Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill needs to be added to it.

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

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

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

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

Here’s what more patrons are saying about the restaurant online:: This is the BEST place for the freshest seafood in Sarasota and I am not a fish eater. I had the Shrimp Skewer, my daughter had the crab cakes, my husband had the grouper sandwich, son-in-law had the Amberjack. All of the dinners were so fresh and tasty and I would go back many times again. Changed my mind about fish… DELICIOUS DELICIOUS! The freshest and most delicious food mixed with the nicest people! This place is a true gem! Make sure you make reservations, especially on lobster roll night, because this intimate restaurant can get packed! I can’t recommend this place enough!! The boil and crab cakes are my favorite backups when the lobster rolls are sold out!!

This was our first visit and we enjoyed our meal tremendously! I found them in an online list of places serving stone crab, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have noticed their location in a small strip mall. We ordered the Stone Crab as an appetizer and they were fresh and sweet. We also had a red snapper wrap and grilled grouper sandwich. Everything was delicious, and our server Maria was very friendly and attentive. Their fish market looks appetizing too. We’ll be back!

See more reviews online at Yelp and Trip Advisor.

Special orders and reservations accepted.

Fresh Catch Fish Market and Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 941-413-7133, freshcatchfishmarketandgrill.com (Advertorial)

“20 MINUTES TO A STRONGER YOU”™ ITS’ TIME TO EVOLVE!

27th State Media LLC

PRIVATE PERSONAL 1-ON-1 RESISTANCE TRAINING

20 MINUTES 2X A WEEK IMPROVE YOUR: STRENGTH, ENERGY, BONE DENSITY, OVERALL HEALTH & WELLNESS

NO MORE WEIGHTS NO MORE CARDIO NO MORE WASTED TIME

ONLY REAL RESULTS!!!

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY USE PROMO CODE qhsand

Find us on Facebook at QuickHIT-Southwest FL

ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • CARROLLWOOD

(727) 803-0199

QUICKHITFIT.COM

20

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Business Ambassadors By Jane Bartnett

Jimmy Bonner, Sherwin-Williams Property Sales Representative, and Natalie Gutwein, Sales Associate, The Judie Berger Team, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, are two of 12 Chamber members who serve as Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Business Ambassadors. The successful “B to B” program is now entering it’s second year.

Chamber’s Business Ambassador Program, they have been able to refer numerous clients and share information about local small businesses on the Key with each other and other Chamber members. “The more you connect with other business owners, the more you engage, the more benefit you will see in your own business,” Bonner said. “So many small business interests are linked to each other,” Manney said. “When Natalie sells a house, the new owners may ask about painting their walls. Can she recommend a good painter? Natalie refers her clients to Jimmy and they soon become his client. As they work together, Jimmy is asked if he can

The Shops of Siesta Village Plaza Best Burgers & Tacos on the Island!

5110 Ocean Blvd. • Siesta Key Village 941-487-8116 • islandhousetapandgrill.com

recommend a good local designer, landscape company or carpenter? With assurance, he is able to recommend a nd refer a fel low Cha mber member.”

“It ’s a s m a l l t ow n ,” s ay s Gut wein. “We live and work here, and we are raising our families here. We want Siesta Key to be a great place for everyone.

As Ambassadors, we are the ones to say - These are my go-to people for business services!”

According to the Chamber, there are approximately 8,000 people who call Siesta Key home on a year-round basis. The population swells by 20,000 more residents during “season” yet, no matter

what time of the year it is, Manney says, “Siesta Key is a small town and that’s what makes it such a special place.”

A s Me m b e r s h ip D i r e c t o r, it is Manney’s job to support the 400 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members. Business categories on the Key are: “a mix of all things tourist, that includes proper t y ma nagement a nd resorts; hospitality related small businesses made up of restaurants, water sports businesses, fishing and charter operations; realtors and real estate related businesses; service businesses that include plu mbi ng , H VAC, pa i nt i ng , carpentry, etc., and finally a small group of professionals in the

1 2 4 5

OCEAN BLVD.

As the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce wraps up the first year of their successful Business Ambassadors Program, NancyJo M a n n e y, t h e C h a m b e r ’s Membership Director is looking ahead. Our goal, she said, “is to get all Chamber members involved in Chamber activities.”

That’s where t he Chamber Busi ness Ambassadors come in. Jimmy Bonner, a property sales representative for SherwinWilliams, and Natalie Gutwein, a Sales Associate with The Judie Berger Team, a Premier Sotheby’s International Realty firm, are two of the Chamber’s 12 Business Ambassadors. “These individuals have really helped to make this program take off like wildfire duri ng the past 12 months,” according to Manney. “These people are our cheerleaders. They are helping us interest other business owners in increasing t h e i r i nvolve m e nt, a n d it ’s working,” Manney said with a smile.

Bot h Bon ner a nd Gut wei n told the Siesta Sand that their work as Ambassadors this past year has been professionally rewarding and good for their small businesses.

“Wo rk i n g w it h Na n c y-Jo, Ji m my a nd ot her Siesta Key Chamber members has been a great advantage for me,” said Gut wei n. “Buildi ng a small business network on the Key has been a factor in increasing my business,” Bonner reported, as he and Gutwein spoke of their continuing role and interest in serving as “B to B” Siesta Key Ambassadors.

In the short time that the two have been affiliated with the

3

6 7 8 9 11 13 14 10 12

medical and legal community.”

This past Fall, the Business Ambassadors program held a “Kickoff to Season” event, and conducted a survey of business owners to learn what they would like to see the Chamber do for them. As the season winds down, planning is underway to develop more member-focused events and to encourage members to support and benefit from participating in the Chamber’s big annual events such as The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival, the Siesta Key Light Up the Village & Holiday Parade, the Siesta Key Chamber Easter Egg Hunt, and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Community Fireworks, on the 4th of July.

Work is also underway on a new Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce website that will launch in the Fall of 2020. “As small business owners on Siesta Key, we’re all linked together,” Manney stated. “We’re looking forward to hosting two networking events monthly. That will include a breakfast or lunch or an after hours business card exchange on the third Thursday of the month at different sponsoring locations. Business members like being able to communicate with fellow members, and that’s why the Ambassadors are such an important touch point.”

To learn more about membership in the Siesta Key Chamber of Com merce a nd t he Busi ness Ambassador program, contact Nancy-Jo Manney, Membership Director, at 941-349-3800, or at: nancy-jo@siestakeychamber.com.

1. Café Gabbiano 2. Island House 3. Edward Jones 4. Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5. Tropical Sands Accommodations 6. Lilly Pulitzer

ask us about wine delivery!

Come join us for Happy Hour

Serving Sarasota Sarasota Since Since 1958 Serving 1958

every day 3-6pm Buy one glass of wine, get the 2nd 1/2 off & $ 3 Domestic Beers 5138c Ocean Blvd.

Siesta Village 941-552-9105 • SiestaKeyWineBar.com

Live music Wed.-Sat. nites!

Chill out with Sarasota’s best ICE CREAM!

Siesta Key Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce Proudly Serving Locals and Tourists since 1959!

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

941-349-3800 5114 Ocean Blvd.

SiestaKeyChamber.com

7. Davidsons Drugs 8. Comfort Shoes 9. Sarasota Medical Center 10. Open for Rent 11. Open for Rent 12. The Local Bean 13. Siesta Key Wine Bar 14. Local Chill Ice Cream

Home & Office

Delivery

LocalChill.com

5140 Ocean Blvd.

Siesta Key Village 941-388-7672

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

HOROSCOPE PAGE 38

VILLAGE MAP pgs 22 - 23

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 24 GULF GATE SHOPS pgs 30 - 31

941.312.0665

Flag Ceremony I n Ho n o r o f C ap t a i n Ralph Styles (a Decorated WWII Submarine Captain i n t he Pac i f ic T heater), who bega n t h is Tribute Ceremony about 30 years ago— Each Sunset Our Community comes together w it h new f r ie nd s f rom around the world, now at Siesta Key Public Access #2, at 10 Beach Road as we now say: “We lcome to Pat r io t s Pier at Sunset Point! We thank you for joining our nightly Tribute to honor the sacrifices of our Military and Service Personnel in protecting our Country and Our Freedoms! We are the land of the Free because of the Brave!”

This Month we would like

to Honor two very special Patriots for their Dedication and Service who join and help lead us in our nightly Ceremonies carrying on these Traditions!

Annie Styles the daughter of Captain Ralph St yles is a lways ready to lead us in the Pledge and help fold t h e F l ag a nd a l s o provide us with ideas from h e r m e mor ie s o f p r ior Ceremonies!

A nd w it h 30 yea rs of service--Army Veteran Ray Paugh, a snowbird from Ohio who during his time here serves us nightly as Honor Guard to recruit helpers to assist him to fold the Flag!

We Salute them for their Dedication and Service!

Don’t Waste Your Island Time Crossing Bridges!

We are conveniently located just a few steps from Crescent Beach and minutes away from anywhere on the Key.

• Full Service Grocery • Party Trays • Boar’s Head Meat & Cheese • Domestic & Micro Beers • Fabulous Deli Sandwiches Made to Order! • Largest Wine Selection on Siesta Key • Farm Fresh Produce • Beach Supplies • Butcher Shop • Take Out Meals

We Deliver to Siesta Key!

941-312-0472 fax: 941-312-9588

www.crescentbeachgrocery.com

21

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

22

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

SEEN in the Sand...

This per iodic column will profile a visitor or resident of Siesta Key and will explore the things that make Siesta Key a great place to live and visit. Our first profile is of Addy, age 12, of Pennsylvania.

Addy, 12-year old visitor from PA

Addy says that she t ravels to Siesta Key with her parents,

brother, sister, and extended family every year.

What is your favorite thing to do on the island?

I love going to the beach and building sandcastles with my brother and sister. I also really enjoy going on the boat and fishing with my dad and grandpa. We usually use shrimp as bait and catch fish such as trout, pompano, grouper, redfish, and Jack Crevalle.

Sometimes we even catch sharks!

pool or the ocean? The ocean, because I can see fish and seashells.

Do you play any sports?

Yes, I play basketball. I wish there were more courts where I could practice on Siesta Key. What is one food that you think is gross?

Sausage!

Favorite animal?

Probably a bear.

D o y o u h a v e a fa v o r i t e memory from Siesta Key?

W h at i s on e thing you’re scared of?

Sometimes, my mom and dad and I get up early in the morning and take a walk along the beach.

I like to look for seashells, and sometimes I find really big ones!

I’m very scared of heights, but I want to try parasailing some time!

What is your favorite place to eat on the island? I love to get ice cream in the village!

Would you rather swim in the

Favorite class in school?

My favorite subject is English because I love reading.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Read books and do puzzles!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Right now I really want to be an architect.

W hat books would you recommend to other kids for beach reading?

I’d recommend the Hunger Games series.

Favorite thing to do on the weekend?

Watch tv and read.

What is one food you love?

Ice Cream! My favorite flavor is coffee oreo. It’s amazing!

If you could t ravel to a fictional place for a day, where would you go?

I would love to spend the day at Hogwarts because I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, and it’s just the coolest place ever.

www.siestasand.net

Island Chatter

Continued from page 17

important aspects for shorebird and seabird conservation. Stewards are stationed at sites where nests and/ or chicks are located and provide education to the public through brochures, signage, and visuals through a scope,” she wrote.

During a training session, she continued, Audubon Florida staff members, along with their partners i n env i ron ment a l prote ct ion, “provide information about the shorebird species, the stewardship site, and how to successfully educate [the public].”

The March 28 session on Siesta will cover all of those topics Short added, “so attendance is strongly encouraged,” even for those who have been stewards in the past. “We always provide new and updated information each year, and you will also have the chance to meet new stewards and seasonal Audubon Continued on next page

WH

Map B #42

SIESTA KEY

5250 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242

SOUTH SIESTA

1250 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242 N IC E N D O F VE IS LA

ST ARMANDS CIRCLE

325 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

Map D #62

Coffee Shop • Tea Room • 5138

ISLAND OF VENICE

300 W. Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285

Anna Maria Island

107 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL. 34217

ACCOMMODATIONS Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa.......... Map-A #38A ATM / BANKS PNC ATM.........................................Map-C #61 Sun Trust Bank & ATM..................... Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blaśe Café...................................... Map-A #38 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 My Village Pub......................... Map-C #53/54 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub-Baja Grill......................... Map-D #59 COFFEE SHOPS Bean Coffeehouse......................... Map-D #62 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company......Map-B #31 DRUGSTORE Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65

DAIQUIRIDECK.COM

FASHION & ACCESSORIES Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack..... Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.............................. Map-B #30 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More..... Map-D #64 Foxy Lady Fashions...................... Map-A #40 Ganja Mon Vibes.............................. Map-D #9 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions.........Map-B #44 Island Boutique............................... Map-B #50 Island Style.......................................Map-C #53 Lilly Pulitzer.................................. Map-D #66 Sea Shanty........................................Map-C #24 Siesta T’s........................................... Map-B #30 The Sandal Factory......................... Map-B #46 GAS STATION Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar.................................. Map-C #28 Gilligan’s Gift Store......................... Map-B #32 Island Trader....................................Map-C #51 Sea Pleasures & Treasures..............Map-C #29 Siesta Key Outfitters.....................Map-D #12

Barber Scott Reich

Formerly of the Village Barber

Gulf Gate Barbershop Making Gulf Gate look good since the ‘60’s Bringing over 70 years of life lessons and local knowledge to your haircut (trust us, we know alllll about what you did last summer).

It’s not just a haircut, it’s life. We know all about it.

Let’s laugh, have a beer, and talk nonsense….that’s free.

Haircut? That’s gonna cost you…$15, if we like you, $25 if you’re a P.I.T.A. “Best Local Barbers” 20 years in the running Kyle and Scott “to the second power”

6575 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231 941-809-9028 Walk-ins Welcome

HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ............ Map-D #10 Siesta Healing................................... Map-D #9 Siesta Key Fitness..........................Map-B #73 ICE CREAM/SWEETS Big Olaf Creamery...........................Map-C #52 Curly Cream Ice Cream................... Map-D #9 Local Chill Ice Cream................... Map-D #60 Made in Rome Organic Gelato......Map-C #53 Meany’s Mini Donuts.....................Map-C #24 Stefano Versace Gelato...................Map-C #50 SubZero Ice Cream/Yogurt.......... Map-D #16 The Fudge Factory..........................Map-A #36 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company......Map-B #31 JEWELRY Created Gems..................................Map-C #51 Mount -N- Repair Jewelers............. Map-D #9 LIQUOR STORES / FINE WINES Gabbiano’s Wine Club................. Map-D #70 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 Siesta Key Wine Bar..................... Map-C #61 Siesta Village Liquors.................. Map-C #26 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Island Chatter staff,” she wrote in the email. “You will also be able to pick up your new volunteer shirt, if you have been a steward before.”

The Siesta t rain ing will be conducted at the Sea Turtle Pavilion at Siesta Public Beach, near the north section of the parking lot and the north snack bar, Short pointed out. For the first half of the session, she added, “we will go over the training.” The second half will feature “a short beach walk” to explore nesting sites “and see potential nesting species.

Those interested in attending t he event a re asked to cl ick on t he Facebook event page: ht t p s://w w w.faceb o ok .com/ events/2357737297664663/.

During the March 5 Siesta Key Association meeting, SKA Director Robert Luckner noted that he has heard reports that three pairs of snowy plovers have been seen “courting” on the beach this nesting season. He was hopeful, he added,

HAT BETTER WAY TO START YOUR DAY IN PARADISE! • Organic and Fair Trade Coffees & Teas • Cold Pressed Coffee • Organic Smoothies • Light Lunch (Sandwiches) • Breakfast Sandwiches, Bagels & Lox • Homemade Pastries

941-260-6400

Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

APRIL 2020

Sarasota Beach Closings

Continued from previous page

that Siesta this year would see success with chicks “fledging,” which means they can fly and survive on their own.

Over the past couple of years, Luckner noted, no chicks had survived. The culprits were natural predators and human interference, he said.

Snowy plovers have been in decline in the state over the past years.

Just for Laughs An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut.

The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest’s breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He says, “Sir, have you been drinking?”

“Just water,” says the priest.

The trooper says, “Then why do I smell wine?”

The priest looks at the bottle and says, “Good Lord! He’s done it again!”

COVID 19 sign at Siesta Key Beach.

• SEGWAY RENTALS • PADDLEBOARDS • SCOOTER CARS • GOLF CARTS • BIKES • SCOOTERS • BEACH GEAR Map B #34

23

27th State Media LLC

Continued from page 18

wonderful place to visit,” Lewis poi nted out.

“We don’t want to change that.”

“We will work on securing those facilities,” he added of t h e c o u n t y ’s beaches. County sta ff has been collaborat i ng w i t h t h e Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office a nd ot her law enforcement agencies, he noted, as well as mu n icipal leaders i n t he county.

Pa rk i ng lot s at the beaches will be closed, he pointed out,

and signage will be set up on U.S. 41 to alert residents and visitors headed to Siesta Key that they will not be allowed in the beach parking lot.

Further, “We will continue to have staff out there to keep an eye on things,” Lewis added.

Rich Collins, director of the count y’s Emergency Services Depa rt ment, poi nted out, “Lifeguards continue to work diligently to keep our beachgoers safe.” They will remain on the b e a c h e s a f t e r t h e S at u r d ay closure, he said, working from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., “specifically to … keep people safe” and to tell anyone who shows up on the beaches that they are closed.

Collins also noted that large signs will be erected at Siesta, Lido and Turtle beaches, as well as the multiple beach accesses on Siesta Key, to alert people to the situation.

Arizona White

5255 Ocean Blvd • Siesta Key Village www.robinhoodrentals.net

Mayari Mocha

941-554-4242

Arizona Sun

MAILING - SHIPPING US Post Office................................. Map-D #65 MARKETS/FOOD STORES Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 Morton’s Siesta Market................ Map-C #25 MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage................ Map-B #35 The Spa at Calle Minorga............... Map-E #74

Gizeh Cherry Map D #64

MEDICAL - DENTAL Sarasota Medical Center................ Map-D #63 Siesta Dental..................................... Map-B #49 Siesta Key Physical Therapy......... Map-D #20 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce................Map-D #67 Prime Audio Video........................... Map-E #1 Roberti Enterprises.........................Map-A #39 Village Arcade..................................Map-C #53 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Attorney Fleming.............................. Map-E #1 Edward Jones Investments.......... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................Map-E 74 REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Amy Robinson RE............................. Map-E #1 Coldwell Banker Realty................. Map-D #20 EXP Realty.........................................Map-E #4 Judith Guzzi & Assoc..................... Map-E #74 Keller Williams Real Estate............Map-D #11 Michael Saunders Realty..............Map-E #72 ReMax Alliance Group................ Map-C #29 RentSiestaKey.com........................... Map-D #9 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate.....Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental Prop.................. Map-D #10 The Ringling Beach House Rentals...Map-D #9 Tropical Sands Accommodations......Map-D #67

48 47 46

RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg..............Map-C #54 & 55 Blasé Café....................................... Map-A #38 Bonjour French Cafe.......................Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano............................... Map-D #71 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar.............. Map-B #29 Flavio’s Italiano Ristorante............ Map-B #30 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill.......Map-B #33 Island House Bar & Grill............. Map-D #69 Lobster Pot...................................... Map-C #23 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company......Map-B #31 Old Salty Dog Rest. & Pub............... Map-E #2 PI Pizza & Craft Beer..................... Map-A#37 Ripfire Pizza..................................... Map-B #47 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria.............. Map-D #15 Subway Sandwiches....................... Map-B #30 Summer House................................Map-C #57 Sun Garden Café............................ Map-D #19 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub - Baja Grill........................Map-C #59 The Seafood Joint.......................... Map-D #15 The Star Thai Sushi............... Map-D #17 & 18 Village Café.................................... Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY Sassy Hair Salon............................ Map-A #40 Siesta Key Nails & Spa..................Map-D #9 Shaman Sanctuary Salon................. Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/RENTALS CaliFlorida........................................Map-C #29 Robin Hood Rentals......................Map-B #34

Bringing you quality and comfort for more than 30 years!

WE’VE MOVED

a few doors down Map D #11

Birkenstock & More 5128 Ocean Blvd. Siesta Village

941-346-7425 www.rickscomfortshoes.com

LET US CUSTOMIZE SHIRTS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

24

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

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

Things You Like....................................... C-3 #14 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs.............................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts................. C-3 #14 Sunshine Sand Hidden Treasures...... D-3 #17 Silver City Jewelry................................. C-3 #14 HEALTH & BEAUTY Sanctuary Siesta Key............................... A-5 #12 Siesta Key Salon & Spa........................... D-3 #17 The Key Spa & Salon.............................. A-5 #12 ICE CREAM & TREATS Orange Octopus ........................................B-3 #8 Siesta Creamery....................................... C-3 #14 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 LIQUOR STORES Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1

Crescent Club...........................................B-3 #13 Siesta Spirits............................................. C-3 #17 MAILING & SHIPPING Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 US Post Office Sub Station..................... C-3 #14 MARKETS 7-11 Store.................................................. C-3 #16 Big Water Fish Market.......................... C-3 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 REAL ESTATE / RENTALS Beckmann Properties.............................. C-2 #15 Homes & Condo Rentals........................ D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands............................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent............................................ C-3 #14 Waterside Realty.................................... C-3 #17 RESTAURANTS / CAFES Big Water Fish Market................................C-3 #17 Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill...............A-5 #12

Capt. Curts Crab & Oyster Bar.................B-3 #7 City Pizza Italian Restaurant................. D-3 #17 Clayton’s Siesta Grille...............................B-3 #9 Daiquiri Deck.................................................A-3 #2 Spear Fish Grill..............................................A-4 #5 Toasted Mango Cafe....................................C-3 #17 Miguel’s Restaurant................................ C-3 #17 WATER SPORTS - FISHING - RENTALS A to Z Beach & Bike Rentals.................. A-5 #12 FIN Island Co. ........................................... A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Parasail Siesta........................................... A-3 #2 Siesta Key Bike & Kayak ........................B-3 #8 Siesta Key Marina.................................... A-4 #5 Siesta Key Jetski ........................................ A-3 #2 Siesta Sports Rentals............................. C-3 #14 Waves Boat & Social Club...................... A-5 #12

Home of the Orange Squeeze HAND MADE:

941.346.0202

• Ice Cream • Sundaes • Shakes

www.orangeoctopusicecream.com

OPEN DAILY 11AM - 10PM

1220 Old Stickney Point Road

Expires 12/31/20

BIKES · BEACH STUFF · KAYAKS PADDLEBOARDS · SCOOTER CARS BEACH WHEELCHAIRS · SCOOTERS

Book Your Next Adventure Online. We Deliver!

BOOK ONLINE OR CALL AT:

RideAndPaddle.com

(941)-346-1797 6551 Midnight Pass Road Southbridge Mall Siesta Key, FL 34242

BOOK ONLINE & SAVE $5.00 OFF YOUR NEXT WEEKLY BIKE RENTAL WITH COUPON CODE: V2019

Map B-3#8

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd.

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-3 #4

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

Crescent Beach Grocery 1211 Old Stickney Pt. Rd.

MAP B-3 #1

Davidson Drugs 6595 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Siesta 4-Rent 6555 Midnight Pass Rd.

Toasted Mango Cafe 6621 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #17

MAP C-4 #17

MAP C-3 #14

MAP A-5 #12

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

Snapshots of Island Visitors

27th State Media LLC

25

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

So many families enjoying SK beach while friends & families up north felt temperatures in the single digits… SKB always has beautiful views and plenty of miles to walk the shoreline.

1

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1. Mackenzie age 7, Rory age 4 from MI 2. Vivia age 8, Maelyn age 12, Ivory age 10,Melanie, Brex age 4 months, Wrenna age 6 2. Vivia age 8, Maelyn age 12, Ivory age 10,Melanie, Brex age 4 months, Wrenna age 6 3. Grace age 11, Rosie age 6, Tiffany, Grant age 9, Matt, Eliot age 10, Lydia age 4, Jay, Ella age 7, Lisa from NY 4. Henry age 9, Emily, Miles age 3, Nick, Nora 7 5. Kay 13, Kelly, Lena age 11, Julianna age 10, Mara age 8 from NY 6. Nicole, Harper age 3 from MD 7. Amber, Carrigan age 4, Emerson age 1 ½’ Haley, Mike from MI 8. Isaac age 13, Lisa, Coleman, age 17, Jared from ME 9. Rachel, from Valrico, Brian from Coral Springs, FL 10. Casey, Kaitlyn age 11, Jace age 6, Alec age 9, Julian age 5, Emily from NY

26

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

EPA received more than 9,000 comments on proposed ‘fish farm’

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

A lt h o ug h 67 p e o pl e p r e reg istered to make public comments during a Jan. 28 hearing on a “fish farm” proposed to be situated 45 miles off the Sarasota County coast, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received mor e t h a n 9,0 0 0 com me nt s altogether on the issue, an EPA spokeswoman told the SNL. “At this time, EPA does not

have a predetermined deadline” for deciding on whether to issue a permit that the Hawaii-based company Ocean Era — formerly known as Kampachi Farms — would need to begin its pilot program, Dawn Harris-Young, lead public affairs specialist for EPA’s Region 4, in Atlanta, wrote in a Feb. 19 in response to a SNL question.

She noted that the formal public comment period “was extended until February 4, 2020.”

“EPA will consider all comments received, including data, the requirements of the [U.S.] Clea n Water Act and applicable regulations to make its final permit decision,” Harris-Young added.

In response to a not her quest ion, s h e w r o t e , “A s communicated in the public notice and at the hearing, the EPA will provide a copy of the final decision to the applicant and each person who has submitted written comments or requested notice, and has provided their mailing or email address. The best way to ensure notice of the final permit decision is to request notice.”

Last year, the EPA provided the following information about

Home for the best Margaritas GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ONLINE OR AT RESTAURANT

LUNCH SPECIALS

8389 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (across the street from Pelican Plaza)

11AM - 3PM Monday thru Friday $8.99 #’s 1-17 ONLY, *Soft Drink Is Included

941-217-4536 www.jaliscomexicangrill.com

HAPPY HOUR

TUESDAY DRINK SPECIALS

Original Flavor, Regular Size MARGARITA on the Rocks $3.75 Well Drinks $4.00 Dos X Mexican Beer $2.50 Original Flavored Mojito $3.50

Sangria $5.95 2X1 House Wine

MON. THRU SUN. 3PM-7PM

16 oz.

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11AM-9PM Fri. and Sat. 11AM-10PM Sun. 11AM-9PM

Kids Eat Free Monday & Thursday

1 Kid’s Meal With Each Adult Entreé

We Are Taking Reservations Thru Our Webpage Or Thru Open Table

how to request notice: Letters may be addressed to NPDES Permitting Section, Water Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960, ATTENTION: Mr. Kip Tyler. Requests also may be sent via email to R4NPDES. Kampachi@epa.gov.

Kampachi Farms applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its proposed pilot project in the Gulf of Mexico, which is called Velella Epsilon.

“Aquaculture facilities produce and discharge wastes (excess fish feed and fecal material) that contain pollutants,” a draft EPA fact sheet on the project explains.

“Accordingly, marine aquaculture operations are considered point sources that discharge industrial wastewater,” the draft fact sheet adds.

“For Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes, federal waters in the Gulf extend seaward” from the 3 nautical-mile boundary of each Gulf coastal state to 200 miles offshore, the draft fact sheet points out. “In the vicinity of the facility,” the draft fact sheet continues, “the Gulf is not considered an impaired water pursuant to CWA …”

The Kampach i Fa rms pla n would entail a net-pen containing about 20,000 fish for approximately 12 months, the draft EPA fact sheet says. The facility would be moored in water about 130 feet deep.

The EPA’s draft Environmental Assessment of the project explains that the juvenile fish “will be sourced from brood stock that are located at Mote Aquaculture Research Park and were caught in the Gulf near Madeira Beach, Florida. … Following harvest, cultured fish would be landed in Florida and sold to federallylicensed dealers in accordance with state and federal laws.”

The fish would be long fi n yellowtail, the EPA draft fact sheet notes. Those fish also are known as almaco jack, which are related to natural amberjack, according to research the SNL undertook.

The Sarasota City Commission was among local opponents of the proposal, citing concerns about the fish farm’s potential to foster red tide blooms.

The most recent bloom, which began in the fall of 2017 and did not end until early 2019, had a devastating impact on the county’s economy, community leaders have pointed out. Sarasota Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch put the figure at $96.4 million during remarks to her City Commission colleagues on Feb. 2.

With tons of dead fish having to be cleaned from the county’s beaches, a nd a toxic aerosol sendi ng people to emergency rooms with respiratory problems, visitors began cancelling trips to the area.

Even the crime statistics for 2019 compared to those for 2018 on Siesta Key tell the tale of the deep dropoff in tourism, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the Siesta Key substation, has reported to members of nonprofit organizations on the barrier island.

Ahearn-Koch, who recommended her board send a letter of opposition to the EPA, pointed out during the Feb. 3 City Commission meeting that the Velella Epsilon project would be the first in the waters of the contiguous United States. The fish in the net-pen, she said, would be fed pellets containing food — including phosphate — and antibiotics. Moreover, she pointed out, the fishes’ fecal matter would fall to the floor of the Gulf.

She also talked of her fear that if one net-pen won approval, more would follow. “Right now, we have a very serious red tide problem,” she added. Red tide, she emphasized, “is always out there [in the Gulf].”

I n l a t e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 19, representatives of 13 environmental organizations across the United State collaborated on their own letter of opposition to the project, which they sent to the EPA. They called the fish pens “essentially floating feedlots in open water …”

However, Ocean Era has stressed the need for a new source of fish to feed the world’s population.

On its website, the company says it was founded in 2011 by former executives of the “pioneering Hawaiian open ocean aquaculture company Kona Blue Water Farms, w it h t he goa l of cont i nui ng innovative research and leveraging scientific discoveries to advance Continued on page 39

It doesn’t need to be NEW to be

AWESOME! Voted Sarasota’s #1 Consignment Store

4/30/2020

AWARDING MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

There’s no limit to the BARGAINS you’ll FIND! Supporting local ARTS related programs & education for more than 50 years.

Volunteer • Donate • Consign • Shop 539 S. ORANGE | 941-955-7859 | OPEN MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4 | www.sarasotawex.com

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

Great Blue Heron expert fisherman who seldom tells stories of the one that You may see this stately heron fly or hunt along Siesta got away. This agile hunter employs two basic methods: Key’s shoreline, but nesting pairs are not easily observed grab or stab. Most often, the great blue snatches food in the tree canopy sevbetween its upper and lower bill eral stories above ground as opposed to using its blade-like or water. This particular bill to pierce its prey. Either way, couple was spotted on the unlucky fish, crustacean, the mainland in southern mouse, frog, or insect goes down Sarasota County. While the hatch in one big gulp! the male selects the nest Now available in site and gathers sticks as two locations: building materials, it is BLVD Beachwear the female who is the chief 5239 Ocean Blvd architect and builder of 941-349-2583 this roomy honeymoon suite. The open floorplan Shelly’s Gift and Christmas of this spacious platform Boutique accommodates the birds’ 4420 S. Tamiami Trail imposing height of 3.2 to 941-260-8905 Great Blue Heron, Ardea Herodias: 4.5 feet! Long legs and an Photo courtesy of Siesta Key Notes/Jan G. Baumgartner S-shaped neck make for an

Happiness is… Reunions Ah, Spring. A time for renewal and rebirth. At Abel’s Ice Cream, owner Jerry Williams loves this season because of the joy he gets from reuniting with his favorite snowbirds. “It’s like meeting up with old friends when someone walks in the door who’s been out of town for months,” he said.

Not surprising that Jerry becomes friends with his customers. One of the most frequent review comments about Abel’s Ice Cream is the friendliness of the staff. And that all starts with him.

And right now, he’s even happier than usual. It’s almost a guarantee that the next time you walk into Abel’s for your favorite sweet treat, Williams will be sporting his Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Championship hat. “Fifty years in the making.” He smiled. “Of course, I’m ready to talk about it.”

Along with the wide variety of delicious ice cream flavors that are available year-round, Abel’s is kicking off Spring featuring a seasonal flavor, Purple Daze (Black Raspberry ice cream with a black raspberry crinkle, and dark chocolate black raspberry cups.) and our most popular flavor, Stellar Coffee (If you’re a coffee lover, this is a must have... there is no better! Rich Coffee Club® ice cream with delicious fudge and mini dark chocolate coffee cups.)

DaRuMaLandings-SunsetSpecialsAd.pdf

1

12/12/19

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

27th State Media LLC

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

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit.

One of the things that set SKOB apart from the other restaurants in Siesta Key Village is that we have some of the best food on the Key.

Live Music Every Day and Night

Enjoy some great ice cream with your friends at Abel’s Ice Cream. They are located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at our website, www.abelsicecream.com or connect with them on Facebook or Instagram.

Awarded their Certificate of Excellence for SIX years straight!

12:58 PM

27

Daily Drink Specials

28

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

Arts on the Horizon

Sarasota: average age going up

Yes, each year the average age in Sarasota goes up. Not necessarily the age of Sarasotans, but certainly of the composers we (certain ones of us) love to celebrate. Sure, some of us also love Dixieland, Swing, Rap, and Country, but those tunes are just from 3 to 6 minutes each as opposed to classical compositions which generally are from 10 to 40 minutes long. The shortness of popular modern works limits their potential for complexity and thus their staying power. If you’ve listened to a pop tune five times, you may love it and want to listen to it again, but while you may enjoy it, you won’t get anything more out of it. It is the same person doing the same thing, over and over. Listening to a Beethoven’s String Trio means listening to it being performed by a different group of musicians, who interact with each other in different ways, each and every time you come upon it. Wonderful. And wonderful that this composition will be performed by three consummate artists on April 2nd during the La Musica Chamber Music Festival at the Sarasota Opera House. By the way, Old Ludwig will be 250 years old in 2020. A Brahms’ string sextet and a piano quintet by Dohnányi round out that evening.

What do Albert Einstein and Princess Grace (Kelly) have in common? Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings was performed at both their funerals. Those two luminaries are long gone but the music lives on. The quartet version that you will hear on April 6th (as long as the festival has not been shut down) is thought to be even more meditative than the orchestral version that Einstein and the Princess didn’t actually hear. Fantaisie pour

www.siestasand.net

By Rodger Skidmore

Violon et Harpe features Ann Hobson Pilot (harp) and Anastasiya Petryshak (violin), Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane and Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A major are also performed by the ten featured musicians.

Believe that pop tunes can be as varied as classical pieces with interesting arrangements for different instruments? Well, you’re right.

The trumpet and string quintet version of four Beatles tunes (Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Blackbird, and Across the Universe) will be a Third Stream version of these hits. SaintSaëns’ Septet for Piano, Trumpet and Strings, a Mozart Piano quartet, and a (Bernhard, not Sigmund) Romberg Trio are all played on the 10th. And Beethoven is back on the 13th with his Trio in C minor followed by two folk artists - Kodàly and Dvorák - with a serenade and a quartet. Attendance at rehearsals always adds enjoyment. Info at Lamusicafestival.org.

52C

There were going to be over 30 films shown at the Sarasota Film Festival - plus shorts.

Now, with the festival postponed because of COVID-19, you may never be able to see these good films. Right? Wrong. Hopefully new dates will be posted soon.

The whole idea of the festival is to get potentially good films in front of the public so that popular support could help determine which would go into national distribution.

The festival was the buffer between the hundreds of films made, and you. Let’s slim the numbers down to five that might have some appeal to you.

Tom Dolby’s The Artist’s Wife is about an aging artist whose wife has to take control

because he is losing it. No, it isn’t The Wife, starring Glenn Close, whose husband was a writer and never had it to lose. Neither is it a copy, rip-off, or remake, but partly an extension of where the other left off. And stars Bruce Dern. Desert One is sort of a horror story that you might actually have lived through but haven’t thought of since.

In 1979 Iran took our embassy staff in Tehran hostage and President Carter authorized a rescue mission. He tried, it failed, and he paid the price - the buck stopped there. What actually happened? See the film.

The Last Shift could have been called The Last Shaft. An old duffer is retiring from a fast food chicken joint after 38 years and his last task is to train his replacement, who he doesn’t like - generational differences, et al.

It was to be the closing night film, which means it was the one the festival wanted you to remember.

Can you think of a situation in which you would never want to find yourself (or your daughter or granddaughter)? Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a film about one of those situations. It is part of a world in which you do not wish to live but where you really should dwell for a couple of hours so that you may feel empathy (or more empathy, depending on how much empathy you already feel) for someone caught up in a horrible situation which was, to some degree, of their own making.

Talking about people we’ve forgotten, remember those Booker Elementary School kids here in Sarasota to whom President Bush was reading when he found out both of the World Trade Towers had been destroyed?

Well, Elizabeth St. Philip did and made the film 9/11 Kids. This film focuses on those 16 children and how they’ve fared. More about these films at: Sarasotafilmfestival.com, theatre listings, Netflix, el al, and google the titles in six months.

Murder She Wrote

Or was it Murder She Did? Or was it murder at all? This kind of tale would make a great 3 part BBC series, or a so-so eight part NetFlix original. Either way, lots of people would enjoy watching it. But, like

sprinkles on top of hot fudge on a vanilla ice cream cone, let’s make it a musical as well. And have it take place here in Florida just to make it special - specifically in Live Oaks, Florida (“Live Oaks just means Dead Folks where we come from” would make a good promo line). Want to go all out and make it a world premiere written (mostly),

and directed by, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s Nate Jacobs at their theatre on Orange Avenue? Well, that’s what the musical Ruby is. Nate’s brother Michael wrote the book with Nate and wrote all of the lyrics.

Antonio Wimberly worked with Nate on the music. The question is, will you get to see this musical on one of the days starting April 15th through May 24th? Only the US Center for Disease Control has the answer to that one. Let’s hope everything goes well for us and for this musical. There is nothing like a plot where a rich, well-to-do woman, Ruby McCollum, kills her doctor. Extra info: the story made all the newspapers back in 1952 and the writer Zora Neal Hurston reported on it for the Pittsburgh Courier.

They probably sent her because alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, paternity, money, the IRS, and politics were involved. A number of books were written about Ruby McCollum over the years. In addition to some movies being made, a play was produced in New York which starred Viola Davis as Ruby and Phylicia Rashad as Zora Neale Hurston.

Nate Jacobs’ Ruby is the only musical. Tons of info on Wikipedia and at Westcoastblacktheatre.org.

Silver City’s continued support helps fund Red Tide Research When the red tide was at its worst, Silver City Sarasota designed and created a jewelry collection called Tide AwayTM. When asked what prompted the idea, the ladies at Silver City Sarasota responded, “We felt compelled to put our heads together to aid Mote Marine Laboratory in their research and marine animal rescue efforts. Seeing the amazing work Mote scientists, staff and volunteers put out coming daily to our beach to sample the waters, as well as rescuing and recovering turtles and dolphins, birthed the idea for “Tide AwayTM” and then we proceeded to sketch out the concept.”

The first product in the collection was the “Tide AwayTM” Keychain. It was so well received by our tourists and local customers that they decided to expand the line in order to donate more to Mote.

As it stands now Silver City Sarasota has two necklaces, earrings, bracelets, a bead that fits all bead bracelets, the Keychain. Their newest addition is the “Tide AwayTM” tote beach bag with an actual photo of Siesta Key Beach on it taken by the proprietor.

The generous 25% donation far exceeds the national average of 6%-10%.

The staff of Silver City Sarasota is very proud of the collection, and with Motes’ encouragement, they are currently working on new pieces to help Save our Beaches.

Located just minutes from Siesta Key Beach, on Midnight Pass Road, Silver City Sarasota has been providing its customers with outstanding service as well as uniquely designed products in a variety of gemstones and diamond jewelry.

TM

You can view the “Tide Away™” Collection at Silver City Sarasota located at 6539 Midnight Pass Road Monday -Saturday 10 am to 5pm.

941-349-5030 www.SilverCitySarasota.com Advertorial

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

29

Island Humor Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging of how great their fathers are.

The first one says: “Well, my father runs the fastest. He can fire an arrow, and start to run, I tell you, he gets there before the arrow”.

The second one says: “Ha! You think that’s fast! My father is a hunter. He can shoot his gun and be there before the bullet”.

The third one listens to the other two and shakes his head. He then says: “You two know nothing about fast. My father is a civil servant.

He stops working at 4:30 and he is home by 3:45”!!

The rain was pouring down.

There standing in front of a big puddle outside the pub was an old Scotsman, drenched, holding a stick, with a piece of string dangling in the water.

A passer-by stopped and asked, “What are you doing?”

Fishing.” replied the old man.

Feeling sorry for the old man, the gent says, “Come in out of the rain and have a drink with me.”

In the warmth of the pub, as they sip their whiskies, the gent, being a bit of a smart ass, cannot resist asking, “So how many have you caught today?”

“You’re the eighth”, said the old guy.

A guy rings his boss and says “Sorry, I can’t come to work today.”

The boss asks him, “Why not?”

The guy said, “It’s my eyes.”

“Why? What’s wrong with your eyes?” asks the boss.

The guy says, “I just can’t see myself coming to work, so I’m going fishing instead.”

A woman wakes in the middle of the night to find her husband not in bed. She puts on her robe and goes downstairs to look for him.

She finds him in the kitchen sitting at the table with a cup of hot cocoa in front of him. He appears to be in deep thought, just staring at the wall. She watches as he wipes away a tear from his eye.

“What’s the matter, dear?” she whispers as she enters the room.

“Why are you down here at this time of night?”

The husband looks up from his drink, “It’s the 20th anniversary of the day we met,” he said.

She can’t believe he remembered, and she starts to tear up.

The husband continues, “Do you remember 20 years ago when we started dating? I was 18 and you were only 15,” he said solemnly.

Once again, the woman is moved to tears thinking her husband is so caring and sensitive.

“Yes, I do,” she replies.

The husband pauses, the words are not coming easily …

“Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?” he asks.

“Yes, I remember,” she said, as she lowered herself into the chair next to him.

The husband continued.

“Do you remember when he shoved the shotgun in my face and said , Either you marry my daughter or I will see to it that I would spend the next 20 years in prison?”

“I remember that, too,” she said softly.

He sighed and wiped another tear from his cheek and said, “I would have gotten out of prison today.”

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she would like to have for her birthday.

“I would like to be eight, again,” she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a big bowl of Cocoa Puffs. After she ate a big bowl of her favorite childhood cereal, he took her to the Adventure World Theme Park.

What a day! He put her on all the rides: The Death Slide, Wall of Fear, The Screaming Roller Coaster, and every other ride the park had to offer.

Five hours later, they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling, her stomach felt upside down. Nonetheless, he next stopped at McDonald’s and bought her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a thick chocolate milk shake.

Next, they went to latest animated movie and had popcorn, soda, boxes of her favorite candy, M&Ms. What a fabulous experience. Afterwards, she staggered home with her husband and they collapsed into bed, exhausted.

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, “well dear, what was it like being eight again?”

Her eyes suddenly opened, and her expression suddenly changed.

“I meant my dress size, you idiot,” she shouted.

A priest, a minister, and a rabbi want to see who’s best at his job.

So, they decide to each go into the woods, find a bear, and attempt to convert it.

Later, they get together. The priest begins: “When I found the bear, I read to him from the Catechism and sprinkled him with holy water. Next week is his First Communion.”

The minister goes second, “I found a bear by the stream and preached God’s holy word,” he said.

“The bear was so mesmerized that he let me baptize him.”

They both look down at the rabbi, who is lying on a gurney in a body cast. “Now that I have had a chance to reflect,” he says, “maybe, I shouldn’t have started with the circumcision.”

Boss hangs a poster in Office “I AM THE BOSS, DO NOT FORGET” He returns from lunch, finds a slip on his desk.

“Your wife called, she wants her poster back home.”

Open Daily

Breakfast served all day, every day!

Sarasota’s Family Diner since 1972!

Join Us for EastEr!

Sunday, April 12 Special Easter menu + our regular menu Call for reservations of 5 or more Open 7 AM

6721 S. Tamiami Trl • Sarasota 941.924.1770 • DutchValleyRestaurant.net

Answers on page 46 MarinerWord Search WORD LIST ATLANTA BRAVES

www.TheMariner.com

Florida’s Grapefruit League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES BOSTON RED SOX DETROIT TIGERS HOUSTON ASTROS HOUSTON ASTROS MIAMI MARLINS MINNESOTA TWINS NEW YORK METS NEW YORK YANKEES PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES PITTSBURGH PIRATES ST. LOUIS CARDINALS TAMPA BAY RAYS TORONTO BLUE JAYS WASHINGTON NATIONALS

CAPTAIN CURT’S VILLAGE Answers on Page 65

Siesta Key’s “Old Florida” Shopping Village In The Heart of Crescent Beach

BEST SHOPPING, DINING AND FUN ON SIESTA KEY

Enjoy specialty coffees and craft beers

SIESTA KEY’S OLDEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

941-349-3885 CAPTAIN CURT’S CAPTAIn

WORLD FAMOUS CLAM CHOWDER

FUN RENTALS OF ALL KINDS 941-346-0891

Island Apparel, Souvenirs, & Chowder Kits 941-349-3885

Ice Cream and more! 941-346-8080

Outdoor Dining / Food until 2am LIVE MUSIC

1200 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key FL, 34242

30

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE With our map, located below, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease.

Siesta Nails & Spa, located in the Sarasota Pavilion (6517 S. Tamiami Trail), a few doors down from Hooters Restaurant, re cent ly c h a nged h a nds a nd remodeled their shop. Enjoy a complimentar y glass of wine with their $35 and up Pedi. Call them at 941-556-9048 to set up an appointment.

The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach t o g r o om i n g w it h a p r e c i s e at te nt ion to p er son a l de t a i l.

Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunit y to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. – Fri. 8:30am – 6pm, Sat., 8:30am – 3pm. Closed

on Sundays and Mondays.

Sarasota Brewing Co. (G- 4) Sarasota’s first micro brew pub always has something new to of fer. From over 20 season a l b eers t h at rot ate t h roug hout the year, the Brewing Company always has at least five unique brews online as well as several favor ite s f rom a rou nd t he world. Established in 1989, their m e nu h a s b e e n a w i n n e r i n the Reader’s Choice Awards of t he Sa ra sot a Hera ld Tr ibu ne featuring their mouth-watering burgers, Chicago style pizzas, and Chicago beef sandwiches.

With dozens of televisions, it’s a great place to catch a game with friends and family.

Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G11): has been an institution in the community for years, owned

by Kyle Flan ner y. The superclean barbershop’s clientele is comprised of prima rily men, but the shop services children as 1

well. Scott Reich, formerly of the Siesta Key Village Barber Shop has relocated to this location.

At t he or ig i n a l Wo r d o f M o u t h R e s t a u r a n t (G - 3 1), every seemingly insignificant detail receives special attention from the warm, inviting decor to each specially crafted variety of freshly baked muffins to the s ig n at u r e m e nu it e m s. T h i s small diner is where the locals come to eat breakfast and lunch.

Ta ke a look at t hei r menu at or ig i n a lwordof mout h.com.

Hours: Mon-Sun.: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

P iccolo It a l i a n Ma rke t & Deli (G- 47) carries a full line of i mpor ted cheeses, f resh baked bread daily, homemade sausages, fresh mozzarella, and nu merous ha rd to get item s.

They now ca r r y K horasa n W heat wh ich is a n a ncient and organic grain. Their Deli is complete with huge hot and cold sandwiches, salads, fresh

2

3

4

6

Siesta Nails & Spa

© Island Visitor Publishing, LLC 2018

Ba Am nk o eri f ca

A

Panera Bread

Bed Bath & Beyond

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

Ross

Dress for Less

Iberia Bank

Five Below 1

2

3

4

2

From Vintage to Modern An extension of your personality

G8 G7 G6 G5 G4 G3

G1

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

D

C

B

S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S1

Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

3

4

5

PICCOLO

SRQ

Italian Market & Deli

S-24

EYE EXAMS AVAILABLE

$

complete frames* & lenses

89 bifocal

| $189 progressive digital lenses

69 single vision

bring your prescription • FREE FRAMES while supplies last.

Pay only for plastic lenses • FREE ultrasound cleaning of glasses • Most repairs available on site

941.444.7984 onlyeyesoptical.com

6

7

THE SHOP SRQ 6625 Gateway Ave.

G-2

Traditional, Old School Barber Shop

“We Straight Razor Shave” 15 Years + Experience

www.TheShopSrq.com

& Vegetarian Sandwiches

6541 Superior Avenue Gulf GAte BuSineSS DiStrict SArASotA, fl 34231

G10 G9

Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

Hot or Cold

$

G12 G11

S30

A

Lo Ho ng rn

1

S-16

G14 G13

G2

G24

5

G16 G15

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

Superior Avenue

B

Marshall’s

G23 G22 G21 G20 G19 G18 G17

Gateway Avenue

Books-AMillion

Beall’s Outlet

Mall Mall Drive Drive

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

E

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

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

Hooters

Sun Trust

C

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

941-925-2400

Michaels

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

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

Over 150 businesses make up this district.

D

Eat Where The Locals Eat!

Publix

7

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

M7

M6

M5 M4 M3 M2 M1

GULF GATE Stein Mart

Continued on the next page

5

E

G-31

who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their re c ipes a nd te c h n iques h ave been perfected through three long generations based on the t rad it ion a l si mpl ic it y of t he methods used by their Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or i n Sa rasota u nt i l 3:30 a.m. 6574 Super ior Ave., 941-924-5800.

P r ide of the South (S 3 4) Pr ide of t he Sout h h as b e en awa rded Top Ba rb e que i n S a ra s ot a for 2016 by Tr ip Advisor and Yelp. It has been awarded for the best Southern Hospitality. Pride of the South has a brisket BLT, hands down, o n e o f t h e b e s t s a n dw i c h e s you ever tasted. The smoked chicken wings are unbelievable.

Backed up w it h t he pu l led pork sandwiches, the smoked bolog na, t he smoked Tu rkey,

homemade lasagna and baked ziti.

West End Pub (G- 49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bri ng your ow n restaura nt or deli food?

Right here. 6500 Gateway Ave. – 941-554-8905.

To n y ’s C h i c a g o B e e f 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.

S o l ó r z a n o ’s L a t e N i g h t P i z z e r i a (S - 3 2): At ever y S o l ó r z a n o ’s , t h e y o f f e r a n ex per ience fa m i l ia r to t hos e

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

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

Come See Our New Location Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am - 6pm 6518 Gateway Ave.

941-923-2202

www.PiccoloMarket.com

941.626.4894 / 941.536.1656 • No Appointment Needed •

TONSORIAL ARTISTRY

BY ERICK & DAWN

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

S-34

Catering Available

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

941.926.0099

COUPON

FREE SIDE With the purchase of ANY entreé

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE Continued from the previous page

the collard greens, fried corn on the cob, fried okra, fried green tomatoes and one of the best mac n cheese you ever tasted.

We do catering with no limit to size. Call (941)926-0099. See you soon.

Gu l f Gate Food + Beer (S-51): Sarasota’s late-night hot spot for the service industry, n ig ht owls, a nd m id n ig ht snackers. It’s not your typical sports ba r offeri ng u n ique menu selections for carnivores a nd vege t a r i a n s. B e su r e to check out their menu online at: eatfooddrinkbeer.com. Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. - Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.).

ROBE RT S R E A LT Y, I n c . ( M - 5 ) Jo h n G a r n e r, B r o k e r Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker A s s o c. h ave a c o m b i n e d 4 0 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. FOR BUYERS, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs

and matching that as close as possible. FOR SELLERS, over the years we have successfully l i sted a nd sold m a ny, m a ny properties throughout Sarasota County. OUR PHILOSOPHY is to have fun, enjoy the experience, ac h ieve g r e at r e s u lt s, m a k e friends and receive referrals.

We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941-924-2330 or drop by our office.

Only Eyes, Optical (S -24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Licensed and experienced optician available to f i l l you r pr e s c r ipt ion s.

Only Eyes Optical has a large assortment of free frames with t he pu rc h a se of new len ses.

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

Mellow Mush room serves a one of a kind pizza pie. The f l avor s a nd i ng r e d ie nt s a r e just as unique and special as

the restaurant’s design. Try a Mellow Mushroom stone-baked pizza, munchies, calzone, salad, hoagie, or even a burger. Pick from our selection of 24 draft b e e r s or t a st y, h a ndc ra f t e d cocktails. And, ma ny of our pizzas can be made gluten-free or vega n. Located at 6727 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-388-7504.

27th State Media LLC

31

Blooming This Month: Pentas

Just for Laughs

A guy spots a sign outside a house that reads “Talking Dog for Sale.” Intrigued, he walks in.

“So what have you done with your life?” he asks the dog.

“I’ve led a very full life,” says the dog. “I lived in the Alps rescuing avalanche victims.

Then I served my country in Iraq. And now I spend my days reading to the residents of a retirement home.”

The guy is flabbergasted. He asks the dog’s owner, “Why on earth would you want to get rid of an incredible dog like that?”

The owner says, “Because he’s a liar! He never did any of that!”

Pentas lanceolata

Pentas bloom with large clusters of starry blooms that attract butterflies by the dozens as well as hummingbirds. The plant grows well in containers and in the ground -- and it can even make a good houseplant if you have enough light.

It does best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Pentas are g reat plants for container gardens and also work well in mass plantings in garden beds. Be sure to leave ample space for them to grow if planting in beds. It’s okay to

place pentas in closer quarters when creating container gardens because most pentas grow about 15 inches wide and 2 to 3 feet tall.

By pinching back the early growth it will encourage bushier plants.

At first planting, water the plants regularly and then only as necessary.

Fertilize every six weeks or so to improve growth.

SAVE THE DATES: May 10, 2020, Mother’s Day Concert; May 22, 2021, A Tour of Chelsea Flower Show & South East England Gardens Submitted by CJ Danna

SIESTA NAILS & SPA

(941) 556 9048 Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 9am - 6pm 6517 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 At Sarasota Pavilion Center, Publix Supermarket, next to Hooters.

G-4

Enjoy a ComplimEntary Glass of WinE With a $35 and up pEdi Group spECial: ChampaGnE party for Group of 7-10

Roberts Realty

John Garner Broker Associate

Diane Shane Broker Associate

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE...

MLB/College Packages FULL BAR

941-924-2330

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

We are with you every step of the way!

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

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

32

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

Florida Fish of Siesta Key

Red Snapper

Yellowtail Florida Puffer

Mangrove Snapper

Lane Snapper

Black Mullet Snook

Red Drum “Redfish”

Tarpon

941.312.0665

Water World Fishing Report Capt. Jeffri Durrance Fishing & Fly Fishing Forecast CB’s Saltwater Outfitters Capt. Rick Grassett Orvis-Endorsed Outfitter Guide CB’s Saltwater Outfitters-2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. (941) 923-7799 (office)

There should be good action with reds, trout and snook in skinny water in March as the water Sailfish warms and baitfish become more plentiful. Look for Spanish and Spanish king mackerel, cobia, tripletail and Mackerel false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf. Night snook fishing in the ICW should also be a good Dohlpin this month.

“Mahi-Mahi” Snook, reds and spotted seatrout remain closed to harvest on the west coast of Florida. The Florida FWC has extended a temporary modification of regulations for Scoolmaster reds, snook and trout, in the areas affected by the recent red tide. The area extends from Pasco County, south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County.

Reds, snook and trout are catch and release only in that zone Scamp until May 31, 2021. Full details including exact boundaries can be found at https://myfwc.com/ news/all-news/extended-cnr-220/.

This is great news for our fishery!

Sarasota Bay is rebounding, and the continued closure will make it even better.

This should be a good month for snook fishing at night around lighted docks and bridge fenders in the ICW. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, usually

mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high.

You should find them in potholes and along sand bars when the tide is low. Fly anglers should score with my Grassett Flats Minnow fly, fished on a 12’ or longer leader.

When using a long leader be sure you are able turn it over, otherwise you’ll need to shorten it until you can. The butt section should be at least 50% of the total length of the leader and stiff enough to transfer energy from your fly line to the leader.

You might also find reds around docks when the tide is low. Look for deep water under docks with a good tidal flow for the best action.

A clear intermediate sink tip fly line with a weighted fly and a 6’ leader should work well for dock fishing. In addition to reds, you might find snook, flounder, she epshead, jack s a nd more around docks.

You may find big trout in skinny water in many of the same places that you find reds. Blind cast seams where grass meets sand or focus on light colored bottom, in potholes on top of sand bars, where you may be able to sight fish them. I release all big trout (over 19”), since they are usually

Baracuda

Gulf Flounder

Florida Pompano Jack Crevalle

AmberJack Capt. Rick Grassett waded a shallow flat and caught and released this nice red on a fly.

Spotted Sea Trout

Cobia

Black Drum

Catfish

King Mackerel

Blue Marlin

Black Grouper

Sheesphead

www.siestasand.net

work well at night since glass minnows are the predominate baitfish. Focus on shadow lines where light meets dark and fish strong tides for the best action.

Although snook may also be found in rivers, creeks or canals in March, they will also start to move onto shallow flats, particularly on sunny afternoons when it’s warm.

I like wider profile flies, like my Grassett Flats Minnow, Deceivers and EP flies, for snook on the flats.

Look for early season tarpon that may start to show in backcountry areas. These are usually adult resident fish that are making their way out of rivers and creeks. They may be “laid up” or rolling on deep grass flats, on edges of shallow flats or along bars when it is calm.

An accurate cast may result in an explosive strike! Look for them in areas of Sarasota Bay, lower Tampa Bay or in Gasparilla Sound on some of the same deep grass flats where you find trout.

Reds should be more active as the water warms and baitfish become more plentiful. Higher tides, as we head into spring, will allow them to spend more time feeding in shallow water. Look for them over shallow grass, along

Speckled trout, ladyfish, black drum, mangrove snapper, Spanish Mackerel and jack crevalle were all on the current list of the fish being landed the past few days.

Customers used live shrimp, buck

tailed jigs and DOA CAL jigs to hook and catch this variety of species. Several large gafftop sailcats were also in the mix as strong winds made the fishing a bit tougher.

Five year-old Michael Bell showing off his prize catch, a nice speckled trout.

Fishing trips are resulting in a variety of species coming over the gunnel. The usual suspects include speckled trout, ladyfish, black drum, mangrove snapper, small gag grouper and jack crevalle along with a few snook and redfish in the mix.

More unusual fish caught include a barracuda and permit. Clients are catching the fish on top water plugs,

bucktailed jigs and the always popular live shrimp.

Five year-old Michael Bell fishing with his grandfather this week had a great morning, catching a variety with the permit being his first of that species (and grandpa is still waiting for his first permit).

Remember, the best time to go fishing is when you can and be sure to save some for seed!

females that are often filled with roe. These big fish are important to the health of our fishery.

You should also find t rout plentiful on deep grass flats along with Spanish mackerel, blues, flounder or pompano. I like to make a series of drifts, casting ahead of the drift with an Ultra Hair Clouser fly tied on a long shank hook and fished on a clear intermediate sink tip fly line to locate fish. Also look for birds, bait showering out of the water or boils on the surface that will indicate fish feeding below. When mackerel and blues are around, you may need to add 6” of 40# to 60# fluorocarbon or wire to your leader. Fly poppers also work well when blues and mackerel are around and may help locate them

by attracting them from further away. Flounder may be found on sand or mud bottom areas on both shallow and deep grass flats or around docks. Pompano may skip on the surface when you drift or run past them, giving their location away. Fish deep grass flats with a mixture of grass and sand and a strong tidal flow for the best action.

You may also find Spanish or king mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), cobia or tripletail in the coastal gulf this month.

Look for div i ng or hover i ng terns to find Spanish mackerel or false albacore feeding on the surface. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow or Ultra Hair Clousers fished on an

Continued on next page

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Forecast April 2020 Adventure Charters 941-371-1390

APRIL 2020

Food Safety Tips from the Island Fishmonger Storing and handling tips

During these unpredictable and confusing times, we all have to mind our p’s & q’s and be safe, smart and responsible. As I write this article the date today is March 18th and I do not know what the month of April will bring for Florida restaurants as I can’t predict the future. But, I what I do know is that all of us at Big Water Fish Market will continue to operate within the state mandate and maintain a clean and sanitized environment as usual. As of right now we have no plan to close the retail market and will continue to offer dine in and carryout in the restaurant until we are told we no longer can due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation. If there is a mandate to close restaurants, our retail market will remain open. Now that we have the unknowns out of the way, here are some safety tips for keeping your fresh fish in your daily diet.

Rule #1 in my fish market is if you wouldn’t eat it yourself you better not sell it. When in doubt, throw it out. If you get home and the fish that you just bought stinks, either bring it back and tell the person who sold it to you to eat it or throw it out and buy your fish elsewhere. Enough with the negative and let’s assume you bought a beautiful filet of fish.Store your fish in the coldest part of your refrigerator and keep it between 32°F and 41°F for up to 2 days. For best results, I always suggest you eat your fish the day you buy it. To freeze your fish, wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn and you can store frozen fish up to 10 months. When thawing it is always best to thaw in the refrigerator or in the sink at room temperature. If you’re in a rush you can run cold water over your frozen product to speed up the process. Make sure not to run water at high pressure directly onto the fish as it will damage the flesh.

Here are a few must know tips when buying fish from a retail counter…

• Only buy seafood from a reputable source.

• Always buy sustainable seafood.

• Fresh fish should have a mild, fresh sea breeze odor. A strong fish odor is not acceptable.

• When buying whole fish, look at the eyes. They should be clear not cloudy.

• Shellfish should be alive. Tap the shell and it should close. If not, they are dead, and you should not buy them.

• Purchase your seafood last and keep it cold.

• Benefits of Omega 3 outweighs mercury concerns.

• A ½ pound filet is the average dinner serving per person.

• Cook fish for 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness at 350°F. • A grilled piece of seafood with a side of steamed broccoli should be part of your weekly diet.

Buying Fish

Local angler Bonnie Czepiel with a nice Siesta Key Spanish mackerel

The weather has been unseasonably warm with record-breaking temperatures in February. March was pretty typical though water temps were above average. April should offer good fishing for a variety of species.

Big Pass and New Pass will be alive with fish migrating in and out of the bay this month. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, pompano, and ladyfish should be plentiful.

Pompano prefer a small white or chartreuse jig bounced along the bottom while the mackerel are often found higher in the water column or breaking on the surface.

There is nothing more exciting than casting a surface plug on light tackle or a fly into a feeding frenzy!

Action on the deep flats will be very good for speckled trout (catch and release only), pompano, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and ladyfish. The best flats to fish will be from Siesta Drive north to Long Bar. Flats that are near both passes will be especially productive. A ¼ ounce Bass Assassin Sea Shad is a great lure to prospect with; a lot of water can be covered and just about every species will hit it.

Plugs work very well when surface activity is seen, they also are a great lure to troll slowly and locate schools of fish. Silver and gold spoons are another good choice. Live bait is always a great choice, too. A live shrimp free lined or fished under a noisy float is a deadly technique.

The area between Siesta Drive and Blackburn Point will be good

Fly Fishing Continued from page 32 intermediate sink tip fly line, will work well for them.

Run crab trap lines at various depths to find tripletail or cobia around crab trap floats. Fly anglers should score on tripletail with lightly weighted flies with weed guards. I like a shrimp pattern for tripletail. Cobia may also be swimming on the surface as they migrate from south to north followi ng wa rmer water a nd baitfish. Large, wide profile flies, like Deceivers or EP flies would be good fly choices for cobia. In the absence of any fish on the surface, check out one of the many artificial reefs or natural hard bottom

for snook and redfish (both catch and release only) as they migrate out towards the beach to spawn.

Any point, oyster bar, dock, or creek mouth that drops off into deeper water is a likely spot to try. High, outgoing tides are best.

Plugs cover a lot of water and result in vicious strikes while jigs require more patience but will fool more redfish along with snook. Don’t be surprised when a big jack crevelle or trout inhales an offering meant for a snook or red.

This has been a good season for sheepshead and while it is past its peak there should still be a few of these tasty saltwater panfish around. Docks, seawalls, and bridges near passes will hold sheepies. A live shrimp fished on the bottom will fool them, along with snapper, grouper, and flounder.

Surf fishing should be very good for Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, flounder, pompano, and more.

Live or frozen shrimp fished near the bottom with a little weight works well. Spoons, plugs, and jigs will also catch plenty of fish, too.

April is a great month for anglers with a small boat and not a lot of experience to catch big fish. The beaches and inshore artificial reefs will be thick with king and Spanish mackerel, along with false albacore and the occasional cobia. Trolling spoons is very easy and deadly on all species. Sight casting to schools of breaking fish is fantastic sport using spinning or fly tackle.

areas that may hold baitfish and predators. Drift over structure and cast weighted flies on fast sinking fly lines to get deeper in the water column to catch them.

Conditions are usually good during March and fishing usually heats up. Flats and night snook fishing are usually good options this month. I like to check the coastal g ulf when conditions are good, since you could find something really good happening there. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by residential, agricultural and industrial runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

33

27th State Media LLC

The leading cause of most foodborne illnesses is improper food handling, preparation and storage. I suggest your very first step is to hook up with a reputable local fish monger that you can trust to ensure the best seafood quality and safety guidelines.

Here are the most important tips for buying fish. First of all, when food shopping, visit your fish monger on your way home in order to purchase your seafood last and keep it cold. If you have a few minutes before you get home, you should always ask for a bag of ice or even travel with your own cooler. The meat without feet that you purchase should be firm with a fresh sea breeze aroma and no discoloration. Clams, mussels and oysters should be closed or will close after a tap as they should be alive. Do not be embarrassed to ask to smell the fish. If it has a strong fishy smell odor, it’s going to have a strong fishy taste. Of course, your fish should taste like fish, but fresh fish tastes clean.

When somebody approaches my fish counter and asks the question “What do you have that’s not fishy tasting?” my answer is “You’re buying your fish from the wrong person!”

How much do I buy is a FAQ? How much do you eat is an answer but probably a better suggestion is an average dinner serving of fish is around a half pound of meat per person. Four people at your dinner table equals two pounds of fish.

Thank you, Mr. Obvious. If your fish monger is advertising 21/25 Shrimp or 10/15 Scallops that means, there are approximately that many in a pound.

How to cook fish

You have no idea how many times a day I am asked “Can you tell me how to cook my fish?” For some reason people are a bit intimidated by cooking fish and shellfish when in reality it is as simple as chicken and even less than meat. I think one reason many non-experienced home fish cooks are intimidated and would rather eat fish out instead of cooking in their own kitchen is fish odors sometimes lingers. This can be avoided by cooking outside or by doing an immediate clean up and

trash removal after dinner is served.

Although there is some inconvenience in cooking seafood at home, all of us seafood lovers know that after each bite you realize the swift cleanup is worth it. Here are some seafood cooking tips that will make cooking fish as simple as 1-2-3!

The general rule for cooking fish is 8-10 minutes per inch at 350°F or when it is at an internal temperature of 145°F. If the fish is cooked in sauce or in foil, add 5 minutes to the cooking time.

Fish is done when the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily at its thickest part. Opaque means preventing light from travelling through and therefore not transparent or translucent.

Shrimp and scallops become opaque when fully cooked also. One pound of shrimp added to boiling water should be simmered for 3 to 5 minutes. Scallops should also be boiled or grilled for 3 to 5 minutes depending on your preference. Do not overcook.

Oysters and clams should be cooked steamed or grilled until the shells pop open and it’s the same with mussels, but they will only take half the time as the oysters and clams.

Benefits of Fish & Fish Oil

Apparently, you can’t eat enough fish. Not only is it good for our immune system as times like these call for, but there are several other benefits the Omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood provide. A healthy body needs its Omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are incredibly essential for your body and brain.

Omega 3 lowers cholesterol, can fight depression and anxiety, it promotes brain health, improves risk factors for heart disease, fights age related mental decline, may help prevent cancer, promotes healthy joints, skin and, most importantly, it is great for the heart. Where do you get this fatty acid? It comes from several sources including fish and nuts. Google it… it’s all true!

Ideally, we all know we should get 2 to 4 servings of fish per week. Oily fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, canned sardines/anchovies, striped bass, and herring have the highest percentages of Omega-3 oil content followed by cod, halibut, flounder, trout, mussels, oysters, swordfish and snapper (not in any particular order). A six ounce serving, 2 to 4 times a week, will supply a beneficial dose of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Live Well...Eat Fish Scott Dolan

APRIL 2020 TIDE CHART Florida, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sarasota Bay

April 2020

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

Phase

1

We

5:54p

High Tide 1.9

High Tide

2:27a

Low Tide -0.2

Low Tide

7:20a

7:48p

1:05p

2:27a

1st

2

Th

7:27p

1.9

3:42a

-0.3

7:19a

7:49p

2:05p

3:21a

3

Fr

11:57a

1.4

9:04p

1.9

4:44a

-0.3

3:55p

1.2

7:18a

7:50p

3:09p

4:13a

4

Sa

12:05p

1.4

10:25p

1.9

5:36a

-0.3

5:10p

1.0

7:17a

7:50p

4:15p

5:01a

5

Su

12:19p

1.5

11:32p

2.0

6:21a

-0.3

6:06p

0.6

7:16a

7:51p

5:23p

5:45a

6

Mo

12:34p

1.6

6:59a

-0.1

6:56p

0.4

7:15a

7:51p

6:30p

6:27a

7

Tu

12:32a

1.9

12:52p

1.7

7:33a

0.1

7:45p

0.1

7:14a

7:52p

7:39p

7:08a

8

We

1:28a

1.8

1:13p

1.9

8:03a

0.4

8:34p

-0.2

7:13a

7:52p

8:47p

7:48a

9

Th

2:24a

1.7

1:38p

2.1

8:28a

0.6

9:25p

-0.3

7:12a

7:53p

9:55p

8:29a

10

Fr

3:23a

1.5

2:06p

2.2

8:48a

0.8

10:20p

-0.4

7:10a

7:53p

11:02p

11

Sa

4:33a

1.3

2:38p

2.3

9:03a

1.0

11:20p

-0.4

7:09a

7:54p

12

Su

6:14a

1.1

3:15p

2.3

9:00a

1.0

7:08a

7:54p

12:08a

10:51a

13

Mo

3:57p

2.1

12:27a

-0.3

7:07a

7:55p

1:09a

11:45a

14

Tu

4:51p

2.0

1:41a

-0.2

7:06a

7:55p

2:05a

12:41p

15

We

6:19p

1.7

2:56a

-0.1

7:05a

7:56p

2:55a

1:37p

16

Th

11:34a

1.5

8:22p

1.6

4:00a

-0.1

3:43p

1.3

7:04a

7:56p

3:40a

2:33p

17

Fr

11:39a

1.6

9:54p

1.6

4:51a

0.0

5:05p

1.1

7:03a

7:57p

4:19a

3:28p

18

Sa

11:50a

1.6

10:59p

1.6

5:33a

0.1

5:54p

0.8

7:02a

7:58p

4:54a

4:21p

19

Su

12:02p

1.6

11:51p

1.6

6:07a

0.2

6:32p

0.6

7:01a

7:58p

5:26a

5:13p

20

Mo

12:13p

1.7

6:36a

0.4

7:06p

0.4

7:00a

7:59p

5:57a

6:04p

21

Tu

12:36a

1.6

12:23p

1.8

6:59a

0.5

7:38p

0.2

6:59a

7:59p

6:27a

6:55p

22

We

1:16a

1.6

12:35p

1.9

7:19a

0.6

8:10p

0.1

6:58a

8:00p

6:57a

7:47p

23

Th

1:54a

1.5

12:50p

2.0

7:36a

0.7

8:43p

-0.1

6:57a

8:00p

7:29a

8:40p

24

Fr

2:32a

1.4

1:11p

2.2

7:51a

0.8

9:19p

-0.2

6:57a

8:01p

8:02a

9:34p

25

Sa

3:15a

1.3

1:37p

2.3

8:06a

0.9

10:00p

-0.2

6:56a

8:01p

8:39a

10:30p

26

Su

4:07a

1.2

2:07p

2.3

8:20a

1.0

10:47p

-0.3

6:55a

8:02p

9:21a

11:26p

27

Mo

5:18a

1.2

2:43p

2.3

8:30a

1.1

11:43p

-0.3

6:54a

8:03p

10:07a

28

Tu

3:26p

2.3

6:53a

8:03p

10:59a

12:22a

29

We

4:20p

2.1

12:47a

-0.2

6:52a

8:04p

11:56a

1:17a

30

Th

5:36p

2.0

1:56a

-0.2

6:51a

8:04p

12:57p

2:08a

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

Full

9:13a 10:00a

3rd

New

1st

34

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

Casey Key Shoreline

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 3

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 47 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 45 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 40

The Highs and Lows of Properties Sold on Siesta Key

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

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

HIGHEST PRICED SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTY: 4001 Flamingo Avenue, Sarasota, $2,600,000 Beautiful North Siesta Key estate property! This stunning home has 4,587 square feet of pristine living space.

Located in the Bay Island subdivision this home features 3-bedrooms and 3.5 baths. This home also features so many extras including wet bar, pool with custom enclosure, and boat ramp. Heaven awaits.

Courtesy of Michael Saunders LOWEST PRICED SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTY: 5563 Cape Aqua Drive, Sarasota, $480,000 Great location only a 3-minute walk to world famous #1 Siesta Beach. 2 bedroom / 2 bath home in desirable Siesta Isles. Home is partially renovated with impact glass. Either finish renovation or tear down & build new on the 14,050 square foot lot. Existing home has split bedroom floorplan, den/ office (add a Murphy bed), designer stone flooring, 2-car garage & open floor plan. Large yard with room for a pool. This is a much sought after location just steps to the beach & close to Siesta Village with all its shops & entertainment. Property is being sold as is..

Courtesy of ReMax Tropical Sands Highest Priced Condo: 20 Whispering Sands Drive, #102 & #103, Sarasota, $1,395,000 Rarely available DOUBLE UNIT with 4 bed/4 bath 2,746 square foot 1st floor condo in Whispering Sands. Walk right out to the private crystal sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. It is a true home, not just a vacation condo. Having combined 2 units into one, you now have two refrigerators, two kitchen sinks, two ovens, and an extra-large kitchen island. Room for a large family and entertaining.

The unit has been elegantly remodeled with crown molding, wainscoting, new cabinets and granite or quartz counters in the baths, and remote controlled Lowest Priced Condo: 5830 Midnight Pass Road, #36, Sarasota, $292,500 Completely remodeled unit, private covered parking 10-steps from your front door. Kitchen has solid surface countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and is professionally decorated. Queensize Murphy bed and full-size sleeper sofa. This villa

NO SCHEDULED OPEN HOUSES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE PRIVATE SHOWINGS OR VIRTUAL TOURS

has an updated kitchen, beautiful bathroom, and a complete living area. The patio has lounge chairs and coffee table. It overlooks 1 of the 3 pools. This villa gets the morning sun, which makes it very comfortable to go out in the morning with your cup of coffee. A very short walk to our fabulous white sandy private beach leads you to spectacular turquoise tropical waters.

hurricane shutters. There is also a hidden Murphy Bed on the lanai. The two combined lanais allow you to walk out directly to the pool and private beach. This double unit offers space, luxury, and plenty of activities within the association: shuffle board; two separate swimming pools; kayaking; onsite grilling and Tiki huts on the beach; club house, exercise room, and 900 feet of sparkling sugar white private beach. A short .4 mile walk to the shops and restaurants of quaint Siesta Village. Come see for yourself all that this unit and community have to offer! There are 72 units in the south tower and 12 floors.

Courtesy of Coldwell Banker

Our private beach is complete with beach chairs and lounges. Even though this is a studio villa, it contains all the amenities of the larger villas and condos. This unit has a 7-night minimum Saturday to Saturday rental policy..

Courtesy of ReMax Tropical Sands

Just Sold! 5774 Aaron Ct. For Financing Call

SETH: 941. 342. SOLD (7653) AL: 941. 479. 1175

NMLS# 1783476

Marty Remillard

Al re Nemo

Seth Westerb erg

NMLS#343653

We sold this beau.ful home in Sarasota, so we could begin our search for a new place on Siesta Key. Al of the Westerberg Group is a real professional. He was pa.ent, knowledgeable, incredible to work with, and sold our house in under a week for top dollar! -Liz B.

Let us be your bridge to paradise!

No Lender Fees 941. 223.9416

Come take advantage of the low interest rates

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

LE NG A S DI N PE

APRIL 2020

322 Island Circle,Siesta Key, Florida

$875,000

35

D

D

L So

L So

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

27th State Media LLC

5326 Calle Florida, Sarasota, Florida

Palm Island - Paradise on Siesta Key. This house is a 3 minute walk to Siesta Beach. Huge pool area with gazebo perfect for entertaining. Live in the existing 2,341 SF 3 BD/2 BA home or split into 2 lots. Modern vintage block home with out stone cloors in some rooms.

You will love Palm Island, close to everything, yet secluded. Being sold turnkey furnished.

$739,000

214 Island Circle, Sarasota, Florida

Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on 2nd level makes nice office space.

Screened pool area. Short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life of Siesta Village.

$974,000

D

D

L So

L So

5563 Cape Aqua Drive, Sarasota, FL

Great location only a 3 minute walk to world famous #1 Siesta Beach. 2 BR / 2 BA home in desirable Siesta Isles. Home is partially renovated. 14,050 sf lot. Existing home has split bedroom floorplan, den/office (add a Murphy bed), designer stone flooring, 2 car garage and open floor plan. Large yard with room for a pool. This is a much sought after location just steps to the beach and close to Siesta Village. Property is being sold as is.

Bring your ideas.

$559,000

1122 Horizon View Drive, Siesta Key, Florida

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

$899,000

165 Island Circle, Sarasota Florida

Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Palm Island Paradise on Siesta Key. Excellent 2nd home or investment property. A cute beach house a short stroll to famous Siesta Beach. This house is located on a tropical lagoon with a fenced yard with room for a pool and a dock to relax with your fishingpole while enjoying the gulf breezes. This house has been updated with updated kitchen and baths is just a short walk to all the shopping, bistros & nightlife Siesta Key village has to offer. You will love Palm Island, “An Island on Siesta Key�, close to everything , yet secluded. Being sold turnkey furnished.

$575,000

36

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

Siesta Hotel

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 1

architecture being used for the garage.

the end of April, but we are not firm on that schedule as yet.

O nce t h at o cc u r s a n appl ic at ion i s made, a community meeting is required, and then the review of the application by the Plan n ing Commission.

U l t i m a t e l y, the Cou nt y Com m i s sion w i l l proceed. This process alone is at least 6 months.

W hat feat ures of the ne w hotel will distinguish it from oth e r Sara s ot a Hot el s a n d specifically from other hotel ac c o m mod at ion s on Sie sta Key? Probably the most interesting experience will be that checkin will occur on the top floor, with a panoramic view from Bay to Gulf. A patron will enter the hotel form a ramped “porte cochere,” be greeted and take an elevator to the top floor. The hotel will have a 6,000 square foot multi-function area, a rooftop pool, a small lobby bar for patron service, and it is planned that there will be a light selfserve breakfast. There will be no in-house restaurant.

What will be the greatest benefit for Siesta Ke y whe n th e n e w h otel i s completed?

Will the hotel be designed as a mixed use property?

No. The parking garage across the street will include about 6,000 square feet of commercial space and 200 parking spaces.

Do you plan to incorporate

Perspective View

shops as well as parking?

Yes, in the parking garage.

The park i ng garage will accommodate what will likely

be two commercial uses, as yet undetermined.

Will guests be able to walk to the beaches and into town?

Yes, there is a beach access less than a quarter of a mile east of the hotel, directly across Midnight Pass Road.

You told the Siesta Sand that European visitors are a part of your focus. Can you tell us how the exterior and interior d e s ig n w ill a p p e al t o t h i s audience?

The real advantage is that tour bookers have long expressed a concern that the lack of a “flagged hotel” on Siesta Key has been a limiting factor in organizing charter bookings into Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

Where do you stand with the zoning department, and when do you ant ic ipate breaking ground?

Again, we would hope to break g rou nd i n 202 2 . Wit h t he s e plans in hand, we are finalizing the site plans necessary for the special exception request. A preapplication appearance before the County Development Review Committee (coordinated initial staff comment) would be the next step following completion of the site plan. That could happen by

This will be one of only two hotels on the Key, and the only one sporting a major “flag.” The investment in the hotel a nd pa rk i ng ga rage i s likely to approach $40 million, if not more, into a commercial area that has stag nated. The closing of the old Stickney Point Bridge in the 60’s essentially stranded this commercial district to t he poi nt of blight. Aside from cleaning up the area and en h a nc i ng t he t a x ba s e, t he improvements associated with this development will in effect create a new “driveway” entry for the condos and residential areas to the east and south.

When the hotel is completed, how many seasonal and year-round new jobs do you anticipate creating?

Our current plan is an opening in mid to late 2022. The hotel will employ approximately 110.

D o yo u fe el th at yo u a r e beginning to win the support your fellow Siesta Key residents for your project?

We h ave t r ie d h a rd t o b e t ra n spa rent wit h ever yt h i ng t h at we do. T h at i s why we have agreed to stories like this, and have offered our planning r e n de r i n g s. Fr o m t h e s e we get feedback, which we have accom modated wherever it makes sense. As we t ravel Continued on nexts page

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Siesta Hotel

APRIL 2020

Off the Key

Continued from previous page

Peacock Street View

t h roug h t he zon i ng pro cess we will get a better handle on community support and concern as we will be required to hold a publ ic meet i ng b efore t he Planning Commission hears any zoning requests.

How are the latest renderings

d i f fe r e n t f r o m t h e p r e v i o u s version?

The previous renderings were more about how the interior of the hotel might function. We had not paid much attention to the exterior, so the previous rendering had a fairly commercial, “highway hotel” t y pe of look. T h at wa s just a “place holder,” as exteriors can be made any way you want,

once t he f u nc t ion a l de sig n i s complete. Du r i ng t he en su i ng m o n t h s we wo rk e d w it h t h e architect to solidify the owner’s intent that the exterior reflects the modern character that has been the goal along. By the way, this is where we appreciated feedback.

We got several comments on the previous renderings, and although we knew they were a place holder, the commenters did not. Their comments expressed a wish that we would produce something more u n ique a nd less com mercial,

which was our plan all along.

Editors Note: More renderings online at siestasand.net

WILLOW CHASE

37

Continued from page 18

that the influenza that killed him was similar to the Spanish Flu of 1918 that afflicted over a billion worldwide in that year and killed 22 million.

Soon 155 soldiers at Fort Dix were confirmed to test positive for the same swine flu antibodies found in Lewis.

Needless to say, none of this was what anyone wanted to hear.

F. David Matthews, secretary of health, education, and welfare said this in February of 1976: “There is evidence there will be a major flu epidemic this coming fall. The indication is that we will see a return of the 1918 flu virus that is the most virulent form of the flu. In 1918 a half million Americans died. The projections are that this virus will kill one million Americans in 1976.”

The full-on freak-out was on. A meeting between President Ford and virologists at the White House in March of 1976 plotted this strategy: 80 percent of the US population would need to be vaccinated to avoid an epidemic in the fall. Efforts began to develop a vaccine. But then like now, the forecast was that it would take at least a year to complete the task. Why? Because of the testing and human trials that were needed to assure the vaccine’s safety. The Democratic congress eventually intervened to speed the process along by indemnifying the vaccine producers after two members of the American Legion died mysteriously from what later came to be recognized as the first cases of Legionnaires disease but which at the time were assumed to be the result of the dreaded swine flu that had, as mentioned, been predicted to eventually kill 1 million Americans.

The vaccine was ready by October

has allowed us to thrive as a species.

It is the capability referred to when you hear someone say ‘follow your instincts,’ or ‘listen to your heart.’ It’s not just a cliché. It refers to something deep inside us that should be trusted. It’s why our founders thought it so important to give us a free press. They trusted that if we heard from all sides, we’d be able to figure things out for ourselves.

At present it doesn’t look to be likely that we have an easy time ahead of us. But it is equally unlikely that we’re facing the all-consuming disaster some predict. So, as we work and stay close to home over the coming weeks and possibly months, perhaps we should just resolve to simply make the best of this new reality. Maybe this is a good time to catch up on some reading, tackle some home improvement projects you may have been putting off, take a walk or a bike ride, visit the beach, play some board games with the family, reach out to friends and family members who may need some comforting. And don’t text.

Call! There’s something reassuring about a human voice.

If you have a needed skill or the financial resources, donate time or money to help your neighbors. NBA player Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers donated $100,000 to help support the staff of the arena where his team plays its home games after the NBA’s suspension cut off or severely diminished many of their incomes. That action makes any of his on-court heroics pale by comparison.

And ask yourself this: Is there any other place you would rather be to face these troubled times?

Finally, remember: this too shall pass.

1,1976. By October 11 about 40 million Americans had been immunized.

Then the wheels really fell off.

Three senior citizens in California died suddenly after receiving their shots. The media frenzy was immediate, jumping to the conclusion that the new vaccine must have been responsible for the deaths. Now the vaccine, not the swine flu, was causing the panic.

Trust i n Cong ress a nd the executive branch reached a new low. Those of you old enough to remember likely recall how Gerald Ford was cast as a bumbling fool by comics and political opponents alike. Remember Chevy Chase’s impersonations on SNL? In November, Ford lost the Presidential election to Jimmy Carter. Conventional wisdom cites his pardon of Richard Nixon as the major reason for that loss. But many say it was actually due to the failed response and overblown fear surrounding the coming swine flu epidemic that in the end never came close to the severity predicted.

In fact, as the RealClearPolitics piece from 2008 reported “the 19761977 flu season was the most flu-free since records had been kept.”

The lesson?

Listen to a variety of news sources and listen carefully for the ring of truth. The capacity to judge the truth – based on visual clues like body language, tone, inflection, and the consideration of a source’s possible motives – is a keen but often under-appreciated capability we humans have cultivated as we have evolved over the past 200,000 years.

It is in fact, in large measure what

Sarasota real estate update ISLAND REEF

27th State Media LLC

TEAM DUNN RELATIONSHIPS

PREMIER DOWNTOWN LOCATION

UNE RELATION

for life

pour la vie.

11-Year Recipients of the

Maurice Menager 8779 Midnight Pass Road, #101H | Offered at $465,000 Two bedrooms | Two bathrooms | 1,303 SF

SIESTA KEY NEW CONSTRUCTION

1338 Calais Circle | Offered at $500,000 Four bedrooms | Three bathrooms | 2,576 SF

1723 Bay Street | Offered at $775,000 Four bedrooms | Three bathrooms | 2,237 SF

PALM BAY CLUB

REALTOR MOBILE

®

941.238.8119

MauriceMenager@michaelsaunders.com

Lin Dunn

REALTOR®, SRES, LSS, LSE MOBILE

941.809.2154

LinDunn@michaelsaunders.com

TeamDunn.michaelsaunders.com

4849 Featherbed Lane | $1,219,500 | Sold Four bedrooms | Four bathrooms | 3,744 SF

5963 Midnight Pass Road, #342 Two bedrooms | Two bathrooms | 1,012 SF

5100 Ocean Blvd | Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941.349.3444

38

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

Your April Horoscope • ARIES (March 21–April 19): Pluto may be slow-moving, but when it makes direct contact with other planets, you’re going to feel it. On April 4th, it aligns with expansive Jupiter for the first time in 12 years, but the two haven’t meet in your professional realm since the American Revolution! Pluto brings profound change and Jupiter represents growth. As they say, anyone can see the challenges, but it’s the wise optimist who spots the opportunities. What new initiative have you been waiting to enact? • TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Finding new ways to stay in touch with your inner circle has been a priority, and you might serendipitously reconnect with someone especially important on the 4th, when Jupiter and Pluto connect in your house of expanded horizons for the first time since the American Revolution! Your comfort-loving sign is happy at Chateau Toro, but here’s your chance to make some long-desired changes to make it even homier once the Sun enters your sign on the 19th. • GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Your ruler, expressive Mercury, is back to “full speed aheadâ€? and is moving forward at a quite clip. Since it rules how you think and communicate, it’s important for you to be honest about your feelings, but also to keep a positive attitude for your sake and others’. No need to stop being innovative about work and your pursuits. In fact, when Mercury tours your tech center from the 10th to the 27th, you might come up with a brilliant new strategy! • CANCER (June 21-July 22): You prefer to socialize in person and not limit your PDAs, but lately you’ve become very creative about keeping your personal and social interactions authentic. If you’ve been uncomfortable learning new technology (like video conferencing platforms), this is a perfect time to let someone walk you through it. The Sun enters your digital domain on the 19th, followed by communicator Mercury on the 27th. This is the time to get really familiar with all kinds of new apps! • LEO (July 23–August 22): This month, tackle those organizational challenges you keep putting off for a “rainy day.â€? It might be sunny out, but head right for that closet or desktop on the 4th, when Jupiter and Pluto connect for the first time in 12 years—and their first meetup in practical Capricorn and your systematic sixth house in centuries! You might have a flash of professional inspiration on the 26th, when your ruler, the Sun, aligns with game-changing Uranus in your career corner! • VIRGO (August 23-September 22): If there’s one thing your sign excels at (and of course, Virgo, there are many), it’s making the best possible use of your time. If you’re at home and your interactions are restricted, take advantage by throwing yourself into your hobbies and those creative projects that you never have room for. On the 4th, when Jupiter and Pluto form an exceeding rare connection in your inventive, artistic zone, get out your watercolors or guitar and tap into the muse! • LIBRA (September 23–October 22): Your aesthetic, upbeat sign always finds the silver lining in every storm cloud, and right now, Libra, you might

www.siestasand.net

By Suzanne Gerber be too busy rearranging furniture, hanging new art or painting the bedroom to even notice all the hubbub happening around you! A great day for a significant change in your home environment is the 4th, when expansive Jupiter and transformative Pluto form a super-rare mashup in your domestic quarters. Need inspo? That’s what Pinterest was invented for! • SCOR PIO (Oc tober 2 3 – November 21): Couples may already be connecting in new and different ways as a result of more at-home time together. April is actually a great month for resurrecting favorite old activities, whether board games, card games or starting a creative venture. The radiant Sun enters your partnership zone on the 19th, then fist-bumps game-changing Uranus there on the 26th. This could bode well for singles, especially if you’re being more open-minded with your right-swiping! • SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21): Get your house in order—literally and metaphorically— on the 3rd, when expressive Mercury forms its annual meetup with soulful Neptune in Pisces and your domestic quarters. Have you wanted to create a space to work out in or meditate? This is the ideal time to make those shifts. And when the Sun enters your organized sector on the 19th, you can dive into that major decluttering project you’ve been waiting to do since‌forever! • CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19): A super-rare opportunity to do something wildly out of character comes on the 4th, when expansive Jupiter and transformative Pluto align in your sign, something that hasn’t happened since before the American Revolution!

It’s a time to declare your own independence from a limiting situation, even if you’re as nervous about it as you are excited. And when the year’s only Taurus new moon lights up your creativity zone on the 22nd, do something that makes your soul smile! • AQUARIUS ( Januar y 20 –Februar y 18): Normally, you’re pretty clear about what you’re thinking and feeling and have little trouble expressing it. But on the 4th, when supersizer Jupiter forms a super-rare conjunction with shadowy Pluto in your unconscious zone, things might be kicking around that you can’t quite bring to clear awareness. No need to let things fester, Aquarius. Talking to a close friend, coach or therapist can help you unravel these feelings. And you’ll feel much lighter once you get to the bottom of this! • PISCES (February 18–March 20): You won’t have to go looking for inspiration on the 3rd, when expressive Mercury swings into its annual mashup with your ruler, soulful Neptune, in Pisces. Your creative right brain will be perfectly in sync with your linear, logical left, and you might hit on a brilliant idea that could actually be profitable! But wait until Mercury enters your financial sector (10th to 27th) to see if it really is.

Suzanne Gerber (www.starsandstoneshealing.com, a locally based intuitive astrologer, shamanic/energy practitioner and spiritual life coach, is available for readings and healing sessions over the phone (by appointment).

Recipient of Best of Sarasota Home Care Award

Serving Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties

FL License #230517

 Â? Â? Â? Â? Â

­ � � €� ­ ‚

ƒ

941-925-2433

www.abridgeforindependence.com

Join us in a fun, upbeat and positive living environment!

941-927-0139 www.crotonmanor.com

KIMBERLY STANFORD, RN, BSBA, QMHP Business Owner/Operator

OFFERING ONLY PRIVATE ROOMS

• 2ND Month Free • Free Move-In Truck • Entire Facility Carpeted • Free Lock & Keys • Big Garage Bay For Loading And Unloading • Climate Controlled 941.315.5222 5260 Tamiami Trail • Sarasota, FL 34231 www.thelockup.com

Handmade Antique Rugs Bought and Sold

Florida’s Largest Selection of Antique Oriental and Chinese Rugs for 45 Years

Mosby oriental rugs

941-925-1025 by appointment www.antiqueorientalrugs.com

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

Casey Key Setback

of Sarasota to handle the work.

“Project Management” — internal expenses, including efforts to obtain access across private property on Casey Key — would account for the remaining $212,300 of the total, Anderson said.

The tentative staff schedule calls

APRIL 2020

Laying the groundwork

At the outset of h is Feb. 4 presentation, Anderson reprised

39

Fish Farm

Continued from page 3

for the design to be completed

by April 2021, followed by an advertisement for construction bids to be published in May 2021.

27th State Media LLC

the overview of the Casey Key sit uat ion t h at staff provided the commission in June 2019.

The step revetment constructed in 1990 on North Casey Key Road is about 1,600 feet long, he noted.

Count y staff has undertaken m ajor repa i r s in that area for at least the past t h ree yea rs, A nde r s o n pointed out. “We have discovered significant voids under the road — ‘rental space,’ you may say — [that necessitated the installation of] several hundred cubic yards of fill to keep the road stable and to keep it safe for the public traversing it.”

He also showed the board members slides illustrating the

LIC#CGC060852

amount of erosion on the Casey Key shoreline since 2007. “It’s probably about a 75% loss in 10 years.”

Turning to the mid-key site, he noted that that is south of Blackburn Point Road. A natural bluff has eroded just south of a seawall, he added. The potable water line next to the road “is comprised,” Anderson said.

“T here i s not f u nd i ng for con st r uct ion yet,” Anderson stressed in regard to the proposed project.

If the county were to cover the expense, he pointed out, $1.2 million in annual revenue it receives from one type of gas tax could be used. Additionally, the county has been setting aside about $2.5 million a year out of other gas tax revenue to cover gaps in project funding, including the road resurfacing program, he explained.

Staff estimates the debt service on a loan to pay for the Casey Key initiatives would total about $900,000 over 10 years, he said.

Continued from page 26

commercial [fish] production.”

The Ocean Era website also notes that Kampachi Worldwide Holdings was a finalist for SeaWebb’s Seafood Champion Awards for Vision. That webpage explains, “Kampachi Fa r m s s e e s d e ve l o p m e n t o f offshore aquaculture as a pressing environmental imperative, and a tremendous economic opportunity.

The compa ny is pursui ng environmentally-sound production of high-value marine fish in offshore sites, using innovative engineering and biology, and working closely with regulators and the conservation community.”

S e aWe b b ’s w e b s i t e p o i n t s out, “First presented in 2006, the Seafood Champion Awards annually recognize individuals and companies for outstanding leadership in promoting e nv i ron me nt a l ly r e sp on sible seafood. SeaWebb established the award to honor those in the seafood industry whose past and/or present contributions demonstrate a commitment to innovation that leads to change.”

40

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

CLEANING SERVICES

• Best Western Plus Siesta Key – AAA -3 Diamond Property, Free shuttle service to and from Siesta Key 941-924-4900, 6600 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

LIGHTING

Green Magic Cleaning Service

• Custom Lampshades • Recovering • Lighting Components

“Residential and Commercial”

We don’t cut corners, we dust them.

All U.S. Vendors!

A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

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

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

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

Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500

AUTOMOTIVE DELIVERY

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

(941) 780-4248

Morlee, Roseart, J Harris & Sons and Lakeshore

3519 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd. • Sarasota, FL 34234

941-312-5183

• DRIVER for YOUR vehicle, cargo and pets. Sarasota/Siesta Key/Port Charlotte area to MICHIGAN ONLY. Offering services that carriers/haulers are unable to provide. Background check.

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

BOAT SALES

Spindrift

410 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

Yacht Sales

Brian Mouldey

“Licensed & Bonded Yacht Broker” Check out Brian on Facebook @ spindriftbrian

Direct: 941-374-1697 Office: 941-383-7781 Email: spindriftbrian@gmail.com

BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS

Captain Jacks Yacht Charters

10% OFF ONE ITEM WITH THIS AD! One Coupon Per Customer • Expires 3/31/2020

MEDICAL

• power washing • pool cage restoration

CAGE RESTORATION MASTERS Paint Your Pool Cage Today!

315-395-5889

www.cagemasters.org

• Hawk’s Nest Construction Inc. is a certified Class A general contractor licensed in all phases of construction. Owner, Mark Hawkins Sr. personally oversees every aspect of your project from start to finish, using only the best and most reliable licensed artisan and craftsmen. His passion is delighting his clients by turning their homeimprovement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-650-9499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com Lic#CGC060852.

• Nutter Construction is your local Siesta Key builder. We have a strong team with over 30 years of combined high end residential construction experience in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. We offer custom construction, remodeling services, management and consulting, concierge service, and we are committed to protecting our resources by using construction techniques that are environmentally friendly. Call us at 941-924-1868, visit our showroom at 3534 South Osprey Avenue, or check us out online at www.nutterconstruction.com. LEED AP | FL Licensed Building Contractor CBC060004 | FL Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate BK322256 | Certified Home Inspector HI4630

Capt. Jack Wallace 941.320.8700 www.sarasotachartervessel.com Pleasure Cruises only Sunsets/Weddings/Special Occasions Hourly, Daily, Weekly

• CB’s Saltwater Outfitters – CB’s Saltwater Outfitters is an ORVIS Endorsed Outfitter Fishing Charter Service serving Siesta Key as well as Longboat Key, Lido Key, Sarasota, and Venice.

Our veteran guides offer exciting Fishing Adventures for anglers of all ages from novice to the expert. See our website: www.CBsOutfitters.com or stop in their store for additional info.

1240 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key. (941)349-4400.

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

J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

941.926.7546

www.dermatologyexperts.com

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

HELENE M. HYLAND REALTOR®

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

5145 Ocean Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34242 Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

www.SheSellsSiestaKeySarasota.com

Denise Driscoll

REALTOR-Licensed Sales Associate

direct 941-586-6833 email denise.driscoll@exprealty.com web denisedriscoll.exprealty.com Curious about the Value of Your Home?

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

DRY CLEANERS

• Making things happen on Siesta Key with Real Estate agents Bob and Sheri Ruiz from Key Solutions Real Estate Group. If you are looking to buy or sell on the Key contact us. Bob Ruiz 941-544-3299 RobertRuizRR@aol.com, Sheri Ruiz 941-400-4186 SheriLasley@aol.com

RESTAURANTS

One Small Cinco Queso With Any Entreé Purchase One Small Cinco Queso reServationS accepted Per Table

Having Fun Fishing in The Sun

Environmentally Conscious Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service

DINE-IN ONLY!

941-400-2452 Veteran Owned Business

Dolphin Watch • SunSetS • half Day aDventure SailS

Call

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm Fri. & Sat. 11am-10 pm Closed Sunday

from your home or business

941-275-4647

ExEcutivE Shirt SErvicE • houSEhold itEmS • SamE day SErvicE availablE

HOUSE WATCH

eltorobravosarasota.com

House Watch Sarasota

Licensed and Insured Affordable and Dependable Service Solutions For Your Home While You Are Away

Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran 941-896-6400

www.KathleenD.net

R. BRuce Whittinghill, llc (941) 955-1864

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

CHURCH SERVICES • WEDNESDAY CHURCH - Traditional worship every Wednesday at 6 PM. Committed to reaching 55+ Widows, Widowers, Veterans, Singles, and Adults.

7811 Kennedy Ln., Sarasota, FL 34240. Pastor Trebor Britt, 941320-4309. SJG5232@verizon.net Insured, Bonded and Licensed by The National Home Watch Association.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

(941) 961-4309

www.SuncoastHomeConcierge.com

Southwest Mexican Food Sarasota FL 34231 and Bar

3218 Clark Road

NO

Sailing From Marina Jack, Sarasota

Bite Squad delivery Service

Expires 4/30/20 Expires 2/29/20

Free Pick Up & Delivery Service Tony Fudoli Sr. CAPTAIN tntfreedomfishing@yahoo.com

Fax 941-312-5683

www.lizslampshades.com Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10 AM- 6 PM

CONTRACTORS screen repair

www.siestasand.net

W

OP

EN

!

941.924.0006

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

RESTAURANTS

CONTINUED

APRIL 2020

TRANSPORTATION

CONTINUED

Airport Rides

Hair by

Cherene Carroll

Shear Perfection Master Stylist and Goldwell Color Specialist

Only Goldwell when you want the BEST CARE for your hair COLOR/HIGHLIGHTS/OMBRE/BALAYAGE

FREE 5-6 FOILS

any Evan’s Salon with color service 6620 Gateway Avenue Sarasota, FL 34231

315.480.6555

Hair Unlimited Lakeshore Village Plaza

3900 Clark Rd., Bldg. K, Sarasota, FL 34233

NEW CLIENTS $10.00 OFF

Kathy Sapp

Call 941-356-0495

Gordokat@gmail.com Open Monday thru Friday

New to Landings Shopping Center

(941) 706-0860

4850 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 (The Landings Shopping Center)

Walk-Ins Welcome

Specializing in Pink & White

Mon.- Sat. 9 AM-7 PM Sun. 11 AM-5 PM

Olde Fashion Barber Shop

Tapers • Flattops • Fades • Styling • Razor Cuts • Shaves

ther”

“Hot La

941-312-6001

Southgate Barber Shop

(Across from the Westfield Siesta Key Mall)

2081 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239

Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday through Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-2

www.OldStyleBarberShop.com SPECIAL SERVICES

Your Companion

Compassionate Company To Help You Through The Day

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

Please call for complimentary interview:

Patricia Newman from 9am-5pm

941-923-4301

SPORTS RENTALS / ACCESSORIES • Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key Village. 941-554-4242 • Siesta Key Bike & Kayak – Located on Siesta Key in Capt Curts Village serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach and Sarasota. We offer bikes, kayak rentals, kayak eco tours, paddleboards and scooters.

1224 Old Sickney Pt Rd. 941-346-0891 • Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797

TRANSPORTATION • Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free service on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200.

• Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I or taxi. Call 941-735-4732

HOMES FOR SALE

41

CONTINUED

white granite countertops and so much more. This is a must see. MLS# A4450026 $599,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-4004186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Water views Starting At Only with private deeded boat dock on deep water marina and 10 $ 941-928-9200 30 minute walk to Siesta Beach. This renovated 2/2 unit is tiled RIDE THE KEY FREE throughout. Slip will accommodate a 43’ boat on a 13k lb.

941.735.4732 15-20 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME lift. 1 car attached garage with attic storage. Gated property.

(Based upon traffic) All Ports In Florida MLS# A4449225, $545,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Stress Free • Smooth and Easy SERVICING Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

Siesta Key Beach Ask for Eddie Siesta Village • TRULY FABULOUS 2/2 WITH DIRECT GULF Turtle Beach VIEWS. This Gulfside, 1st-floor unit is perfectly positioned Restaurants and Accommodations DRIVER TIPS ONLY overlooking the pool & amazing direct gulf front views of Operating 10AM to 2AM Daily world-famous Siesta Key Beach!! Walk right out the patio www.JonnysOriginalFreeRide.com to the pool/beach - no stairs or elevators!! A very open, spacious, clean & cared for condo with full-sized washer/ dryer, expansive lanai, walk-in closets, and extra storage.

6342 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #415, SARASOTA, FL 34242 , MLS# A4444324, $1,050,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255 • NEWLY CONSTRUCTED Coastal Contemporary on the Grand Canal. Centrally located to Siesta Village and beaches.

Natural light abounds this 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathrooms open floor plan with direct walkout access to the open designed Sarasota to Airport Shuttle Tampa Airport saltwater pool and deck. Enjoy sunsets from your pool deck and Balconies. This home is minutes by boat, paddleboard or $ Limo/Taxi each way kayak to the Intercoastal Waterway. 4866 COMMONWEALTH DR, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4437382, $1,659,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255 • YEAR-ROUND SUNSETS! This 10th-floor unit is perfectly positioned to enjoy gorgeous beachfront views! A HOMES FOR SALE very spacious, light, bright, clean and cared-for condo with a split floor plan and walk-in closets. The hurricane impact sliding doors (replaced 2018) lead from the living room and bedrooms to the huge screened lanai. Furniture is negotiable.

6300 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #1009, SARASOTA, FL 34242 MLS# A4425862, $949,900, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255 • ABSOLUTELY STUNNING WATERFRONT HOME Designed to deliver the very BEST of ISLAND LIFE. Ideally situated mid-Siesta Key, this 6,000 square foot home affords easy access to both Siesta bridges, a quick walk to famed Siesta Beach, a short boat trip to the ICW and Gulf, and quick access to Siesta Key Village. 2 boat lifts (10k and 20k), a grotto-style salt-water pool and spa, a Tiki hut bar with mini kitchenette, and a screened sitting/dining area with builtin grill and outdoor gas fireplace. 1208 NORTHPORT DR, • AMAZING LOCATION! 3Bd/2BA Florida style ranch SARASOTA, FL 34242 MLS# A4461333, $3,295,000, Key home has it all! Don’t hesitate to see this tropical beauty! Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255 Meticulously maintained, Siesta Key Village and Beaches just minutes away. 1728 Billings St. $424K. For your personal viewing please call 941-587-4256. See additional pictures on Zillow!

• LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! GRAND CANAL HOME ON PALM ISLAND. 476 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. This ultimate family beach house is 2 blocks from Siesta Key Beach and 5 blocks from the Village. 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, heated pool, dock with electricity, even a working elevator. This beach oasis is well maintained and waiting for you! $1,250,000 MLS# 4443903 CONTACT DIANE GOODWIN, 941-706-6620, #LoveWhereYouLiveSRQ, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Across the street • DEEDED BEACH ACCESS!!! $875,000 1122 HORIZON from Siesta Beach with a private deeded boat dock and water VIEW DRIVE, SARASOTA, Florida. Your feet will be in the views! Renovated two bedroom, two bath. One car garage Gulf of Mexico in 60 seconds!!! This immaculate pool home with attic storage. Gated community on a deep-water marina. features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak floors Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickle ball, clubhouse. MLS# A4433033, and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 Bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms $539,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz along with the lower level bonus area for generational living or guests. The huge bonus area downstairs would be perfect Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - Priced to Sell. Largest floor plan at 1380 for storage, workout center, hobby room or workshop. The square feet in a 2/2 with spacious lanai overlooking the ICW oversized garage could handle your cars, boat, jet skis, and Bay to the east and the Gulf and Siesta sunsets to the west. kayaks & bikes. Extensive decks for enjoying your Island Amazing views from every room. Gated with every amenity. Paradise abound!! You are walking distance to renowned MLS# A4438186, $495,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, local dining and a marina. In addition to all that, next door is Turtle Beach Park with kayak and boat launch facilities. This Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• THE POINTE - Exquisitely renovated 2/2 with incredible is one of the closest properties to the beach without having 270 degree water views! Beautifully decorated and move- the direct beachfront price on a street of multi-million dollar in ready. Gated community with every amenity - pool, spa, properties. Quality concrete block construction throughout tennis, pickle ball, fitness, clubhouse, boat docks, kayak racks for peace of mind. A truly unique find!! Dan Miller, Re/Max and launch, picnic area, grills and on-site management. MLS Tropical Sands, 941-376-7442 #A4448625 $535,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri Continued on page 46 & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Bright and spacious 3/3 townhome directly across the street from Siesta Beach and yards to the ICW by boat. Deeded slip with 20k pound lift directly outside the unit. Attached garage. Gated community with tennis, pool, clubhouse, etc. MLS# A4447427, $649,900. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Your Island TO ADVERTISE CALL 941.312.0665 Paradise Awaits! Across the street from Siesta public beach, this 2 /2 showplace has been beautifully renovated. Tile Place your classified ad here for $6. throughout. Water views. Deeded dock behind the unit and (15 words) and $.10 for each additional attached 1 car garage. Gated with pool and tennis. MLS# A4451556, $599,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & word. Copy must be submitted Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. with payment on or before the • THE POINTE - This spectacular 9th floor unit has been 15th of the month prior to publication. totally and beautifully renovated with coastal colors to For display ads, complement the water views from every room. The light 2/2 please call 941.312.0665 for rates. features tile throughout., an all-new kitchen with stunning

Sarasota’s Premier “Chauffeur”

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY

27th State Media LLC

89

42

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

HOMES FOR SALE

• NEW ON THE MARKET, 2BR/ 2BA SIESTA KEY CONDO Great rental history/income for this updated 3rd floor unit. Walk to beach & Capt. Curts! Very social complex with heated pool/ clubhouse. Turnkey furnished! $345K Stacey Andrews, Andrews & Assoc. Realty 941-504-1649

• 1835 GOLDENROD ST, SARASOTA, 34239 - This charming home has been lovingly remodeled in 2015, with no expense spared.

Located in the desirable west-ofthe-trail neighborhood of Poinsettia Park 2, you’ll be only 1 mile to Siesta Key and 2 miles to downtown. Fall in love with the gorgeous tropical landscaping and large pool with its New Pebble-Tec Surface, relaxing waterfall, sun-shelf, and Polar Plunge. This “Selby-like retreat” features 2 bedrooms, plus an office (possible third bedroom), 2 full baths, and several amenities. Enjoy the dining trellis, fire pit, puttputt golf, and outdoor shower, all surrounded by AstroTurf & pavers for easy maintenance. Inside boasts an abundance of natural light with “floor-to-ceiling” windows and French doors, beautiful bamboo wood floors, and designer features in the kitchen and baths. Many more surprises await, a must see home in the heart of Sarasota! Make this tropical oasis your piece of paradise! KW on THE Water, MLS # A4444487, $699,000, presented by The Westerberg Group, Call Seth: 941-342-SOLD (7653).

941.312.0665

Beach Road

CONTINUED

• WATERFRONT PROPERTY with OVERSIZED LOT! Located just off the Grand Canal, this home features 90 feet of concrete seawall including a dock with electric, lighting, and water. The original block ranch home sits on an oversized 18,000 Sq. Ft. lot, situated on a private cul-de-sac, located on a designated Canopy Road. Boasting 2200 Sq. Ft. of living space, this split floor plan includes 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage. Travertine pool deck and cage were updated in 2017.

Just around the corner from Siesta Village and a mile to Siesta Beach provides for the ultimate Siesta Key Experience! KW On The Water, MLS #A4440889, $1,250,000, presented

by The Westerberg Group, Call Seth:941-342-SOLD (7653) or Al: 856278-7522.

• Rarely available home in Ringling Park! Situated on a double corner lot, this home has over 2,200 Sq.Ft. of interior living space. From the foyer, you can bring guests to the formal living room or head to the extra large kitchen, which is the center of the home. This elegant kitchen has all white cabinetry & new stainless steel appliances. The spacious layout features roomy work zones for prep, clean up, and storage. Open to the kitchen is the wonderful Florida room with a wall of windows overlooking the gorgeous tropical backyard. The large master suite has a walk-in closet plus an en-suite bathroom with newly tiled flooring. Enjoy true Florida living in the spectacular backyard oasis! Just a half mile to Payne Park and downtown, you are in the heart of Sarasota, yet have the feeling of a quaint neighborhood.

90 S Jefferson Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237 A4463064, $599,000 Presented by the Westerberg group, Please call Seth Westerberg 941.342.

SOLD

nerWord Search

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 1

A staff report provided to the commission in advance of the meeting said the first habitable floor would have an elevation of 19.7 NAVD. The latter acronym is a standard used in flood plain areas in regard to elevation.

On the ground level, Merrill pointed out, the house on Lot 19 would have a footprint of only 299 square feet, and the home on Lot 18 would have a ground-level footprint of 291.

T he Federa l Emergenc y Management Agency (FEMA) does not allow more than 300 squa re feet at g rou nd level, for flood control purposes, he explained.

The houses would share an 1, 8 0 0 - s q u a r e -fo o t d r ive way c o mp o s e d o f p e r v i o u s a n d impervious pavers, Tippins and Merrill added. It would be a maximum of 86.9 feet seaward of the county’s Gulf Beach Setback Line.

As Commissioner Alan Maio noted in making a motion to approve t he Coastal Setback Variance (CSV) the petitioner was seeking, the two houses will meet the FEMA guidelines for coastal construction, and they will conform to county building codes.

The slab-on-grade house, Detert agreed, “needs to be done away with.”

Nonetheless, Detert reprised and expanded upon an argument she has made numerous times si nce she was elected to t he commission in November 2016. “I think it would be a nice signature of this board,” she said, “to have literally drawn a line in the sand and stick to it.”

She was referring to the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL), which is the county’s figurative line in the sand designed to protect native coastal vegetation and dunes, which, in turn, protect landward structures from storm surge damage.

Pointing out that she was a

Realtor and mortgage broker for 25 years, Detert added that she has been a cha mpion of property rights. Nonetheless, she continued, “I believe you get what you bought. … I think there’s a lot of overreaching going on here.”

Further, she told Merrill, “This is all your fault.”

Her first year on the board, she said, when such a Coastal Setback Va ria nce pet it ion was u nder consideration, she asked him why people would buy property seaward of the GBSL and then “get the nerve” to ask the County Com m ission for approva l to improve the property.

M e r r i l l t o l d h e r, D e t e r t continued, “‘Ninety-eight percent of the time the board approves [the requests],’ which I found startling and really wrong. … I think [we] should be approving them probably 10% of the time.”

Nonetheless, Detert added, “I don’t want to take it out on this particular project, which is probably better than most that I’ve seen.”

Duri ng the heari ng, David Balot, the owner of the 65 Beach Road parcel, explained that he had not bought it with the intent of tearing down the home. “I was originally just going to rent the house out.”

However, he cont i nued, he had envisioned his family and the family of his brother using it to spend time on Siesta Key. He and his brother have four ch i ldren each, he added. He finally realized, Balot said, that “two wives in one house with eight children does not work.”

With Commissioner Charles Hines absent from the public hearing, the final vote to approve the Coastal Setback Variance petition was 4-0.

Th reat of a new Cosent i no lawsuit against the county One person who addressed the commission during the March 11 public hearing was Siesta resident

Michael Cosentino, who has been engaged in litigation against the county since June 2016. He filed a complaint over the board’s 4-1 vote in May 2016 to vacate a 373-foot-long segment of North Beach Road.

Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh recently ruled against Cosentino on the final portion of that case.

“We’re getting ready to move it towards the appellate court,” Cosentino told the commission on March 11.

Then, Cosentino threatened to file a new complaint against t he boa rd i f it approved t he CSV petition before it that day.

“This meets none of the variance criteria,” he argued of the 65 Beach Road proposal.

“I wa s sho cked to not se e the county staff bring to your at tent ion” the la ng uage i n a cou nt y polic y t hat proh ibits increased residential densit y and intensity of construction on the barrier islands, Cosentino continued.

The county staff report did poi nt out, “T he propos ed improvements for both parcels represents a 124% (+3,172) increase in habitable area seaward of t he GB SL … r epr e s e nt i ng a substantial intensification of development in the [county’s] Coastal High Hazard Area as defined by the Comprehensive Plan and in conflict with the purposes of the Coastal Setback Code.”

The petition, Cosentino added, involves “a voluntary demolition that has nothing at all to do” with the County Code requirement for minimum reasonable use of private property.

During his rebuttal, Merrill stressed that the 65 Beach Road parcel will be divided into the two original plats.

Balot was not proposing three houses, Merrill pointed out. “We do meet that exact requirement” of the county policy that Cosentino had cited.

www.TheMariner.com

om

’s uit e

Kathleen D Sailing Catamarans Let’s go sailing, KATHLEEN D Sailing Catamarans, serving Siesta Key from 3 locations: Downtown Sarasota, Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island. If you would like to experience being on the water viewing Dolphin Watches, Sunset Sails, Snorkeling and Shelling call us at 941-870-4349 or go to our web site for detailed information www.kathleend.net USCG Certified for 20 passengers.

Answers to the WORD SEARCH from page 37 ®

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

Published by 27th State Media LLC Contributing Writers and Photographers will be noted with bylines.

Guest commentary not necessarily the opinion of 27th State Media LLC Reproduction without written permission prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

All business bios are extensions of the display advertisements.

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

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

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

P.O. BOX 35105, Sarasota, FL 34242 www.siestasand.net

www.siestasand.net

941.312.0665

APRIL 2020

27th State Media LLC

43

IMPORTANT NUMBERS Emergency (General)......................................................................911 Emergency Animal Clinic.............................................941-929-1818 Fishing & Hunting Licenses.........................................941-362-9888 FPL – Florida Power & Light........................................941-917-0708 FPL – Outage Report.................................................. 1-800-468-8243 Marriage License Bureau..............................................941-362-4066 Poison Info Center..................................................... 1-800-282-3171 Sarasota / Bradenton Intl. Airport..............................941-359-2770 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT).........................941-316-1234 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce..............................941-349-3800 Sheriff / non-emergency..............................................941- 861-1601 Waste Management........................................................941-924-1254

Sunset Beach Resort Siesta Key Dream Inn

44

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2020

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.net

Volleyball Fanatic

Morgan This month’s volleyball fanatic is Morgan of Bradenton. You’ll find her among hundreds of beach volleyball competitors on area beaches, especially the world famous Siesta Beach. She enjoys spectacular Siesta Key as often as possible. A graduate of USF, this marketing major enjoys country music, the movie “How to Be Single?“ and eats pizza at least once a week.

VOTED BEST PIZZERIA 4 YEARS IN A ROW AND BEST ITALIAN CUISINE 2 YEARS IN A ROW! NOW SERVING GLUTEN FREE PIZZA

New Gulf Gate location 6574 Superior Ave. Check out our new Bar! SIESTA KEY/GULF GATE 941.349.BROS (2767)

Less than 2 miles away from Siesta Key Beach

WE DELIVER UNTIL 4 a.m. EVERYDAY!

ANA MARIA ISLAND WE ALSO DELIVER TO THE BEACH!

105 Bridge Street Anna Maria Island 34217

LONGBOAT KEY 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive #4 - 941.383.5551

Open for Lunch & Dinner - Dine-In, Take-Out & Delivery 7 Days a Week!

NOW SERVING GLUTEN-FREE CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST! NOW SERVING VEGAN CHEESE!!!

NORTH PORT / VENICE ISLAND

Straight out of Hoboken, New Jersey... Nobody Makes Pizza Like We Do!

NOW SERVING PASTA DISHES AT ALL OUR LOCATIONS! Come check out our Bar in our New Gulf Gate Restaurant

Free slice for life with this tatoo

$4 OFF ANY ORDER OVER $25

THE BIGGEST PIZZA BY THE SLICE SHOWCASE IN ALL OF SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY, WITH THE BEST SLICE DEALS AVAILABLE TILL CLOSE!!!

PICK UP ONLY NOT FOR DELIVERY Expires Apr. 30, 2020

ANY DESSERT FOR FREE WITH ANY ORDER OVER $25 Expires Apr. 30, 2020

Serving Siesta Key Since 2004

NEW ARCADE ROOM AT OUR GG LOCATION

#1 TWO CHEESE SLICES + DRINK $6 #2 ANY TWO SLICES + ANY SOFT DRINK $7 #3 ANY SLICE + ANY BEER $7 #4 ANY 2 SLICES+ ANY BEER $10.00 all day long All locations are open for lunch