IV Siesta Sand - April 2019 by Brion Palmer

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ILLEGAL RENTALS Illegal short-term rental fine up to $5,000 wins County Commission’s unanimous approval

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PARKING WORKSHOP Variety of ideas given to staff to research as County Commission continues focus on easing traffic congestion and parking problems related to Siesta Public Beach

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KAHWA COFFEE

Siesta Key is a Spring Break Destination and Haven

Spring break vacations for college students have become an American tradition that is valued at least as much as summer vacations. Occurring from late February to mid-April, the spring break developed because U.S. schools at all levels have designated a week, or even two weeks, for suspending classes. Other countries also have spring breaks but Americans use it uniquely as a welcome opportunity for a beach vacation that features social diversions and relaxation, particularly somewhere with a warm climate. For students, the main goal of spring break is non-stop partying— ideally on Florida’s Atlantic or Gulf coast beaches. Not surprisingly, among Florida sites, Siesta Key with “America’s Best Beach” has become very popular.

Origin of Spring Break Vacations in Florida New Coffee and Craft Beer Garden in Captain Curt’s Village

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SIESTA SOUNDS

Fort Lauderdale is the origin of the spring break vacation, dating to the 1930s when Colgate University men’s swim team traveled there to practice for spring competitions in a much publicized trip during Christmas week of 1934. After a lull period during the Great Depression and World War II, college students rediscovered Fort Lauderdale in the 1950s. A gathering of about 20,000 students visited annually throughout that quiet decade. Although not low profile, they were

relatively well behaved on the beach and in the city, particularly in comparison to what was on the horizon.

Evolution after “Where the Boys Are” The game changer was the combination of a clever novel, record-breaking movie, and hit song— all entitled “Where the Boys Are.” The seminal event in the modern spring break was the publication in 1958 of Glendon Swarthout’s phenomenal book originally entitled “Unholy Spring.” It was inspired by his two weeks on the beaches of Fort Lauderdale during a break from teaching English at Michigan State University. Escaping from a bitter cold winter, his trip with some of his English Honors students provided experiences and personal observations that soon led to the influential novel. Published in the same year that oral contraceptives were approved by the FDA, the book tells the story of four girls who were students at a Midwestern university taking a spring vacation in Florida. In the opening scene, the assertive leader of the quartet expresses her opinion in class that premarital sex might be something young women should experience. Soon after arriving in Fort Lauderdale, this speech results in one of the girls losing her virginity when they go to the beach and find out where the boys are. Continued on page 27

The game-changer for spring break vacations was the movie “Where the Boys Are”

Complaints about dogs on Siesta Key beach arise again By Rachel Brown Hackney

Taylor Taylor continues drawing new fans into faithful following

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VOLUNTEER Meet Michael Knupp, volunteer at Conservation Foundation

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SAND CASTLES

SarasotaNewsLeader.com At least once a year, the issue arises. Most often it comes during a meeting of the Siesta Key Association (SKA). This time, it came up during a recent meeting of the Siesta Key Condominium Council. Following a presentation by Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and two county department leaders, an audience member who identified himself only as Rod explained that he had been coming to Siesta since 2006. Signage, reflecting county regulations, says, “No dogs on the beach,” Rod told Lewis. Yet, at Beach Access 2, around sunset, “There’ll be at least 20 dogs on leash …” Some of them defecate on the beach, Rod continued. And no one from the county confronts the owners, he added. The sign at that access — as at all beach access points on the Key —

clearly says, “‘No dogs,’” Rod reiterated his opening remark. “Is there any way they can enforce that?” “The sheriff will do it when he thinks it’s appropriate,” Lewis responded. “That is our challenge,” Nicole Rissler, director of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department added of the effort to keep dogs off the county’s beaches. “We have a great relationship with the Sheriff’s Office,” she stressed. Still, she acknowledged, “We know that’s an ongoing issue.” Not only are complaints common from visitors to Access 2, she indicated, but also from people at Beach Access 1, which is at the western end of Shell Road. Continued on page 36

Third emergency variance issued in the past year to stabilize a structure on Casey Key Road property Rachel Brown Hackney threatened by shoreline erosion By SarasotaNewsLeader.com For the third time in less than a year, the Sarasota County Commission has agreed to issue a Coastal Setback Class II Emergency Variance to property owners on Casey Key dealing with severe erosion.

With no indications that anyone opposed this latest petition, the commission voted unanimously on March 12 to approve the request. The item was listed on the agenda as “Presentation Upon Request,” and no board

member asked for a staff report. Chair Charles Hines did not have any cards, either, from people wanting to address the commission. Continued on page 31

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Author of book on Siesta Key talks of his research regarding the Rachel Brown Hackney importance of Big Pass as protection for the island By SarasotaNewsLeader.com As the Siesta Key Association (SKA) continues to wage a battle in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court to try to prevent the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass, the value of preserving the pass in its virgin state was underscored on March 2 by the guest speaker at the nonprofit’s annual meeting. Dr. Philip M. Farrell, emeritus dean and professor of pediatrics and population health sciences at the University of WisconsinMadison, talked of discussions about Big Pass that he had with Richard A. Davis, emeritus distinguished research professor at the University of South Florida (USF). Those talks served as the basis for information in the book Farrell co-authored last year with his grandson, Thomas Philip Farrell, An Illustrated History of Siesta Key. Big Pass, Farrell told the approximately 120 attendees at the March 2 meeting, “is a crucial factor” in the buildup of sand on Siesta’s main beach and a protector of the Key’s shoreline. Farrell discussed some of the facets of the natural flow of sediment from north to south on Florida’s west coast, noting, “It’s very technical.” Davis had explained to him, Farrell continued, about the nature of the “integrated coastal system.” Furthermore, “swash bars,” which are visible from higher points on the island — including buildings at Siesta Public Beach — bring sand to the island, Farrell pointed out to the SKA audience. The swash bars, he noted, “have been evident for centuries. … I believe that Big Pass serves as a sand reservoir, as well.” If sand is removed from the pass, Farrell added, “There’s no doubt whatsoever” that damage to Siesta will ensue. Farrell’s remarks followed outgoing President Gene Kusekoski’s review of the SKA’s top initiatives in 2018, including the Circuit Court case. (See the related article in this issue.) The nonprofit has asked the City of Sarasota for more than two years to comply with the city’s own comprehensive plan in ensuring that no harm would come to Siesta Key as a result of the city’s plans to dredge up to 1.3 million cubic yards of sand

from Big Pass to renourish an approximately 1.6-mile stretch of South Lido Key Beach. On Feb. 11, Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh ruled that the city must “show cause” why she should not compel it “to make an official determination that the Project is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan and all other applicable local, regional, state, and federal plans and regulations.” Her order was based on a second amended complaint, in which the SKA sought a Writ for Mandamus. The SKA asked her to order the city to seek permission, the SKA says the city needs from Sarasota County leaders before the city can undertake any initiative in Big Pass. That petition also pointed out what the SKA has contended are the city’s obligations according to its own environmental policies. “Finally, we found a judge who read the latest argument” and agreed that it made sense, Kusekoski told the audience at the March 2 Annual Breakfast Meeting. “Hopefully, we’re going to make some progress,” he continued, with the city finally being forced to request permission from the county to dredge Big Pass. “Worst case,” he continued, “the county says, ‘Fine.’” The best case, Kusekoski added, is that the county tells the city it can proceed with the plan only after an in-depth analysis of the potential impacts of the sand removal has been completed and shows no harm would result to the Key.

City says SKA still has not satisfied legal requirement On March 1, the counsel for the city in the case asked the court for a 14-day extension of the deadline for the city’s answer, through March 18. McHugh’s Feb. 11 order had given the city 20 days. John R. Herin Jr. of the Fox Rothschild firm in Miami attributed his request “to other pressing workload commitments,” as well as the fact that he recently began working for a different law firm. Kent Safriet of the Tallahassee firm Hopping Green & Sams, the attorney for the

Citing City of Sarasota arguments, Circuit Court judge gives Siesta Key Association 20 days from March 20, to convince her why she should not dismiss nonprofit’s latest petition

SKA, notified the court that the SKA opposed the extension through March 18. In a March 5 ruling, Judge McHugh ended up giving Herin through March 14 to respond to her Feb. 11 order. In that response, which was filed on March 14, Herin referenced “an undocumented and unverified meeting that purportedly took place on May 23, 2017,” between SKA representatives and senior city staff. In its second amended complaint, the SKA argued that during that session, SKA members formally asked city staff to submit the proposal for the dredging of Big Pass to county leaders. City Manager Tom Barwin and City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw both attended that May 2017 meeting, new SKA President Catherine Luckner has asserted. Nonetheless, Herin wrote in his response, “Even if this Court were to give every inference in favor of these allegations, they factually and legally fall short of meeting the requirement of making an express and clear demand of the city.” Such a demand is necessary, McHugh told Safriet during a December 2018 hearing in the case. Herin also stressed in his response that the

SKA and its co-plaintiff in the case — Siesta resident David Patton — have failed “to allege in any of their complaints that they made an express and distinct demand” upon the city to make a determination that the dredging is consistent with the city’s own comprehensive plan. Even so, Herin continued, the city did submit to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) — in 2015 — a determination that the Lido project is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. He emphasized, in bold letters, that the SKA and Patton “received notice of this determination prior to the filing of this lawsuit in 2017.” Siesta Sand learned at the time of press, on March 20, Judge Andrea McHugh wrote, “Given the fact that the city disputes the SKA argument that the nonprofit ever made a legally adequate demand upon the City for a determination that the Project is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Court finds it appropriate for the SKA to file a reply.” Citing City of Sarasota arguments, Circuit Court judge gives Siesta Key Association 20 days to convince her why she should not dismiss nonprofit’s latest petition.

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Happiness Is… For Everyone Some of the most popular words in our culture right now are inclusion and diversity. While those words inspire conversations about a wide range of issues, Jerry Williams, owner of Abel’s Ice Cream, has found a way to apply them to the wonderful topic of dessert. Diversity is the name of the game at Abel’s. They offer forty flavors of amazing Florida-made ice cream that is a perfect sweet treat before or after a sunny day at the beach. But wait there’s more. Don’t forget about the gourmet chocolates from Sweet Shop USA, and apple and cherry pie slices (great a la mode!) What if though, you’re crazy about ice cream, but ice cream isn’t so crazy about you? Well, that’s where inclusion comes in. “We know how hard it is for anyone with a restricted diet to find a great place that meets their needs as well as their friends’,” Jerry said. “That’s why we’re proud to offer both gluten-free products and non-dairy ice cream on our menu.” According to Jerry, their featured non-dairy ice cream flavors this month are Coconut Almond Fudge (Sometimes you feel like…Tropical Coconut ice cream with fudge ribbon & whole roasted almonds) and Vanilla Bean (Vanilla non-dairy ice cream that’s loaded with ground vanilla beans giving it the ultimate flavor.)

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Island Chatter Staff Report

Don’t miss Siesta Fiesta Fine art, food, and live music highlight this lively annual two-day craft festival, Siesta Fiesta in Siesta Key Village, Sat/Sun April 27 and 28. Siesta Chamber Secretary Stephanie Brown, general manager of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, reported that plans have been well underway for musical entertainment once again this year during Siesta Fiesta. Musical performances will be offered on Saturday, April 27, during the day and evening, but not past 10 p.m., Brown noted. On April 28, the music will end at 5 p.m., which is when the festival usually is winding down, she said. For more information, visit www.ArtFestival.com or call the Siesta Key Chamber at 941-3493800.

Siesta Key Chamber hosts annual Children’s Easter Party & Egg Hunt The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the Annual Children’s Easter Party and Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20th, from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. The Chamber welcomes the support of the Siesta Key Kiwanis Club who will assist with coordination and provide volunteer service. For the third year, the event will be held at Turtle Beach, located at 8699 Turtle Beach Rd, Siesta Key. Turtle Beach is approximately 2.3 miles South of Stickney Road on Midnight Pass. Free parking is available on site. Continued on page 6

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Illegal short-term rental fine up to $5,000 wins County By Rachel Brown Hackney Commission’s unanimous approval SarasotaNewsLeader.com First they listened to two Siesta Key residents talk about the travails of living near homes rented continually to visitors. Then the Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 26 to approve imposition of a fine as high as $5,000 for violations of the county’s short-term rental laws in districts zoned for single-family homes. Matt Osterhoudt, director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, told members of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) on Jan. 10 that the new fine could be applied, for example, in situations when loud noise late at night at illegally rented homes proves disruptive to neighbors. The Code Enforcement amendment, he explained, was proposed on the basis of language in the Florida Statutes. The fine previously could not exceed $250 per day for a first violation and $500 per day for a repeat violation of the county regulations handled by the Code Enforcement Division. A Special Magistrate — a court official who presides over Code Enforcement hearings — would have to find a violation “to be irreparable or irreversible in nature” to impose a $5,000 fine, the amendment says. “It’s a start,” Commissioner Nancy Detert pointed out of the Feb. 26 action. “But every time we think up a law, somebody thinks up a way around it.” “There’s proposals now before the state that would take away many local governments’ rights to regulate short-term rentals in neighborhoods of single-family homes,” Chair Charles Hines added. “I don’t understand why. … We need to be vigilant.” The amendment was to go into effect as soon as it had been filed with the Office of the Florida Secretary of State. Donna Thompson, the county zoning administrator reported that it typically takes two business days for the filing to be processed in Tallahassee. Joe Volpe, an SKA director, testified during the Feb. 26 public hearing that he lives on Treasure Boat Way, just north of Siesta Village. On behalf of the nonprofit’s members, he explained, he has been working with county Code Enforcement Officer Susan Stahley — who works on the Key — on means to prevent illegal short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. “The owners of these houses play dumb, say they don’t know the rules,” Volpe told the commissioners. “The real estate people play dumb, say they don’t know the rules.” A house across the street from his home, he continued, “is rented every five to six days.” Yet, Volpe pointed out, county regulations prohibit the rental of a home in a single-family neighborhood more than once every 30 days. Another house near his residence, he added, is advertised for three-day rentals. A group from Texas, Volpe said, occupied a house three doors down from his home on one occasion. The tenants, he added, were “partying like crazy, swearing up and down.” Around midnight, he continued, a woman across the canal called over to the group, asking, “‘Could you please keep it down.’” “They threatened to kill her,” Volpe said.

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The SKA has submitted a letter to the County Commission, Volpe added, asking for more measures “to help straighten out this problem of illegal rentals.” Margaret Jean Cannon, who also addressed the board on Feb. 26, acknowledged that she lives in a nine-condominium complex on Beach Road, in a multi-family home zoning district, which has different rental rules. Nonetheless, she described situations similar to those Volpe has related to SKA members over the past couple of years: trash cans remaining at the curb for days after renters leave, awaiting the once-a-week Waste Management collections on the Key; and multitudes of vehicles, some in yards. “The neighborhood residents are contacting Code Enforcement or the police on some regular basis about what’s going on,” Cannon told the board, referring to overflowing trash and late-night noise. “I think there has been an impact on the character and livability of my community.” Cannon provided the commissioners a sheet showing internet advertisements for homes on Siesta Key that sleep from 14 to 24 people. Owners of two multi-story houses across from her condominium complex on Beach Road advertise that the structures can sleep up to 26 persons, she added. “We don’t even have the ability,” she pointed out, to know who the owners are, so they can be contacted in the event problems with tenants arise. The island has few hotels, Cannon said. Therefore, “More of these homes are becoming a commercial operation with multiple people owning them and renting them out.” Annually, she continued, that is reflected in the fact that the total “bed tax” revenue from Siesta accommodations make up the highest percentage reported for all the locations in the county where the 5% tax is collected. Cannon also suggested the commissioners consider hiring more Code Enforcement officers and pay for the Sheriff’s Office to hire more deputies to handle issues on the Key. “I think that your handout alone is just startling,” Commissioner Detert told Cannon. “This is a new wrinkle in vacation homes that started on the other coast and is spreading to wealthy communities.” “Stay vigilant with your state representatives,” Chair Hines advised Cannon. Neither last year nor this year, he continued, has he seen action in the Legislature that recognizes “impacts that are occurring in residential neighborhoods.” In making the motion to approve the amendment to the County Code, Commissioner Alan Maio — who represents Siesta Key as part of his District 4 territory — told his colleagues, “We keep hearing the horror stories. I think staff is trying to do everything they can,” while still ensuring that due process is afforded people accused of illegal short-term rentals. Behavior such as “out of anybody’s bounds of partying,” Maio added, “is completely inappropriate in residential areas with single-family homes.”

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Island Chatter Continued from page 5

The free Siesta Breeze Trolley service will begin at 8:30 on that morning and will be making rounds approximately every thirty minutes from SK Village to Turtle Beach. Activities include an Easter egg hunt, games, free photos with the Easter bunny, the Sheriff’s mounted patrol, and more! Kona Ice will be offering items available for purchase. Children ages 1 to 6 are invited to register and participate. Approximate time slots for the Egg Hunt are designated by age groups: 10:00 a.m. (2 years of age and younger); 10:30 a.m. (3-4 years of age); and 11:00 a.m. (5-6 years of age). All Easter eggs will contain prizes donated by Siesta Key Chamber Member businesses. Each child who registers will also receive a goodie bag. Children should bring something to carry their collected eggs in. Pre-registration begins March 20th, and is required for the Easter Egg Hunt and limited to 175 children. There is a $10 fee per child. Registration forms are available at www. siestakeychamber.com or at the Siesta Key Chamber Office, 5114 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, FL 34242. For registration and sponsorship information, contact the Chamber Office at events@siestakeychamber.com or 941-349-3800.

A new business improvement district proposed Siesta architect Mark Smith, a past Chamber chair and continuing board member, is at work on a big idea for improvements to Old Stickney Point Road. During the Feb. 20 Chamber members meeting, Smith explained that his proposal is to create a business improvement district with uniform lighting, brick paver sidewalks and street furniture, similar to the features of the Public Improvement District in Siesta Village. Additionally, as in the North Village, banners would hang from the new light poles, he said. The goal, Smith pointed out, is “to try to unify the look that we have on Siesta Key.” Continued on page 11

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A follow-up for the county commissioners, Rachel Brown Hackney parking and biking issues By SarasotaNewsLeader.com Following the Feb. 27 County Commission workshop on Siesta traffic and parking issues, Gene Kusekoski — still the SKA president at that point — wrote an email to the board members, offering some thoughts about the discussion in which they engaged after listening to public comments. “I believe Commissioner Michael Moran summarized it best when he recommended that you first figure out what solutions you want to implement and what they cost,” Kusekoski wrote. “Only then would it be appropriate to review whether some form of paid parking at the beach might be a means of funding those solutions. “I know people are divided on the idea of taxpayer decals, but I ask that you remain open to the idea until a comprehensive access management plan has been fully developed,” Kusekoski continued. “Yes, property owners already pay taxes, but, coming from New Hampshire, another state without broad-based taxes, I know that usage fees are often implemented to fund certain services and amenities. Amortizing the costs into the general property tax rate increases costs for people who never use the beach, including those for whom every dollar is precious. You are the experts on such matters, so it would be presumptuous of me to recommend one approach over the other … “The $25 per year decal price I cited was merely an example,” Kusekoski wrote, noting the remarks he made during the Feb. 27 workshop. “If you follow Commissioner Moran’s ‘What do we need to pay for?’ model, then the actual decal fee would be determined by how much additional revenue you need to cover expenses. It may turn out that visitor parking fees cover all expenses, so taxpayer parking could continue to be free. If a decal is implemented, there must be an exemptions process for low-income residents. Clearly, we do not want to do anything that prevents low-income families from enjoying our great beaches.” On another point, Kusekoski wrote, “I know Commissioner Nancy Detert has mentioned bike sharing several times, but I respectfully suggest that the viewpoints of people who bike regularly should be heeded regarding the safety hazards in certain key areas. I would also discourage doing anything to negatively impact the existing bike rental businesses on Siesta Key. “With regard to off-island biking, I would request that Commissioner Detert personally experience the ride from the Gulf Gate shopping area to Siesta Key via Stickney Point Road before promoting bike sharing for that journey,” he added. “There is no bike lane, and the sidewalk is very irregular, with many vestigial curb cuts to nowhere making for a rough ride. If

you fall, you land in 45MPH traffic speeding right beside you. I must continue to strongly advocate changes to ensure riders can navigate this road safely before any more bike use is promoted there.” During the Feb. 19 meeting of the Siesta Key Condominium Council, President Frank Jurenka made the same point to Nicole Rissler, director of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, who was one of the speakers on the program. Pointing out that he routinely bikes on the Key, Jurenka said that he does ride over from the island to McIntosh Road or Palmer Ranch to pick up The Legacy Trail route. “That’s a treacherous path.” It is 4.5 miles from Siesta to the Trail, he added. When he asked whether staff has any plans to improve that access, in connection with work on the North Extension of The Legacy Trail, Rissler told him that no plan has been proposed thus far. Nonetheless, she added, “That’s definitely on the list of things that we’re working on.” “Good,” Jurenka responded. Continuing his Feb. 27 email, Kusekoski wrote, “Further, people picking up a bike sharing ride would still need a place to park their car off-island, bringing us back to off-island parking as the primary need.” “Several speakers suggested redesigning Siesta Beach parking to accommodate more cars,” he added. “I think we all know that there are too many cars coming to Siesta Key already, so making yet more parking spaces available is counterproductive. Please focus on ideas like using Phillippi Estate Park for off-island park and ride. I would also still like to see a deal negotiated with Benderson for some amount of park and ride space.” With the latter comment, Kusekoski was referencing the plans for the Siesta Promenade mixed-use development at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. On Dec. 12, 2018, Benderson Development won County Commission approval — on split votes — to construct 414 condominiums, a 130-room hotel and 140,000 square feet of commercial and office space on about 24 acres on the northwest corner of the intersection. The board decision has been challenged in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court. During the Feb. 27 workshop, Commissioner Charles Hines noted that he had asked that staff explore the idea with Benderson representatives of a public parking garage on the Siesta Promenade property, to facilitate a park-and-ride program. Staff did broach the idea with company representatives, Hines added, but “it didn’t get very far.”

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Variety of ideas given to staff to research as County Commission continues focus on easing traffic congestion and parking problems Rachel Brown Hackney related to Siesta Public Beach By SarasotaNewsLeader.com With more than 1,000 comments having been submitted online, plus emails and the remarks of 14 speakers, the Sarasota County Commission has asked staff to follow up on a number of ideas that potentially could ameliorate traffic congestion on Siesta Key. As they discussed the idea of paid parking following the speakers’ comments, commissioners made it clear that unanimity does not exist for implementing such a program at Siesta Public Beach. “I’m not sold on paid parking yet,” Commissioner Christian Ziegler said. If the county did implement such a program, he added, taxpayers should be able to access the beach for free. Commissioner Alan Maio concurred with the idea of free parking for county residents. “We cannot charge them …” “I would support any program that’s fair to all residents of Sarasota County” and all county taxpayers, Commissioner Nancy Detert told her colleagues, as long as visitors still could have “a quality experience.” Commissioner Michael Moran voiced concern about any program that would deter low-income residents, especially families, from visiting Siesta Public Beach. The board needs to talk about solutions for the traffic congestion, first, he continued, and then consider how to pay for them. “I’d be in favor of paid parking,” Chair Charles Hines said, with the revenue allocated to solutions. The commissioners asked staff to investigate the following: • The process that would be necessary to construct a parking garage on the Key or possibly at Gulf Gate Mall, so people could leave their vehicles and then catch rides on the free Siesta Key Breeze open-air trolley, whose service also would have to be expanded to make that possible. • The use of electronic message boards on Clark Road east of the Stickney Point Road intersection and on U.S. 41 both north and south of that intersection, to provide real-time information about whether spaces are available at Siesta Public Beach. • The details of creating a mobile app that would enable people to learn the number of parking spaces available in the Siesta Public Beach lot at any given time and an estimate of the travel time to the beach via various access points to the island. • The potential of establishing a water taxi service to Siesta

Public Beach from Phillippi Estate Park, located at 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, which the county owns and where plenty of parking spaces are available, as Detert noted. • Implementation of a bike-sharing program for people parking off the island. • The potential use of multiple areas of county right of way to allow the Siesta trolley to pull out of traffic as it loads and unloads passengers, so vehicles that have been following it can pass it. During their discussion, commissioners did concur that if a paid parking program were implemented at the public beach, it would have to be free or inexpensive for county taxpayers, regardless of where the persons live. Additionally, in light of public comments, they agreed that any revenue from a paid parking program would go toward measures to reduce traffic on Siesta — from expanding the trolley’s route north of Siesta Village to covering the cost of a parking garage, for examples.

Opportunities and constraints At the opening of the workshop, Chair Hines acknowledged, “It’s a given that our population is growing … and that people have found Siesta Key and love our beach.” Yet, the constraints of the existing road network on the island — and the two drawbridges, on Stickney Point Road and Siesta Drive — make some solutions impossible, he continued. Not much vacant land on the Key or even off the island is available for parking garages, he added, and what is available “is very, very expensive.” Nonetheless, Hines said, “It’s a human condition that we all want to drive our own car, bring our own cooler and go to the beach when we want to and have our own designated parking spot.” Among the 13 people who addressed the board was Gene Kusekoski, at the time, president of the Siesta Key Association (SKA). The nonprofit sent the commissioners a letter, he noted, parts of which he read. “From our perspective, the county must look at parking in the larger context of too many cars clogging area roadways

today,” the letter said. “The public safety implications and challenges for residents trying to get to and from their homes here have been discussed at length. We encourage a holistic, systemic approach toward solutions,” Kusekoski told the board. Representing the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, past chair Mark Smith referenced a survey the Chamber undertook of its members about paid parking at the public beach. In tallying the results, he said, Chamber leaders found that 85% agreed that county property owners should not be forced to pay. Further, 84% said any revenue from a parking program should be used for purposes involving the Key, Smith said. In researching the paid parking program at Fort Myers Beach, he continued, the Chamber estimates that if just onethird of the Siesta Beach public parking lot were designated a paid area for visitors, about $2 million would be generated a year. “That’s gross,” he said, acknowledging that the company handling the program would keep some of the money as payment for its services. Siesta resident Mike Cosentino told the board that the fact that parking has been free at the beaches in Sarasota County has “always been a source of pride.” He urged the commissioners to consider “the lowest common denominator in society” — residents who would struggle to afford a payment for parking at Siesta Public Beach.

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Village news

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By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Key Corners update, No Bigbelly coming after all to the Village, On the brighter side of Village maintenance, Troubles with the trash and More bicyclists in the Village An update on a Village construction project During a March 11 interview with Siesta architect Mark Smith, SNL took the opportunity to ask about the progress of transforming the Key Corners Plaza into a completely new look with a Nantucket theme. (Smith is the architect for the project.) Business partners Chris Brown and Mike Granthon hope to complete the project over the summer, Smith said. Unfortunately, that means they have “lost the season,” as Smith put it. Their goal had been to open before season began, he pointed out during the most recent Siesta Chamber quarterly meeting for members, which was held in late February. It took five months for Brown and Granthon to get the necessary permits from Sarasota County staff to begin the construction, Smith added during the Chamber meeting. “They’re going as fast as they can.” Businesses in the plaza have been struggling, Ann Frescura, executive director of the Chamber, noted, referring to the fencing around the construction site. Nonetheless, Lisa Cece, special district coordinator for Sarasota County, who serves as county liaison to the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp., explained that county regulations do not allow for sandwich boards in the public right of way or the landscaping beds, to advertise businesses.

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However, “They can put signage on the chain link fence,” Cece added. “That works.” Tenants in Key Corners have been making use of the fence, Frescura responded.

No Bigbelly coming after all to the Village In August 2018, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members finally thought they were on the road to achieving a quest begun almost exactly five years earlier: installing a solar-powered, compacting garbage and recycling container in Siesta Village. Continued on page 16

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Outgoing Siesta Key Association president reviews a year of Rachel Brown Hackney numerous challenges By SarasotaNewsLeader.com In his final remarks as president of the Siesta Key Association (SKA), Gene Kusekoski offered a deadpan opening as he looked out at the approximately 120 people assembled in the Community Center of St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key: “So it’s been a quiet year; not much going on.” After the laugher subsided during the nonprofit’s annual breakfast meeting on March 2, Kusekoski touched on the top issues for the organization over the past months: the ongoing effort to prevent the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass (see the related story in this issue); support of a legal challenge to try to stop Benderson Development Co. from building its Siesta Promenade mixed-use project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road; the County Commission’s decision to approve a change in the island’s zoning regulations, which could lead to construction of a hotel on Old Stickney Point Road; the continuing fight against illegal short-term rentals of homes; and the SKA’s support of another nonprofit’s efforts to do exactly what that nonprofit’s name says — Make Siesta Drive Safer. The SKA offered its own arguments to the County Commission during the “hours and hours of testimony opposing Siesta Promenade” on Dec. 12, 2018, Kusekoski pointed out. “Siesta Promenade’s a problem,” he continued, adding that “huge, huge amounts of development” also are planned on the eastern side of Interstate 75, thanks to County Commission decisions in the past few years. On Jan. 11, a legal complaint was filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota to try to overturn the County Commission’s split decisions allowing the Siesta Promenade project to go forward. Benderson Development plans to construct 414 condominiums/apartments in multi-story towers; an 80-foot-tall, 130-room hotel; and 140,000 square feet of retail and office space on a site that is not quite 24 acres. “Benderson probably is not going to walk away from this thing,” Kusekoski said. He wished “some horse trading” had gone on to ensure that if the mixed-use development is built, he added, that the company would, at the very least, provide room for park-and-ride options to ease traffic congestion on Siesta Key. A number of people — including Commissioner Charles Hines — have talked of their disappointment that Benderson would not agree to allow space within Siesta Promenade for a facility where people could leave their vehicles and then take a trolley or other means of transit to Siesta Key Public

Beach. Kusekoski told the audience on March 2 that he had not given up hope for such an agreement in the future. As for the zoning amendment involving the proposed Old Stickney Point Road project: “That whole process isn’t done yet, I think,” Kusekoski said. The change the County Gene Kusekoski Commission approved in April 2018 would allow for a shorter setback from the street than the minimum of 25 feet that would have been necessary for any new structure higher than 35 feet in one of the island’s districts zoned for commercial use. Siesta resident Gary Kompothecras, known for his 1-800-ASKGARY advertising for medical and legal referrals, made it clear last year that he had sought the setback modification to facilitate construction of a hotel, though his attorney has stressed that it would be a boutique property standing well below the height of many of the condominium towers on the island. The SKA will need to keep an eye on the actual plans after they have been revealed, Kusekoski said on March 2. The nonprofit also should “watch for people citing the setback modification as a precedent.” If new initiatives arise, he added, they should be “cut off at the knees pretty quickly …” Another issue — “a big one that’s come up lately” — is the increase in illegal short-term rentals in neighborhoods zoned for single-family residences, Kusekoski said. Just the previous week, the County Commission amended the county’s Code Enforcement ordinance to provide for a fine up to $5,000 if an egregious situation can be proved, Kusekoski noted. “Our big success for the year,” he continued, was assisting a group of residents at the Bay Tree Club on South Midnight Pass Road who had sought a crosswalk to enhance safety for people who routinely make the trek between the bayside and Gulf side buildings of the condominium complex. Not only did county staff members agree to install a crosswalk,

Cernansky, Luckner, & Richard SKA breakfast March 2, 2019

Kusekoski said, but “they came back and put blinking lights on it.” Nobody even asked for the lights, he pointed out. Kusekoski then explained that he originally became an SKA director to work on bicycle safety issues. In stepping down from the board after two years, he said, “I’m going to go back to my roots … and … campaign for more bike safety on Siesta Key, which is still badly, badly needed,” especially between the Beach Road and Stickney Point road intersections. In closing, Kusekoski told the audience members, “Stay engaged.”

Retiring and incoming directors During the program, new President Catherine Luckner recognized two other board members besides Kusekoski who were leaving their positions: Bob Stein, publisher of the monthly Siesta Sand newspaper on the Key and a number of other publications; and Bob Miller, who had served as treasurer. Dan Lundy will be the new vice president, Secretary Joyce Kouba said, while Marilyn Romanus will serve as treasurer. Erin Kreis and Joe Volpe also are keeping their seats on the board. New directors, Kouba continued, are Jean Cannon, Elizabeth Gomez-Mayo, Eddie Ward, Roland Clark and Tom Surprise. In brief remarks at the end of the meeting, Luckner emphasized that the SKA is focused on facts. The spread of misconceptions and false statements, she pointed out, “actually tends to foment a lot of fear.” She added that if anyone has a question or a concern, “Ask us and we will give you a factual answer or help you find it.”

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

‘Parkour,’ anyone?

941.349.0194

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Report of a possible trespassing incident in Siesta Village recently led SNL to a tale of “parkour” at Key Corners Plaza. Work is underway not only to transform the look of that shopping center but also to create a new sports bar there. Although they technically may have been trespassing in the wee hours of Feb. 7, three 20-year-old Sarasota men told the deputy who investigated the incident that they were engaged in parkour. They did not end up being charged, the Sheriff’s Office report said. Fans of the Mission Impossible movies know that star Tom Cruise always seems to find himself running from would-be assailants, making the best use of available rooftops. That is a form of parkour. The World Freerunning Parkour Federation describes it as follows: “According to the strictest definition, Parkour is the act of moving from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’ using the obstacles in your path to increase your efficiency.” It had its origins, the Federation says, “in a training program for French Special Forces known as ‘Parcours du combatant,’ or ‘The Path of the Warrior.’” Chris Brown — who also owns The Hub Baja Grill, The Cottage, the Summer House Restaurant and the Beach Club — bought Key Corners in November 2017. He and his business partner, Mike Granthon, are remodeling the property so it has a Nantucket appearance, as they have explained to Siesta Sand. They started the permitting process with Sarasota County staff in late May 2018, county records show. Siesta architect Mark Smith has been working with them. In fact, it was Smith who requested written conformation from county staff in January 2018 that a new restaurant with a patron area of 1,200 square feet would be permitted on the site, based on the

parking plan he had prepared. That letter of approval appears to have been released on March 6, 2018, the county document adds. As for the details of the parkour incident: At 3:50 a.m. on Feb. 7, the Sheriff’s Office report said, someone flagged down a deputy at the intersection of Canal Road and Ocean Boulevard, across from the construction site, and pointed to three people the person had seen climbing on the roof at Key Corners. The deputy saw the suspects walking away from the construction site, the report noted. When they spotted him, it said, “They changed direction …” However, the deputy was able to catch up with them in front of Key Corners, the report added. The person who had flagged down the deputy confirmed for the deputy that the three young men were the same people he had observed on the site, the report pointed out. Each of the suspects agreed to speak separately with the deputy, the report continued. “They stated they entered the construction site by pushing down and climbing over the orange mesh fencing. They each told me they knew they should not be in the construction area,” the deputy wrote. “They stated they were climbing on the scaffold, but did not damage or steal anything.” One suspect, Zachary L. Farley, was the first to describe what they were doing on the site as parkour, the report noted. A

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Close-up of Key Corners construction

second suspect, Jack H. Sloan, told the deputy that he was unaware of the “No Trespassing” signs on the site until after he exited the property. (The third person involved in the incident was identified as Isiah J. Garza.) “I observed several … signs that read, ‘No Trespassing,’” the deputy wrote. “This area is a designated construction site,” the deputy continued. “Anyone who trespasses on this property commits a felony!” the deputy added, referencing Florida Statute 810.09(2)(d). The “No Trespassing” signs also displayed the contractor’s logo, the deputy pointed out. However, after speaking with a sergeant, the deputy learned that the size of the letters on the signs did not conform to the specifications of the statute, the report noted. The deputy had obtained the necessary identification information from the suspects, the report continued, so the deputy allowed them to leave the site, pending charges. Later that day, the deputy wrote, he learned that no damage or sign of theft had been discovered at the site; therefore, the president of the construction company said he would consult with the owners of the business, who had hired him, before making a decision about prosecution. A week later, on Feb. 14, the report said that the construction company president did not want to pursue prosecution “at this time.” The deputy advised the person about how charges could be filed later, the report added.

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The Shops of

South Siesta Key

Island Chatter Continued from page 6

The south district would encompass part of South Midnight Pass Road, including the countyowned parcel at 6647 S. Midnight Pass Road. The latter is home to one building that is property of the Public Utilities Department, as well as underground pipelines. It formerly held a Sheriff’s Office training facility. He needs to get 10 property owners to sign a petition, Smith said, before Sarasota County staff will consider establishing the district. He had been working on the proposal through the Island Business Committee, Smith noted. During a follow-up interview on March 11, Smith reported that work demands had prevented him from making any significant progress on the initiative. Still, he said, “I don’t anticipate a problem.” He added that he feels he will be able to secure the necessary number of signatures.

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Breeze app ‘pretty close’ to debut The work to develop an app for the Siesta Key Breeze trolley came up on March 12, as the County Commission was holding a discussion about whether to proceed with privatization of the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) bus system. Rob Lewis, interim director of SCAT, noted — as he had during the Siesta Key Condominium Council meeting in February — that the company operating the open-air trolley “is getting close to releasing a real-time tracking mechanism for your phone and mobile devices.” SNL followed up with Lisa Potts, SCAT’s communications specialist, to find out whether the debut date has been nailed down for release of the app. “There’s no definite timeline,” she reported on March 15, but “I know they’re getting pretty close.” She also clarified that the app would be completely separate from the web-based tracking software SCAT makes available to riders of its regular buses. The app for the Breeze will be available for download for Android and Apple systems, Potts pointed out. The Apple system takes more time to develop than the Android app, she explained. However, she had no details to offer, she said, about the reason for the longer Apple process. SNL also took the opportunity to check with Potts about the February ridership figure for the Breeze. She said the total was 38,336. Even before she undertook the necessary research to provide that number, Potts affirmed readily that the trolley remains very popular. Continued on page 14

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APRIL 2019

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Historical book signing takes place at Crescent Beach Grocery

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

Philip and Thomas Farrell, authors of the highly anticipated “An Illustrated History of Siesta Key” signed their book at a wine tasting at the Crescent Beach Grocery on Wednesday, March 20. The Farrells combined two years of archival research and personal interviews into the definitive work on America’s best beach. The book covers a time span of over 3,000 years from the Island’s geological past through the occupation of American Indians, the intermittent occupation by the Spanish and Cubans followed by pioneer settlers and developers. Philip Farrell’s earliest memories of the Key begin in the 1950s. His grandson, Thomas, experienced a much more developed Key, but is equally smitten with the beauty and unique history of the island. Philip Farrell is Emeritus Dean and Professor of Pediatrics and Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. He and his wife, Alice, have vacationed on the Key for the past 13 years. Thomas Farrell graduated in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a double major in history and anthropology. He is especially interested in Native American history and cultures. The wine tasting benefited the Friends of the Sarasota County History Center. Many of the descendants of Harry Lee Higel, Mayor of Sarasota and original developer of Siesta Key, were in attendance.

Pictured here: clockwise from top left, Cindy Higel Naughton, Laura Campbell-Burns (Higel), Edwina White-Lockwood (Higel), Philip Farrell, & Thomas Farrell

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.

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Pictured here: clockwise from top left, Sally Luce, Lance Smith, Susan Braniecki, Edwina White-Lockwood (Higel), Philip Farrell, & Thomas Farrell

Pictured here: Edwina White-Gordon and Gordon Higel-White

Pictured here: Ruthmary Williams and Margaret Borrows, treasurer and president of the Friends of Sarasota County History Center

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Wine Tasting Events … A great way to learn and have fun at the same time! Since the Siesta Key Wine Bar opened in August 2018, the new owners have focused on continuous improvement of the wine selections that they offer their customers. Wine Tasting Events have become a fantastic way for not only customers to taste and learn about new wines but also a valuable tool for Siesta Key Wine Bar to evaluate their inventory and to really fine tune what their customers want. Starting the wine tasting lineup was Duckhorn Vineyards, a well-known Napa Valley Vintner that produces such names as Canvasback, Decoy, Duckhorn, Calera, Migration, Three Palms, Paraduxx and Goldeneye. Patrick Madden, Winery Representative, was on site to sample a very nice selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, and red blended wines. 40 customers all were able to taste these wines unlimited for two hours as they could also ask questions of Patrick. The big winners for the night were a ’17 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc which has earned 90 pts from Wine Spectator and a ’15 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon which earned 92 pts both from James Suckling and Wine Advocate. Girasole Vineyards, located near the Russian River in Mendocino County, CA, was an interesting choice for the next wine tasting event. The vintner is not as well known to most of the world but certainly is in Northern California as they have been producing organic wines since 1955. As Stephanie Spier, Harvest Moon Wine Representative, was pouring glasses and educating throughout the evening, guests were able to taste a selection of Organic Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. After the wine tasting, the wine bar decided to carry the brand as options because organic wines are in high demand with their clientele. The next wine tasting event is scheduled for Sunday, March 31st from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, is private and by reservation only. The featured winery is McNab Ridge Winery. Owner Darlene Gamble is excited to present this line of Mendocino County wines after tasting the full line of offerings & meeting with winemaker, Rich Parducci and Touton Wine Representative, Zach Mendiola recently. Siesta Key Wine Bar currently carries customer favorites “Fred’s Red” Red Blend and a sister brand “Margarett’s Vineyard” Chardonnay and Merlot. For more information or to book your reservation, contact Darlene Gamble at 941.323.3212 or DrinkWine@ SiestaKeyWineBar.com. Siesta Key Wine Bar is located at 5138c Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village. Advertorial

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Microcurrent facials...what’s all the hype about? How many times have you looked in the mirror thinking to yourself - a little nip here, perhaps a tuck there would really help take some years off your appearance? But then you think of the time needed to recuperate after a facelift and wonder just how much pain is involved not to mention expense and possible risk of complications, so decide against it. There must be a safer painless alternative with less expense and minimal, if any downtime. Well, there IS! Connie Lewis, LMT Aesthetician, former proprietor and Spa Director at Massage Experience, Siesta Key is continuing to offer her microcurrent (anti-aging) facial at her new studio located inside of SPALYPSO. The microcurrent facial is rejuvenating and offers a safe alternative to more invasive treatments on the market today. This facial has been a favorite of royalty in Europe for years. Oprah featured it on her shows some years back. Coming soon – microcurrent body sculpting This technology isn’t just for the face. It can be used on any part of the body to tone and sculpt. Think droopy buttocks, or cellulite deposits also known as the cottage cheese look on thighs and tushes. Connie will be offering this expanded service soon. It’s a very luxurious, pampering, results-driven technology which lifts, tones and tightens the muscles of your face or to spot treat specific body areas. The effects are immediate and cumulative. This uplifting therapy is preventative, as well as corrective. It’s a great alternative to surgery as it is non-invasive and quite enjoyable and relaxing. Sounds good, but how does it work? The gentle and 100% non-invasive treatment works in synergy with your body’s natural energy system. It sends safe, painless impulses to the targeted area to relax muscles that are overly tightened, and strengthens those that are underworked with very low levels of electrical current. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin providing a natural-looking lift. During the microcurrent treatment, probes are used to physically move the muscle into the desired position to perform what is known as muscle re-education – the process of lengthening or shortening muscles. In essence, it retrains the muscles and rebuilds them closer to their original shape. Research on microcurrent technology A study by the University of Washington proved that microcurrent increases your skin’s elastin fibers by 45%, collagen by 10% and the number of blood vessels by 35%. It can increase ATP, your body’s building block, by 500% resulting in softening wrinkles and toning facial muscles. Interestingly, this technology stems from a medical treatment to treat Bell’s palsy. Many of the patients found it worked so well, they asked to have the unaffected side of their face treated as well. Can you use it in conjunction with facial injections? If you’ve received facial injections, facial sculpting or microcurrent facials are for you too! It will help maintain your lift in between your injections. Since this process is cumulative, more treatments bring more noticeable and longer lasting results. Most people see their desired results within 7 -12 treatments. The combined use of Pevonia Botanica’s ultimate anti-aging products during this facial treatment enhances the treatment even more by assisting in product penetration. Lewis recently closed her former location Massage Experience, Siesta Key and is now practicing in the Gulf Gate Estates area just over the Stickney Point Bridge. She is currently offering her signature treatment that combines a facial and a massage simultaneously. And, of course, her massage offerings include deep relaxing intuitive massage therapy and her ever-popular hot stone massage. “My personal philosophy when working with a client for the first time or the 101st time is to see with my hands. To help me intuitively know when and how much to use the wands when sculpting during a microcurrent facial,” says Lewis. “Or how much pressure and on what areas to work during a massage session. After so many years of practice, I have a sixth sense that guides me through the service to let my hands tell me what to do energetically and physically, allowing me to give my clients the perfect session.” Connie Lewis, BS LMT Aesthetician, established Massage Experience, Siesta Key (19962018) and is now providing all of her services at Spalypso located in the Pine Park Office Centre, 7037 S. Tamiami Trail. Just minutes from the Stickney Point Bridge from Siesta Key. You can book an appointment online at SpaexperienceSiestaKey.com or by calling 941350-7495. (MA17596 / MM33422). (Advertorial)

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A big anniversary coming up The Siesta Chamber will mark its 60th anniversary this summer, Ann Frescura, the executive director of the organization, told members attending the Feb. 20 quarterly meeting. Chamber leaders and staff already are making plans for a big celebration, she said. And while she has found quite a bit of materials about the first 50 years of the Chamber, she continued, she has no documents about activities from 2009 forward. If anyone has materials they can provide her, Frescura said, she would welcome that assistance. Chamber members also are invited to propose suggestions about the celebration, she pointed out.

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The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the 20th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament, which will be held Friday, May 31, at TPC Prestancia, located at 4409 Tournament Players Club Drive, Sarasota, 34238. This private outing presents a unique opportunity for Chamber members and guests to play a round at the TPC Prestancia – Stadium Course. Onsite check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Don’t miss the opportunity to promote your business with select sponsorship opportunities. Also, take advantage of Early Bird Registration (April 1-30) which includes $100 discount per foursome.

There’s no limit to the BARGAINS you’ll

Continued on page 17

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All Roads Lead To…

5204 Ocean Blvd., in the Siesta Key Village create a batch of their sinfully delicious gelato. Theron-Cuna’s former career is fascinating, having no connection to her current business. She comes from a family of circus performers and has traveled around the world performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The family even has their own “Star of Fame” at St. Armands Circle Take the taste-test challenge The Theron Cycling Troupe. Does it hold up to the real deal? They Still a performer at heart, she challenge you to give it a try and let continues to entertain by retelling them know how it stacks up. Your vote Julia invites you to take their stories of her former days all the will help determine if it gets added to taste-test challenge while churning out a fresh batch of the all-time favorite flavors list. her all-natural, organic gelato. Many Made In Rome Organic Gelato uses all organic customers welcome the warm conversation and exciting ingredients and offers sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan adventures she so enthusiastically shares. options. Although there are numerous shops around the What customers are saying U.S. selling gelato, you’d have to take a trip to Italy to C ustomers continue to rave about the big flavors coming find a gelateria were only organic ingredients are used out of this small shop… exclusively, and a fresh batch, made from scratch, is Best quality by far in Siesta Village. Outside doesn’t look created every 15 minutes. like much (tacky even) but inside is immaculate, with good By using more milk than cream, no egg yolks, along variety and authentic flavors from natural ingredients. They with a slow-churn process, your taste buds will be doing even have sugar free gelato. Highest recommendation. ~J.L., a happy dance with the intense flavors and silky textures Mar. 21, 2019 this low calorie option provides. Owner’s response: Hi, J. thanks!!! Yes outside they are There are plenty of flavors to choose from and the staff remodeling. I’m sure it will be nice once it’s done! at Made In Rome Organic Gelato generously provide It was different than what we had in Rome, Venice, Capri, samples of their made from scratch, in-house gelato, etc. Maybe, the difference was because it was organic. With where a new flavor is produced every 15 minutes, and that being said, it was very good. The young lady who assisted as their name implies, all ingredients used are organic. us was very knowledgeable and friendly. ~ C.I., Feb. 28, 2019 No hydrogenated fats or colorants, or preservatives are Owner’s response: Hi Charles, We are from Rome and we ever used. have two shops there!! The difference is not only that it’s organic but we make it all from scratch no artificial flavors Vegans rejoice Yes vegans, you can make this one of your go-to coloring or preservatives....which few people do!!! places because Made In Rome Organic Gelato is vegan Place is so cute and I come here all the time as they have the friendly offering a selection of gelato, cones, shakes, and best vegan options for ice cream you can’t even tell!! Highly suggest! ~ E.H., Feb. 28, 2019 even a vegan affogato al caffe. Whether you choose vegan-friendly or not, the Completion of the renovation is expected to be affogato al caffe; a double shot of espresso topped with wrapped up by the end of April, if not sooner. In the a scoop of gelato…any flavor, continues to be a customer meantime, Diane and Massimo asks that you excuse any favorite. Says owner, Diane Theron-Cuna, “People go remaining construction clutter outside their shop and invite you to stop in and take the taste-test challenge. crazy for this!” Owners Diane Theron-Cuna and husband, Massimo Made In Rome Organic Gelato is located at 5204 enjoy showing off the method used to construct their Ocean Blvd., in the Siesta Key Village. Their hours are gelato. They invite you to watch the process as they 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. (941) 960-5344. (Advertorial) Still open despite construction As construction winds down at the Key Corners strip mall, the proprietors of Made In Rome Organic Gelato would like to remind guests that they have been open and busy creating new flavors throughout this entire remodel process. They encourage you to come in and taste-test one of their newest creations – the Piña Colada gelato.

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Progress on ‘The Pit’ By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Kusekoski used the SeeClickFix app Sarasota County launched a couple of years ago to report The Pit problem to the county. (SeeClickFix allows a person to take a photo of a situation and email it to county staff, so staff can address it.) “Next day,” he continued during the March 2 meeting, “there was an FDOT guy down there saying he was going to fix the problem” across from Aloha Kai.” After the March 2 SKA meeting, Kusekoski again emailed SNL. “I went out to Key Solutions to see the results of the repair that FDOT had done on the uneven sidewalk transition. They did get rid of the big hole, but I can’t say that I’m impressed with the repair. I don’t know what would happen if a bike rode over that glop, but I’m not willing to risk trying. I give it a few weeks before it crumbles and disappears. I don’t feel like they’re taking this seriously …” SNL asked county staff whether Kusekoski’s SeeClickFix report simply was referred to FDOT. Media Relations Officer Drew Winchester confirmed that the information was passed along to FDOT’s customer service staff, as FDOT still is responsible for that part of Midnight Pass Road on the Key. Kusekoski also provided a strong endorsement for SeeClickFix during the SKA’s March 2 meeting. “I’m a big fan of that… It really works.”

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Past SKA President Gene Kusekoski told not just SNL but also attendees of the SKA’s March 2 Annual Breakfast Meeting about a recent bicycling incident involving one of his friends. “My biking buddy fell into ‘The Pit’ across from Aloha Kai this week,” Kusekoski first reported to SNL in a March 1 email. He included a photo of The Pit that was taken in 2017. (Aloha Kai is located at 6020 Midnight Pass Road.) “Fortunately he’s not seriously hurt but he has a lot of cuts and bruises,” Kusekoski noted of his friend. “We’ve complained to both the county and the Florida Department of Transportation FDOT for two years on this, but it never gets fixed.” Kusekoski then pointed out that the manager of Aloha Kai “actually reported The Pit to FDOT a year or two ago, but the crew put asphalt in front of her place instead of in the hole across the street! She ran out when she saw the workers and said, ‘No! It’s across the street!’ They told her the work order said Aloha Kai, so that’s where the asphalt was going!” Kusekoski wrote. During the SKA meeting, Kusekoski explained that, after his friend was injured,

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Village news

The pit across the street from Aloha Kai in 2017

The hole was repaired March 2, 2019

Continued from page 8

April 7: Y Siesta Key Cruise-In P Sunday begins at noon P

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The Bigbelly would replace a number of the steel garbage cans, Lisa Cece, special district coordinator for Sarasota County, explained during the August 2018 quarterly meeting of Chamber members. The idea for placing the equipment in the Village originated with Russell Matthes, co-owner of the Daiquiri Deck restaurants, before the Siesta Chamber absorbed the merchants group called the Siesta Key Village Association. Cece, who serves as liaison between the county and the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corp., told the Chamber members in August 2018 that, during the tourist season that year, “We were inundated with the highest volume of trash that we have ever experienced” in the Village. Her goal, she said, was to see a Bigbelly installed near The Lobster Pot, at the intersection of Canal Road and Ocean Boulevard. Alas, the plan will not come to fruition after all, Cece reported during the Feb. 20 quarterly Chamber meeting for members. “Bigbelly doesn’t look feasible,” she said. In working with the company’s legal representative and the Office of the County attorney over the past months, she continued, she was unable to satisfy all the demands on both sides. For example, Cece pointed out, she would have had to estimate the number of new liners the Bigbelly would need over a five-year period. She also would have had to ensure the contract to lease the equipment had sufficient contingency funds built into it to deal with any damage — or even the destruction — of the Bigbelly. “Beautiful,” is the word she used to describe the Bigbelly itself. “It has an app; it’s really great.” It would have held about 150 gallons of recyclables on one side and about 80 gallons of garbage on the other. The app would have been used to determine when it needed to be emptied, she indicated. She and Michael Shay, the Village Maintenance Corp. manager, had remained determined to try the Bigbelly on a pilot basis at the Canal Road/Ocean Boulevard intersection, she continued. However, knowing the history of accidents at that corner, she said, “The chance of the equipment being damaged or destroyed was real.” The owners of Village property assessed for expenses of the Village’s Public Improvement District could have been liable for replacing it, she noted. (Just a short while earlier, Shay had related the saga of follow-up necessary after a driver hit the bollard next to The Lobster Pot in Gluten December. The bollard will be replaced, he said. The Village has a number Free of those posts with lights that come on at night, to help illuminate people in the crosswalks.) “I thought the lease was the way to go,” Cece said of the Bigbelly. “Unfortunately, they just made it impossible,” she added, referring to the attorneys on both the county and company sides.

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On a more positive note, Lisa Cece, the special district coordinator for Sarasota County, told Siesta Key Chamber members on Feb. 20 that she had just submitted the Siesta Village Maintenance District budget for the 2020 fiscal year to county financial staff. “The revenue collection continues to drop,” she said, referring to the annual assessments owners of property in the district pay for the Village upkeep. “You’re paying less every year,” she added, looking at some of the property owners during the meeting. For 2020, she continued, the total assessments will be about $130,000, down from about $140,000 in this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, 2018. Continued on page 20

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Flavors of India Sarasota - Authentic Indian cuisine celebrating 7 years Flavors of India Sarasota is located in a strip mall about ¼ mile south of the Stickney Point Bridge. The outside of this restaurant appears unassuming, but as you enter you may think you’re in Indian heaven taking in the aromas that greet you with their authentic Indian Cuisine. To help celebrate their 7th anniversary, Flavors of India is offering their daily lunch buffets at $5.99 during the week. Buffet luncheons are served from 11:30 am – 3 pm and offer a generous selection of items. The dinner menu is being discounted at 25% and starts from 3 p.m. and lasts until 10 pm. On the weekends they offer a Maharaja Buffet for $12.99. Menu selections are also available for lunch. In addition to the traditional Mango Lassi, Masala tea, and Madras coffee, beer and wine are also available for lunch and dinner. From the many positive reviews, it is evident service and kitchen staff are professionally trained and continuously work to provide a quality service experience. As one customer noted, “Fantastic! Greeted by smiles and enthusiasm in this lovely, cozy Indian restaurant.” As for the food, well, just take a glimpse of some of the many comments posted on yelp and Trip Advisor. ***Reeeeally great flavors. I don’t eat buffets usually but my friend and I were in a pinch for time so I made a compromise.... I’ve now returned 4 times. This is unlike any buffet I have had Indian or otherwise. It goes on and on: chutneys, salsas, salads, a couple vegetarian and several meat curries, rice and Briyani dishes, breads and desserts, with plenty of fresh Naan brought to the table - perfectly cooked and not greasy. Both times everything was very fresh and good quality, super flavorful! It’s only $10

Island Chatter

too - ridiculously good - it’s a must try. ***Went for dinner on a Wednesday night and my group had a paneer dish, a lamb dish and a vegetarian dish along with Mango Lassi and paneer naan. All were excellent. The service was very good, our server was very friendly and helpful. The rice was particularly tasty, I’m always impressed when a restaurant manages to master something that is so simple. The lamb vindaloo was VERY spicy, which is exactly how I like it. Delicious food, reasonable prices and great service. Highly recommend this place if you’re in the area. ***Just recently discovered via Yelp review. New owners. Food is authentic, fresh, beautifully prepared. They are from Kerala and menu offerings include many North and South Indian favorites. Kerala style shrimp curry was outstanding. Lunch buffet is varied and generous! Wait staff informative, welcoming and kind-hearted!!

***I have dined here once and I have to say the food was outstanding. When I dine out I rarely eat Indian as I never feel that the food taste like home (I am Indian). But my experience at Flavors of India was different. The beef fry was so much like the one u get back home. I tried beef, shrimp, Chole Bature and also a goat curry. Every single dish was delicious! Great

staff and friendly service!!! ***The best buffet selection I’ve seen in a long time! The food was delicious. They have a great assortment of food from samosas to goat rogen josh! Everything is worth trying! And the chicken tikka masala is sooo good! Open on Sunday’s and has a very friendly staff. We will be returning again very soon. ***This is an excellent Indian restaurant and I’ve eaten at several throughout the US. Authentic and delicious and great service too! ***I highly recommend this restaurant! My family and I just moved here from Texas and we love Indian food so we decided to go there. We started with some samosas and as soon as we opened them steam came out; you can tell that they were just made and they tasted delicious! I split the butter chicken with my mom and that was plenty for the both of us (basmati rice included). The sauce was to die for and the chicken was extremely tender to the point where I didn’t need a knife to cut it. My dad got the chicken vindaloo and I’ve never seen him devour a meal so quickly! He even asked for a second helping of rice. Our waiter was amazing and the atmosphere was relaxing. We have definitely found our hidden gem in paradise! ***7 of us eat dinner at Flavors of India and we all would rate the experience with 5 stars. Every entree was well prepared, with excellent sauces, generous sizes, and good service. It’s been hard to find a 5 star Indian restaurant. While only open 5 months, they have already set a high bar. This place is now a must on all our lists. “Our customers are our guests, and we treat our guests like god,” say co-owners Lijo Lukose and Sijil Mon Thomas,“ ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ is our motto.” That pretty much sums up why they have such a loyal following. Flavors of India is located at 7119 S Tamiami Trail, Ste. E, Sarasota, FL 34231. (941) 921-9200. Hours of operation are: Mon, Wed, and Thurs - 11:30 am - 9:30 pm. Fri, Sat, Sun - 11:30 am - 10:00 pm. They are closed on Tuesdays. (Advertorial)

Continued from page 14

Registration is also available for single players and award luncheon only guests. Golf registration includes: light breakfast, awards luncheon, cart fee, golf balls & tees, team photo, and hole prizes. Select sponsorship opportunities are also available. Registration and sponsorship information is available online at siestakeychamber.com or contact Rachel Dixon, at the Chamber at 941-349-3800. Proceeds support the programs and services of the Chamber.

Siesta and the Appalachians A number of the attendees at the Siesta Key Association’s Annual Breakfast Meeting on March 2 indicated by their

responses to remarks of the guest speaker that they were unfamiliar with the geological history of Siesta Key. The speaker was Dr. Philip M. Farrell, emeritus dean and professor of pediatrics & population health sciences at the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He and his grandson, Thomas Philip Farrell, have written a book — The Illustrated History of Siesta Key — that has proven very popular among island residents and visitors alike, as this reporter can attest, based on information from a family member who has spent a bit of time on the island this season. Dr. Farrell explained on March 2 that the sugar white sand of Siesta originated in the Appalachian Mountains,

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which once were the height of the Himalayas, about 25,000 feet. Now, he noted, the Appalachians generally stand between 3,000 and 5,000 feet tall. All that extra material migrated to Florida, he pointed out. “That’s the gift from the Appalachians to Florida.” On another note, Farrell reported that Point of Rocks “is the only rock formation on Florida’s Gulf Coast in the 30 barrier island system. It probably resulted from a meteor strike.” The Point of Rocks area, he added, is estimated to be no more than 3,000 years old, while the rest of the Key is about 2,000 years old.

Big Water Fish Market Retail Market & Restaurant Now with 2 Locations on Siesta Key to Serve You

South Siesta Key Original Location: 6641 Midnight Pass Rd, Crescent Plaza

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Continued on page 42

Monday - Grouper BLT Tuesday - Tuna Tuesdays Wednesday - Softshell Crab Sandwich Thursday - Lobster Roll Friday - Pompano Cubano Open Mon – Sat: 11am – 9pm Open for Lunch and Dinner Sun: 4-9PM (Dinner Only) www.bigwaterfishmarket.com

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TripAdvisor to remit ‘bed tax’ revenue to Sarasota County in connection with accommodations services provided through its website By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

The Sarasota County Commission has approved an agreement with TripAdvisor that will allow the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office to collect county “bed tax” revenue from owners of accommodations advertised through the website. The unanimous vote came as the board addressed its Consent Agenda of routine business items on Feb. 26. Coincidentally, the action followed TripAdvisor’s announcement of its 2019 Top 25 U.S. Beaches list. Siesta Beach, which has been No. 1 in the past and was No. 2 last year, dropped to sixth place. The compilation was based on travelers’ reviews over the previous 12 months, TripAdvisor reported. A Feb. 26 memo from Kimberli Radtke, director of the county’s Office of Financial Management, explained of the bed tax agreement, “TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries operate an internet-based platform that allows homeowners to advertise the availability of their properties to travelers seeking accommodations through various brands and websites …” Among those, she noted, are www.flipkey.com, www. holidaylettings.co.uk, www.housetrip.com, www.niumba.com, www. tripadvisor.com and www.vacationhomerentals.com. “The voluntary collection agreement,” Radtke wrote in the memo, “will facilitate the reporting, collection, and remittance of tourist development tax (TDT) in Sarasota County,” as provided for in the Florida Statutes and Chapter 114 of the county’s Code of Ordinances. The agreement calls for the 5% TDT, or bed tax, to be remitted “based upon the amount charged by the homeowner, including rental fees, service fees, booking fees, cleaning fees, property damage fees and any other use-related fees,” Radtke added. The collections are to begin on April 1, the agreement says. “TDT will not be collected on the traveler service fee charged by TripAdvisor and its subsidiaries to guests,” Radtke pointed out in the memo. Furthermore, “The Clerk of the Court of Sarasota County will have the ability to audit TripAdvisor but not the individual guest or homeowner related to an audit,” she noted. The agreement makes it clear that if the Clerk’s Office requests that the action in connection with an audit, TripAdvisor will have to submit “all applicable transaction data based on reservation ID, or other type of transaction ID, as maintained by TripAdvisor in its ordinary course of business.” Further, the agreement says that if TripAdvisor approves a contract for collections with any other county or municipality in Florida — or with the Florida Department of Revenue — through which it will disclose the names of homeowners, guests “and/or address data … with respect to Tourist Taxes,” then the agreement with Sarasota County “shall be deemed to be automatically amended” to require the disclosure of all that same information to Sarasota County, “as applicable to short-term rentals …” Under the aegis of state law, the agreement explains, TripAdvisor has to maintain a complete record of homeowner properties. Kari Jorgenson, assistant general counsel of TripAdvisor, signed the agreement on Feb. 20, the document shows. Siesta’s latest TripAdvisor ranking In TripAdvisor’s 2019 list of the Top 25 beaches in the United States, Clearwater was named No. 1, followed by Ka’anapali Beach in Lahaina, Hawaii. Continued on page 21

BURGERS, BOWLS, & CRAFT BEER! Gulf Gate Food + Beer is a modern spin on the classic sports bar. Yes, there are lots of TVs, great chicken wings, and paper towel rolls on each table, but it’s a whole lot more than that. The rustic décor, blue tufted leather booths, and unique menu options really set it apart from the average sports bar we all know and love. Owners Casey & Mike feel diners are more quality conscious and want to experience more unique menu items when dining out. Mike & Casey With that in mind they’ve put together a menu that is anything but typical. The menu features a selection of craft burgers, unique sandwiches, vegetarian & vegan options, fun shareable sides & appetizers, & protein bowls served over sticky rice, quinoa, or a citrus arugula base. The variety and creativity of the menu has made this a hit with the Gulf Gate & Siesta Key Kona Blue Cheese Burger locals. Looking for a drink? If craft beers is your passion they have 16 draft lines that rotate often but always feature beers from local breweries. Calusa, Big Top, Jdubs, Motorworks, & Naughty Monk to name a few. They have a modest but decent wine list which features a $4 house white & house red all day every day. Cocktails anyone? Gulf Gate Food + Beer does not have a full liquor license, but they do have craft cocktails made blue cheese burger” that is topped with blue from sake & wine based spirts. Also featured is cheese crumbles, bacon, caramelized onions and a $3.50 mimosa daily and a mimosa flight with a Kona coffee rub. I’d recommend having it while watching your March Madness team on any of 4 different juices & garnishes. For the vegetarian crowd Gulf Gate Food + the 16 TV’s. They also have the MLB & NFL Beer proudly serves the plant based “impossible packages so don’t miss a game this upcoming burger” made by www.impossiblefoods.com. season! They also make a “meatless meatball” appetizer The kitchen is open late every night of the week and a “NO MEAT ball sub”. You heard that serving a full menu from open until close. Friday right… a meatball sub made without meat. & Saturday they are open until 2am and 1am all They serve this on a garlic bread hoagie, with other nights. Gulf Gate Food + Beer has become mozzarella & parmesan cheeses, spinach & their the late-night hot spot with the service industry, night owls, & midnight snackers! From 11am to pink marinara. Semi typical sports bar fare? Come check 3pm Monday through Friday they offer a cheap out the PB+J wings made with peanut butter lunch for $6.99 as well. and a house made jalapeno jelly. Are you a So if you haven’t had the chance yet come check burger lover? They have 5 different types of out Gulf Gate Food + Beer. Say hello to Mike craft burgers that are all available in a single or & Casey and come enjoy some craft beers with double patty version. My favorite is the “Kona some south Sarasota locals! Advertorial

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Seafood lovers, it’s good and fresh

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Yelp review: I see why this place is all five stars. Amazing find, tucked away in a nondescript strip mall adds to its local, simple vibe. Best seafood I have had in a long time. Service made it feel like we were part of the family, four happy diners tonight. If you read this post, stop searching and start eating. Seriously do not pass up this little gem.

Here’s what more patrons are saying about the restaurant on line: Tried this place last night on a whim and it did not disappoint! Everything from the staff, to the menu, to the meal itself was perfection. It’s a small place and luckily we’d come in between dinner rushes and got a table right away. Within 10 mins the place was full again. The wait staff was smiling and helpful. We shared stone crab soup to start with a couple of ice cold beers, tons of crab in the soup and excellent flavor. For our meals we got blackened tripletail and snow crab claws. Each came with a side of roasted potatoes. I can’t say enough about how fresh and delicious the entire meal was. We will be back! WOW! WOW! WOW! This place is a hidden gem! Fish was fresh today and you could taste the difference. Very clean kitchen. They cooked the fish to perfection and the presentation was 5 stars like you would expect at a fancy resort; those extra added steps. This place is the real deal. Only thing that made me upset was that I never knew it was here before. Sooooood GOOD! This is must try! I was so glad to find this cute restaurant and fish market. To get a high-quality fish you need a fish market and this fits the bill. I wanted a takeout fish plate and I got the blackened pompano with potatoes and corn. I made a salad at home and had a beautiful meal. The corn was not overlooked. It also has a big counter so the next time I will order some oysters and try another dish. It’s much bigger than I thought. I am going to become a regular. 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)

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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.

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

It’s that time of year again By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Spring break has been well underway on the Key, Sgt. Paul Cernansky, leader of the Sheriff’s Office substation at Siesta Public Beach, has reported. “If you guys haven’t noticed the traffic, we definitely did this past weekend at the beach,” he said during the quarterly meeting of Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members. Apparently, Cernansky has taken some time to delve into Siesta history, because Sgt. Paul Cernansky he pointed out that Sheriff’s Office personnel has been handling certain spring break issues for decades, including complaints about trying to find parking spaces. “Same as in the ’70s, and before that,” he said. Further, as he has explained to Siesta Key Association (SKA) members, Cernansky told the Chamber members that he has been using data in an effort to adjust the scheduling of shifts and the number of officers on the Key. “We more or less have doubled our presence out here on the island,” he said. The Sheriff’s Office philosophy since Sheriff Tom Knight took over in 2009 has been intelligence-led policing, Cernansky pointed out. Cernansky has been following that approach on the Key. “The lack of crime is what we want to have.” Although the number of people on the beach already had increased by mid-February, Cernansky reported during the SKA’s March Annual Breakfast Meeting, that the official Spring Break Operations Plan for the Sheriff’s Office began on March 1. The department will have double staffing coverage on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, he added. The Mounted Patrol officers also will be working full-time on the Key, Cernansky told the Chamber members. “All of our resources will all be out here to make sure that everything goes smoothly.” Michael Shay, maintenance manager for Siesta Village, took the opportunity on to ask Cernansky about a thought Shay had been pondering: “Speaking of spring break, with the damage done by Hurricane Michael in the Panhandle, are we anticipating more spring breakers?” “I would,” Cernansky replied. Given the fact that red tide deterred visitors last year, he continued, “I think people really want to doubledown on their spring break experience. I would expect to see more people, and it’s great for all the merchants.” Nonetheless, Cernansky said, the more people, the more traffic.

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Sheriff’s Report February 19 - March 18, 2019

There were 19 crimes reported on the Key between 2/19-3/18/19

2/23/19 Burglary – Residential Address withheld due to Marcy’s Law A man reported a bundle of NEST products was taken from his garage sometime within the last month. The set contained an alarm system, indoor camera, outdoor camera, lock, doorbell, thermostat, and temperature sensor ($1590). The complainant explained his home has been under construction since last September. He was not sure when the house was unsecured as the windows had been replaced. Upon speaking with a NEST representative, he was told that the set had been registered and activated at another location. A deputy contacted a NEXT representative and was told that all the items had been linked to the same account and that it was not the same account used to purchase the items. He was not able to provide the personal identifiable information connected to it. He advised he would forward the case to the legal department. Neighbors had not seen anything suspicious outside of the usual contractors coming and going. 2/24/19 Burglary- Vehicle Address withheld due to Marcy’s Law A man reported his Jeep had been tampered with on the inside and he believed someone had slept in it through the night. A knife was located on the driver’s side floorboard. He said he had last seen the Jeep the night before when he returned home. He did not believe anyone was inside it at the time. The next morning, the seat had been lowered significantly, the stick shift was in a different location and the rear-view mirror was moved. He said he usually leaves the car unlocked as the plastic window can be unzipped. He added that nothing appeared missing or damaged. The foldable knife was found in the open position. The car and knife were processed for fingerprints. 3/1/19 Theft 6000 Block Sarasea Circle A man reported his rental bike was stolen. The bike had been locked to a palm tree on the evening of 2/28. On the morning of 3/1, the man returned and found the cable was cut and the bike was gone. The men’s Fuji bike was valued at $300. 3/4/19 Petit Theft 6400 Block Midnight Pass Rd A woman reported her beach bag was taken from a beach chair after it was unattended for approximately 1 hour. The bag contained a key fob ($200) house and work keys and a rainbow towel. 3/5/19 Theft Address withheld due to Marcy’s Law A woman reported a jewelry theft. She explained she had recently hired a new cleaning lady. On March 3rd she noticed one of her drawers had been

Village news

Sheriff’s Office reminding everyone to lock vehicles “We most recently had a rash of vehicle burglaries,” Sgt. Paul Cernansky told Siesta Chamber members during their quarterly meeting. The Sheriff’s Office can do only so much about that type of crime, he pointed out. “We can only tell people so many times to lock their car doors.” “Vehicle burglary” refers to a situation in which a person enters a vehicle that does not belong to the person and then steals or tries to steal items. Officers are working to try to determine whether they can catch the perpetrators, Cernansky pointed out. Still, he stressed that he welcomes the support of business owners in reminding customers about locking vehicles.

Is the Sip-N-Cycle legal? During the January Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, Sgt. Paul Cernansky, leader of the Sheriff’s Office substation on the Key, fielded questions about a new means of tourist transport — the Sip-N-Cycle. Members of the audience questioned the legality of the vehicle, as people riding it typically are drinking beverages other than water and lemonade, shall we say. It took some digging into the Florida Statutes, but Cernansky has reported to both SKA and Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members that the vehicle is considered a “commercial mega-cycle” under state law. “It’s exempt from the open container laws,” he told the Chamber members during their Feb. 20 quarterly meeting. Additionally, Cernansky said, the vehicle does not have to have to be registered with the state “because it is mostly human-powered and it has a route that it goes on.” He wanted to make sure island business owners are aware of the SipN-Cycle’s status, he said, in the event customers ask them questions. Based on the Sip-N-Cycle website, and a YouTube video, the vehicle loads and unloads passengers at Blasé Café in Siesta Village.

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rummaged through and she did not know why. She had been assisting her husband in the shower and the cleaner was the only other person in the apartment. When she was questioned the suspect agreed to have her vehicle and purse checked by the woman’s friend and her husband’s nurse. The jewelry was found in a bag on the front passenger seat of the suspect’s car. At first, the suspect did not say anything when confronted. She later said she did not know why she took the silver bracelet because she likes gold. The woman later called the suspect and told her she would not call the police if the suspect returned all of the missing jewelry. The woman returned an hour later with all of the missing jewelry. When she was asked by the woman why she would steal from her when she has been so good to her the suspect responded via a translation app on her phone “sick” and “doctor no help”. The cleaning company she works for was contacted and explained that they had fired the suspect. The woman wanted to pursue criminal charges in order to prevent this from happening to anyone else. 3/8/19 Theft 5000 Block Midnight Pass Rd A deputy responded to a possible theft of multiple power tools at a condominium. Video footage was provided to him which showed a newspaper delivery man entering the condo elevators with his newspapers and leaving empty handed. He is then seen reentering the building with an empty bag and leaving with a bag that appears to have something in it. Working crews had previously left the power tools in a bucket near a stairwell on one of the floors the delivery man visited. When the crews returned the next day the tools ($450) were gone. The newspaper was unable to release any personal information to the complainant or the deputy. 3/10/19 Battery 5200 Block Ocean Blvd An employee of a village restaurant reported an altercation with a customer. The customer was being escorted out of the establishment for causing a disturbance, when the door closed in front of the employee, preventing him from escorting the suspect out. When the employee opened the door to walk outside, it accidentally hit the suspect in the back. The suspect turned around and threw the employee against a wall. The employee did not wish to press charges. The suspect left the area without any issues. 3/10/19 Burglary - Vehicle Public Beach Over $2000 worth of electronics and $400-$600 in cash were stolen out of a rental van parked at the beach. The van was accidentally left unlocked for approximately 1 hour. The stolen items included a Lenovo laptop computer, Switch video console, 3 switch video games, and a Nikon camera.

Continued from page 16

She reminded everyone that in 2017, the county advertised separate bids for Village maintenance, instead of having one business handle everything. Under the separate bid process, one vendor covers the custodial work, while the second handles the landscaping initiatives. “I think, if you all agree,” Cece added, “it’s working better than in the past.” In advance of the County Commission’s passage of the 2019 fiscal year budget, the list of millage rates applied to special districts countywide showed that the FY19 rate for property owners in the Siesta Key Village Public Improvement District was falling by 21.46%, compared to the FY18 rate. “I pay down the reserve fund to keep your assessments as low as possible,” Cece said during the Feb. 20 meeting. Nonetheless, she noted, the Village does have more challenges, especially with the increasing number of excavations to add new utility lines to businesses and with the aging of infrastructure.

Troubles with the trash Another issue that arose during the Feb. 20 Siesta Chamber meeting also was related to trash. Lisa Cece, the special district coordinator for Sarasota County, reported continuing problems with individuals putting their personal garbage in the Village cans. A county Code Enforcement officer has visited offenders when Cece or Michael Shay, Maintenance Corp. manager, has been able to identify someone by items in the trash, Cece added. The commingling of personal materials with Village waste, Shay pointed out, creates a problem for employees of the company that handles the Village custodial work. “The garbage pail gets filled and then becomes unsightly. … It’s not because the workers are not picking up the garbage.” One routine offender, Cece continued, was a man

who lives in a condominium to the north of the Village. She and Shay realized that the man must have been stopping beside a garbage can as he drove into the Village, so he could dump his personal trash into that can, Cece said. “We pulled that can across the street,” she added, referring to herself and Shay. “That took care of that,” she said, as it no longer was convenient for the man to use the garbage pail. However, the can at the southern entrance to the Village is bolted down, Cece explained. “We have one person that comes out repetitively and puts her garbage in there and doesn’t care.”

More bicyclists in the Village Starting this month, visitors who come to Siesta Village by bicycle will have a new place to “park” their bikes. A new seven-space bike rack was expected to be installed at Bonjour French Café by the end of March, according to reports at the Feb. 20 Siesta Chamber’s quarterly meeting for members. Three benches had been situated in the vicinity of the restaurant, Village Maintenance Corp. Manager Michael Shay explained, but one of them had sustained quite a bit of damage. Because it was deemed beyond repair, Shay continued, the decision was made to replace it with a bike rack. “People have been tying bicycles to the benches and the trees,” he pointed out. “We didn’t really want that …” Lisa Cece, the special district coordinator for Sarasota County, added, “A lot more people are coming into the Village to have their lunch,” and many of them are riding bicycles. She ordered the bike rack on Feb. 19, she said. It usually takes four to five weeks to get it delivered, she noted.

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Fire Station 13 handled more EMS than fire calls Rachel Brown Hackney in 2018 By SarasotaNewsLeader.com Out of the 63,426 incidents countywide last year to which Sarasota County Fire Department vehicles rolled, Siesta Key’s Fire Station No. 13 handled 1,520. That was just one of multiple statistics Fire Chief Michael Regnier provided members of the Siesta Key Condominium Council during their Feb. 19 meeting. The month with the fewest calls was September, which had a total of 82, a chart showed. March and July were tied for the months with the highest number: 172. The mean response time was 5.9 minutes, Regnier told the audience. “Six minutes seems like an eternity,” he acknowledged. “We know that.” Still, pointing to the answers the department has received to a survey it sends out after incidents, he said, “We have about a 99% satisfaction rate, which I’m very proud of.” Of all the calls on Siesta in 2018, 1,212 were EMS-related, according to the statistics Regnier provided audience members. That meant only 308 of the total involved fire calls. Of the latter, 128 were related to alarms, the handout said. The department reported six swimming/recreational water rescues and seven watercraft rescues off Siesta in 2018; another 18 calls requested rescues of people trapped in elevators, the report showed. During the Condominium Council meeting, Regnier also took the opportunity to talk about an initiative underway that could increase the efficiency of the Fire Department without its having to add personnel, which it costs taxpayers money, he noted. If a person calls 911 today for a medical problem, Regnier explained, “We’re going to respond with red lights and siren.” A unit is required to head out on a call within 25 seconds, he continued. However, that often does not give the 911 dispatcher sufficient time to determine details about the reason for the call. While a rescue unit is in transit, Regnier said, the dispatcher continues to ask the caller questions. In some cases, he noted, a modification to the response is appropriate. For example, Regnier said, an older person who fell the previous day might not have had enough discomfort to seek medical help then. However, by the following day, the person is having difficulty standing. If that person is alone, the person might call 911 for a rescue unit. An ambulance would respond and take the person to a medical center, Regnier continued. However, he pointed out, that is not an emergency. Regnier has been talking with County Administrator Jonathan Lewis about adding 10 to 15 seconds to that 25-second response time. That would allow a dispatcher to determine whether an ambulance needs to be dispatched more quickly or perhaps not at all, he said. A fire truck might be the more appropriate vehicle to send, Regnier explained. “It’s very important to know that information,” he added. As he did last year, Regnier also pointed out to the Condominium Council audience that the same type of medical equipment that is on every county ambulance is also on every county fire truck, and the crews are cross-trained: Firefighters can handle medical emergencies, and Emergency Medical Service crew members can fight fires. The only thing a fire truck cannot do, of course, he said, is transport a person to a hospital. Additionally, Regnier told the audience that the Fire Department uses a system that can control the traffic signals when units are being dispatched to an emergency. A crew can turn all the lights green in the direction of travel. “So that helps us tremendously on the responses to the island if you call 911.” Crews also are able to contact the drawbridge tender in an emergency, Regnier said, to ensure a bridge will not go up as a Fire Department or EMS vehicle is on approach to the island. As he wrapped up his remarks, Regnier said, “I’ve been here 30 years. … This fire service is — I can tell you — second to none. I look all over the nation.”

TripAdvisor Continued from page 18

Saint Pete Beach was No. 4; Pensacola, No. 5; St. Augustine Beach, No. 8; and Fort Lauderdale Beach, No. 9. TripAdvisor noted that it had received 7,177 reviews of Siesta Beach, which won an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. Of those reviews, 4,969 ranked the beach “Excellent.” However, 92 marked it as “Poor,” and another 82 ranked it “Terrible,” TripAdvisor’s website says. One February reviewer wrote of Siesta Beach, “Awesome!” That comment added, “Although there are typically a lot of people here, the beach can accommodate without a problem. The sand is like nowhere else!” Another review in February pointed out that red tide is gone, while a third referred to the “Stunning white beach,” calling it “A piece of paradise.” Further down, a West Bloomfield, Mich., reviewer in July 2018 gave Siesta three stars, writing, “A great beach but the village is getting way too crowded.” That reviewer also cited red tide, which mostly has disappeared from the Southwest Florida coast, based on the latest reports of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). A review of the first three of pages of reviews on the TripAdvisor website found rankings of five stars for Siesta, except for the July 2018 comments and two examples with four stars — one from a Lawrenceville, Ga., reviewer in February; the other, from a Montreal reviewer, also in February. The Georgia person wrote, “This is a very crowded beach with the best possible sand and lifeguards on duty. Very shallow beach and very good for families.” `The Montreal reviewer also noted the crowding, adding, “Parking a challenge unless you get there early!” However, that same person pointed out, “Great soft sugar sand.”

APRIL 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Key Chorale Chamber Singers Present Fauré’s Requiem The Key Chorale Chamber Series concludes on April 13th with “Fauré’s Requiem.” In this thoughtful setting, the soul journeys from this life to the next on wings of glorious song. Quiet and reflective, the Fauré Requiem forgoes the fire and brimstone of many settings, and instead offers music that soothes and consoles. Fauré wrote: “everything I managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my Requiem.” Everything I managed to entertain by way of religious illusion I put into my Requiem, which moreover is dominated from beginning to end by a very human feeling of faith in eternal rest.” The Chamber Singers will present an intimate version of this masterpiece with harpist Giuseppina Ciarla, violinist Natalia Maiden, and organist Nancy Yost Olson. Ciarla and Maiden, both members of the Sarasota Opera orchestra, will also be featured in Jules Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs and a lovely Sicilienne played for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Fauré’s masterwork is unique. The composer himself said, “My Requiem has been said to express no fear of death; it has been called a lullaby of death. But that is how I feel about death: a happy deliverance, a reaching for eternal happiness rather than a mournful passing away…. Perhaps I have sought to depart from what is conventional because for so long I was organist at services of internment. I’m fed up with that. I wanted to do something different.” Of all seven sections, the Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei and Natalia Maiden, violinist & Giuseppina Ciarla, harpist In Paradisum emerge as the most glorious, filled with rich, soulful melodies. The final movement speaks of a chorus of angels welcoming the soul and leading it toward Paradise. “This work has always been a favorite of mine,” says Artistic Director Joseph Caulkins. “There are so many stunning moments with beautiful melodies and harmonies that are absolutely heavenly.” Baritone soloist Jamal Sarikoki will be featured in two of the movements as well as Michelle Caulkins who will sing one of Fauré’s most beloved melodies, the Pie Jesu. She will also be featured along with organist Nancy Yost Olson in Benjamin Britten’s Festival Te Deum. Rounding out the program will Jamal Sarikoki Michelle Caulkins be three gospel inspired spirituals, Cornerstone, I’ll Be On My Way, and O! What a Beautiful City – all by Los Angeles based This 75-minute concert, no intermission, will take composer/arranger Shawn Kirchner. place at St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta “Kirchner’s music has such a freshness to it,” says Key. For more information about purchasing tickets Caulkins. “These 3 settings have such drive to them to Fauré Requiem or any of their Season 34 concerts, that I am certain they will be some of our audience’s visit www.keychorale.org or call 941-921-4845. favorites of the season.”

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Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

Snapshots of Island Visitors

Aionia age 5, Dana, & Aethra age 5 from Orlando

Kyle & Alexie from MN

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

“Best Restaurant for Steak” for the past five consecutive years

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Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Madeline age 7 & Kimberly from Sarasota

Cade age 7, Nathan, & Madi from OH

Karly, Emma age 9, Eli age 6, & Leah from Tampa

Douglas from MA & Jasmine from FL

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APRIL 2019

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 28

VILLAGE MAP pgs 24 - 25

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 47

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 26

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GULF GATE SHOPS pg 30 - 31

Siesta Key Drum Circle Every Sunday is a perfect time to come to the Key to reconnect with Mother Nature and to enjoy some wonderful entertainment. I’m talking about the Siesta Key Drum Circle that takes place each Sunday starting about an hour before sunset and lasting until about 10 p.m. The gathering meets up just south of the main pavilion - just follow your ears and watch for the swelling crowd. Please note the following rules of etiquette that need to be observed at the Drum Circle so that all can enjoy the experience: the inside of the drum circle is for participants only, not for people

standing around. Feel free to enter the circle, take a picture and dance, but always keep moving. Never play someone’s drum without getting clearance from the owner. Always ask before borrowing other people’s property, especially hula hoops. Flash photography and bright video lights are distracting, so photograph during daylight or use a night vision camera. And finally, please do not drink alcohol or smoke inside the circle and respect our beach by placing all trash in the appropriate receptacles. Photo by Dennis Gottschalk as shared in Siesta Key Drum Circle Facebook page.

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Siesta Sand

Off Key

APRIL 2019

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By Robert Frederickson

Van Wezel Stalks Larger Prey... The long-standing rap against Van Wezel audiences has been the annoying habit of some patrons distracting performers and fellow audience members alike by leaving before the end of a show in order to beat the traffic rush. Well, there was none of that on display on opening weekend of the Lion King’s twoand-a-half week run at the famed Purple People Seater by the bay that continues through March 31st. All those in attendance for the Friday night show my wife and I attended were locked into the production’s non-stop spectacle of sound, motion and color; most even remained through the standing ovation that continued beyond the final curtain call. The extended run, which includes 23 performances, is unprecedented for a Van Wezel booking. If the run is a box office success – which appears likely as this is written with many of the performances already sold-out – it could be a game changer for the auditorium, leading to fewer instances of booking agents overlooking the smaller Sarasota market in favor of Tampa and its Straz Theater, with its greater capacity of 2400 seats versus the Van Wezel’s 1700. In any case, kudos to the Van Wezel’s executive director Mary Bensell and her staff for bringing this iconic show to the area, and with it the prospect of more large canvass events to come.

Boeing’s Self-Inflicted Wound?

There was an interesting discussion on talk radio recently

From Purple People Seater’s Roar of a Score to Campaign Slogan Bore… in the aftermath of the FAA grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max 8 aircraft after two of the planes fell from the sky, killing all on board in separate crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Rush Limbaugh and several of his callers with aviation backgrounds noted the extreme competition between US based Boeing and the European Union consortium, Airbus, suggesting that rivalry may have unduly accelerated Boeing’s rollout and marketing of the ‘new’ model. When a new aircraft goes to market airlines not only have to consider the cost of the plane itself but also the time and expense involved in training their pilots on how to operate the new flight platform. That’s why many major airlines opt to stick with existing models their pilots and maintenance staffs are already familiar with. This has led to speculation that Boeing’s decision to name its ‘new’ 737 Max using the familiar 7-3-7 series designation was made with this in mind. Buyers with an existing fleet of older 737s might have inferred that they would save substantial sums by ordering a plane their workforce was already familiar with. But here’s the thing: As Limbaugh and several callers pointed out, despite the 7-3-7 prefix, the plane is very different in size and avionics and apparently - flight characteristics - than the older model 737s the new planes were in many instances purchased to replace. Perhaps complacency trumped better judgment on the part of some airlines and even Boeing itself, leading to an assumption that the usual learning curve needed

to fly the new 737 Max 8 would not be as steep as should have reasonably been expected. Two unexplained crashes later Boeing might now be wishing it had rolled the new model out as precisely that: an entirely new model, emphasizing a more in depth training regimen to familiarize pilots with how the plane responds to various flight scenarios. It’s like your mother always said: shortcuts don’t always work out as planned.

In Other Transportation News... The Sarasota County Commission has decided to park - for now - plans to turn over the SCAT bus system to a private operator. Drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers made their voices heard in recent weeks protesting the plan after news broke about a proposal the county had received from the company Transdev that offered at least $2.5 million in annual savings off the county’s current $30 million SCAT budget. Employees clearly figured it was a good bet those savings would come at their expense, despite Transdev’s claims to the contrary. But the county has tapped the brakes, apparently relenting to employee and union pressure by opting to table any privatization plans, at least for the time being. So it will be more of the same: a $30 million SCAT budget featuring in some instances near empty buses rolling down

Map D #11

Map B #42

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ACCOMMODATIONS Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa.......... Map-A #38A ART GALLERY / STUDIO The Gallery on Siesta Key............. Map-D #11 ATM / BANKS Martin Funding................................. Map-E #1 PNC ATM.........................................Map-C #61 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.................... Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blaśe Café....................................... Map-A #38 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 My Village Pub......................... Map-C #53/54 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub-Baja Grill......................... Map-D #59 COFFEE SHOPS LeLu’s Coffee Lounge...................Map-B #31 The Local Bean............................... Map-D #62 DRUGSTORE Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65 FASHION & ACCESSORIES Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack..... Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.............................. Map-B #30 Comfort Shoes-Birki & More..... Map-D #64 Everything But Water.................... Map-D #12 Foxy Lady Fashions....................... Map-A #40 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions.........Map-B #44 Island Boutique............................... Map-B #50 Island Style.......................................Map-C #53 Marley Vibes..................................... Map-D #9 Sea Shanty........................................Map-C #24 Siesta T’s........................................... Map-B #30 Swell Things.................................... Map-D #66 The Sandal Factory......................... Map-B #46 GAS STATION Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar.................................. Map-C #28 Gilligan’s Gift Store........................ Map-B #32 Island Trader....................................Map-C #51 Sea Pleasures & Treasures.............Map-C #29 Siesta Key Outfitters..................... Map-D #11 Siesta Kids........................................ Map-B #36 HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ............ Map-D #10 Siesta Healing................................... Map-D #9 Siesta Key Fitness..........................Map-B #73 ICE CREAM/TREATS Big Olaf Creamery..........................Map-C #52 Ciao Gelato.......................................Map-C #50 Curly Cream Ice Cream................... Map-D #9 Local Chill Ice Cream.................... Map-D #60 Made in Rome Gelato.....................Map-C #53 Meany’s Mini Donuts.....................Map-C #24 SubZero Ice Cream/Yogurt.......... Map-D #16 Sunni Bunni Frozen Yogurt...........Map-C #53 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs............................ Map-D #65 LeLu’s Coffee Lounge...................Map-B #31 The Local Bean............................... Map-D #62 JEWELRY Created Gems..................................Map-C #51 Mount -N- Repair Jewelers............. Map-D #9 LIQUOR STORES / FINE WINES Gabbiano’s Wine Club................. Map-D #70 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 Siesta Key Wine Bar........................Map-C #61 Siesta Village Liquors.................. Map-C #26 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22

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APRIL 2019

an ultimately unsustainable road. For real long-term job security, employees would be better served by working with a management team committed to making the current system run more efficiently. That’s the only true source of job security. Instead, it’s just a matter of time before it becomes obvious the busses could be parked and every current rider simply given a means-tested Uber voucher for their trips with the result that none of those drivers and mechanics will have jobs and the county will likely save much more than the modest $2.5 million the Transdev plan offered. Pollution would likely be reduced as well. The county may tout its fuel friendly busses, but any efficiency is offset by a wide margin when a full size bus is transporting a mere handful of riders. And what about the wasted fuel and productivity (not to mention traffic backups) accruing from a system that includes very few pull outs for bus stops on single lane roads like Honore Avenue, resulting in traffic backups behind buses stopped to pick-up or discharge riders?

Quote of the Day

“I hope every guy is as happily married as my wife says I am.” - Christopher Doumitt

Snoring Cure Lands Woman in Pokey 47-year-old Lorie Morin of Cocoa Beach had a surefire - if somewhat extreme - cure for her boyfriend’s snoring.

Unfortunately, it involved a shotgun, discharged by Morin in the general direction of her offending housemate. Luckily, her aim wasn’t true. Still, she ended up in the Brevard County jail facing attempted murder and aggravated battery charges. Her defense lawyer will probably claim she just needed a good night’s sleep

Could you Repeat that Answer?

It was the final question on a recent episode of The Family Feud with host Steve Harvey putting this toss up question in play for two family patriarchs representing that evening’s competing families: “On which day of the week do most people get fired?” Patriarch 1: “July 8th.” July 8th? Really? Even the quick-witted Harvey was at a loss, looking as stunned as he was a few years back after realizing he had announced the wrong winner of the Miss America Pageant. So did this guy get fired on that date? Or maybe he was the one doing the firing and it just so happened July 8 was his preferred day to complete the task. Or maybe he just didn’t understand the question... It boggles the mind. Anyway, in case you’re interested: “Survey says...Friday.” (Any Friday will do, not just one falling in early July.)

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

I hate it when this Happens... Life vests? Check! Fuel? Check! Sunscreen, Cooler, Beer? Check, check and check... Boat plug? “Arghhh! $@!#&%*$” That pretty much sums up the story of a local family launching their boat one recent weekend when their planned outing on the bay ended before it begot underwaygan, with the realization that someone forgot to install the boat plug used to drain water from inside the boat when it is OUT of the water. The result: the couple’s craft sank to the bottom of the 10th street boat basin faster than you can say, “Abandon Ship!” Talk about a sinking feeling.

Déjà Vu all over Again... “A senior UN environmental official says entire nations could be wiped off the face of the earth...if the global warming trend is not reversed by the year 2000,” - Peter James Spielman, June 29, 1989, as reported by the AP at the time So here we go again, with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke both predicting Armageddon just around the corner as the uber liberal wing of the Democratic Party increasingly comes to resemble an end-time cult. I just can’t believe a party platform with the slogan “The End is Near: Vote Democratic” will be anything more than an uninspiring bore.

• SEGWAY RENTALS • PADDLEBOARDS • SCOOTER CARS • GOLF CARTS • BIKES • SCOOTERS • BEACH GEAR Map B #34 5255 Ocean Blvd • Siesta Key Village www.robinhoodrentals.net

941-554-4242

MAILING - SHIPPING US Post Office................................. Map-D #65 MARKETS/FOOD STORES Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 Morton’s Siesta Market................ Map-C #25

Map D #64

MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage................ Map-B #35 Massage Therapy........................... Map-D #62 The Spa at Calle Minorga............... Map-E #74 MEDICAL - DENTAL Sarasota Medical Center................ Map-D #63 Siesta Dental..................................... Map-B #49 Siesta Key Physical Therapy......... Map-D #20 Siesta Village Dentistry................. Map-D #63 MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce................. Map-D #67 Positive RePercussion...................... Map-D #9 Roberti Enterprises........................ Map-A #39 Tarot Card Reading & Gifts........... Map-B #50 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Edward Jones Investments........... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................Map-E 74 REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Coldwell Banker Realty................. Map-D #20 Keller Williams Real Estate........... Map-D #11 Key Realty.........................................Map-E #5 Michael Saunders Realty..............Map-E #72 ReMax Alliance Group...................Map-C #29 Tropical Sands Accommadations.... Map-D #67 RentSiestaKey.com........................... Map-D #9 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate.... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental Prop.................. Map-D #10

48 47 46

RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg..............Map-C #54 & 55 Big Water Fish Market, N............ Map-D #15 Blasé Café....................................... Map-A #38 Bonjour French Cafe.......................Map-C #47 Café Gabbiano............................... Map-D #71 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Flavio’s Brick Oven & Bar.............. Map-B #29 Flavio’s Italiano Ristorante............ Map-B #30 Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill.......Map-B #33 Island House Bar & Grill............... Map-D #69 LeLu’s Coffee Bar...........................Map-B #31 Lobster Pot...................................... Map-C #23 Old Salty Dog Rest. & Pub............... Map-E #2 PI Pizza & Craft Beer..................... Map-A#37 Ripfire Pizza..................................... Map-B #47 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 Solorzano Bros. Pizzeria.............. Map-D #15 Subway Sandwiches....................... Map-B #30 Summer House................................Map-C #57 Sun Garden Café............................ Map-D #19 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub - Baja Grill........................Map-C #59 The Star Thai Sushi............... Map-D #17 & 18 Village Café.................................... Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY LaPlaya Spa......................................Map-C #50 Sassy Hair Salon............................ Map-A #40 Siesta Key Nails & Spa.................. Map-D #9 Shaman Sanctuary Salon................. Map-D #9 SPORTS INTEREST/RENTALS CaliFlorida........................................Map-C #29 Robin Hood Rentals......................Map-B #34

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

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

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

941.349.0194

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Capt. Curt’s Souvenirs.............................B-3 #8 Green Turtle Shells & Gifts................. C-3 #14 Sunshine Sand Hidden Treasures........ D-3 #17 Silver City Jewelry.................................. C-3 #14 HEALTH & BEAUTY Sanctuary Siesta Key............................... A-5 #12 Siesta Key Salon & Spa........................... D-3 #17 The Key Spa & Salon.............................. A-5 #12 ICE CREAM & TREATS Orange Octopus .......................................B-3 #8 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 LIQUOR STORES Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 Crescent Club............................................B-3 #13 Siesta Spirits............................................. C-3 #17

MAILING & SHIPPING Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 US Post Office Sub Station..................... C-3 #14 MARKETS 7-11 Store.................................................. C-3 #16 Big Water Fish Market.......................... C-3 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 MISCELLANEOUS Moving & Storage....................................B-3 #10 Flowers by Fudgie................................... D-3 #17 REAL ESTATE / RENTALS Beckmann Properties.............................. C-2 #15 Homes & Condo Rentals........................ D-3 #17 Re/Max Tropical Sands............................B-3 #1 Siesta 4-Rent............................................ C-3 #14 Waterside Realty..................................... C-3 #17 RESTAURANTS / CAFES A Taste of Germany................................ C-3#14

www.siestasand.net

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

Big Water Fish Market................................C-3 #17

“Home of the Orange Squeeze!”

OPEN 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM DAILY

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Sundaes l Shakes l Smoothies l Coffees Espresso l Cappuccinos

1220 Old Stickney Point Rd., Siesta Key In the Captain Curt’s Plaza Map B-3#8

941-346-0202

Expires 12/31/19

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welcome!

Y CAKES

6551 Midnight Pass Road Southbridge Mall Siesta Key, FL 34242

Willkommen

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

Rum Cakes Breakfast Lunch German Beers and Brats

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

Map C-3 #14

Map B-3#8

A Taste of Germany 6575 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-5 #12

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-3 #4

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

Crescent Beach Grocery 1211 Old Stickney Pt. Rd.

MAP B-3 #1

Siesta 4-Rent 6555 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Toasted Mango Cafe 6621 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-4 #17

MAP C-3 #17

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

APRIL 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

New at Captain Curt’s Village

Captain Curt’s has opened a brand new Coffee and Craft Beer Garden in Captain Curt’s Village attached to the Tiki Trading Co. As before, the Tiki Trading Co. offers island apparel, souvenirs, and all things Captain Curt’s. Focusing on local products, the Coffee and Craft Beer Garden proudly serves Kahwa Coffee (St. Petersburg, FL), baked goods, and craft beer. The Coffee and Craft Beer Garden features a one-of-a-kind natural Florida outdoor seating area under a new Tiki Hut overlooking Sabal Lake, a rare view of real Siesta Key wildlife and natural vegetation. After you’re done shopping at the Tiki Trading Co, enjoy a great hand crafted coffee, espresso, latte or a selection of 10 craft beers on tap, wine, and of course domestic cans and bottles. Laid back and family friendly, the Coffee and Beer Garden is a must see at Captain Curt’s Village. Located in the corner of the Captain Curt’s Village at 1200 Old Stickney Point Rd on Siesta Key.

Spring Break

Continued from cover story

The book was already a national sensation when MGM persuaded Swarthout to change its title and subsequently released the blockbuster movie “Where the Boys Are.” It, and its theme song by actress/singer Connie Francis, were released on 28 December 1960 to attract the Christmas crowds. Undoubtedly, the song, which was translated into six other languages, helped the movie become the highest grossing lowbudget movie in MGM’s history. And, the long-term economic boost for Florida is incalculable.

Annual Invasions of Fort Lauderdale In spring of 1961, college students on spring break increased to over 50,000 vacationers. By the early 1980s, Ft. Lauderdale was attracting 250,000-350,000 students annually during spring break weeks. The disruption for residents and snowbirds invested in the Fort Lauderdale area became intolerable. The trash left behind and damage by these young intruders spurred the local government to pass laws restricting parties in 1985. The same year, enforcement of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act requiring Florida to raise the minimum drinking age to 21 had an impact as Fort Lauderdale increased police surveillance and discouraged spring break visitations. By 1989, the number of students visiting Fort Lauderdale dropped to 20,000, but other beaches, especially Gulf beaches like Panama City, were targeted by the students for annual spring break partying. Since the weather of Panama City Beach is much cooler than south Florida, communities along the Southwest Gulf Coast always draw large spring break crowds. But resort communities such as Siesta Key need to learn from the experiences of Fort Lauderdale and Panama City Beach, where shootings and gang rapes have occurred.

Health and Personal Risks of Spring Break Trips: STDs and Drinking As a result of Fort Lauderdale and Panama City Beach experiences, the very words “spring break” now imply raucous and criminal activities on a sandy beach. Thus, social scientists and epidemiologists, especially infectious disease experts, have developed research interests in this intense, annual phenomenon, as they focus their studies on drinking, sex, and their aftermath. The situation is perplexing for colleges because they see the fallout about one week after the

break is over. Many students return with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and viral disorders such as mononucleosis, respiratory syncytial virus infections, or influenza. Although STDs are of increasing concern and include a wide variety of serious infections, few schools prepare their students for the risky exposures during spring breaks. Often, it’s the student’s first trip without parents, and this means greater freedom with peers and with dating partners. Medical/sociological research has shown that the combination of excessive alcohol and casual sex in the setting of college friends traveling together is especially risky— no surprise there!

Becoming a Spring Break Haven After Siesta Key was awarded “America’s Best Beach” designation in 2011 and the transformation from residential to visitor dominance occurred, Siesta/Crescent Beach became one of the destinations replacing Fort Lauderdale as a Spring Break Haven. Of course! The weather is warm and can even be hot, while the Gulf water is warm. The 3-mile beach is spectacular and relatively compact in contrast to the 27 miles at Panama City Beach where finding the right companion can be challenging. Siesta Beach’s volleyball courts and the Drum Circle attract many of the students. Police surveillance is effective but not intrusive thus far as law enforcement officers emphasize safety and security. The beach serves all interests well. Most college students soak up the sun and avoid getting burned thanks to the many high sun protection factor (SPF) lotions available. During the past decade, the spring break period on Siesta Key has become more than two months long. It started in full swing this year on the 2nd of March. Among the many attractions, swimwear ranks high, and thongs appear to be in style for 2019. Consequently, the hard partying has begun and will be prolonged beyond what was ever envisioned in the “Where the Boys Are” era. As Robin Williams pointed out: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, LET’S PARTY!” You can read more about this topic and others in “An Illustrated History of Siesta Key: The Story of America’s Best Beach,” by Dr. Philip M. Fareel, MD, PhD, which is sold at Davidson Drugs stores, Captain Curt’s gift shop, and Crescent Beach Grocery.

Finding where the boys and girls are on Siesta Beach before the Drum Circle assembles

Police surveillance intensified on March 2nd as the Sherriff’s Office implemented their spring break operations featuring mounted patrols

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

Siesta Sounds

941.349.0194

By Charmaine Engelsman-Robins

Taylor Taylor continues drawing new fans into faithful following

gigs where you perform several nights in a row because in addition to their excellent harmonies, they can take turns singing lead and “spell” each other for a few minutes. Appreciative of the good gigs they’ve earned through the years, Taylor Taylor forms strong friendships not only with fans but with the owners and staff members of the clubs and other venues they play. They were recently honored to perform for the retirement party a cook at the Casey Key Fish House, and couldn’t say enough good things about the experience and the restaurant. “They’re a very community-oriented business,” Glenda points out. “They have a cool, laid back vibe, and the staff is very supportive.” Glenda goes on with enthusiasm about this venue, obviously a favorite, where they’ve played frequently over the past year and will be performing again on Saturday, April 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. A unique, “Old Florida” style place, they’re welcoming to the whole family and have a menu that’s sure to please anyone. Despite the name, they offer a wide variety of items in addition to seafood. Along with the great food and friendly service, you’ll find a variety of forms of entertainment. You can just sit and enjoy the waterfront view (Note: EXCELLENT sunsets) from the dining room over the Bay… where every seat has a waterfront view … or from the Tiki Hut. You can even be a part of the scene by renting a kayak, paddle board, boat or jet-ski. Or BYOB ...in this case that stands for “Bring Your Own Boat,” and just put in at Dockage Marker 32. Of course there’s the music every night of the weekend out at the Tiki Bar with its own sandy “beach,” and bird watching aplenty. You can find more information on Casey Key Fish House at www.caseykeyfishhouse.com and for more on Taylor Taylor go to www.taylor-n-taylor. com

Despite the current movie trend, female superheroes are not a new thing. Southwest Florida has been enjoying super-duo Taylor Taylor for decades and is unlikely to ever stop. Glenda Taylor and Dee Wilson have played thousands of gigs on their own as well as backing and opening many a show for bigs like Merle Haggard, Atlanta, Charlie McCoy and Jeannie Pruitt. They’ve also got three Canadian tours … from Ontario to Victoria … under their belts, plus one in Singapore (under their expanded band name of Dixie Rose). Not all duos are created equal; some consist of two people playing two instruments at most. Taylor Taylor has such an expanded version of what is normally thought of as a duo that we almost need another name for them. They have expertise on several instruments beyond the basic guitar; bass, sax, harmonica, keyboards, fiddle and banjo. Not only does this open up a lot more opportunities for gigs, but it allows them to play pretty much whatever the crowd or venue calls for and they love it all. “Oh, we do country, rock, laid-back listening, top 40 (both old and current), and we love it all,” says Glenda. “From Heart to Little Big Town to ZZ Top, we can do it and the audience loves it.” And they need a wide repertoire because they entertain a huge local following and have for years. What’s funny is that everything they do they do so well, that if fans were to exchange notes as to what kind of music they do, they might think they’re not talking about the same people. (“Is there more than one Taylor Taylor in town?”) Their enthusiasm for everything they sing and play is what makes it so enjoyable for the audience. They’re just a happy, upbeat couple of beautiful women who really enjoy singing, playing and entertaining in whatever style the audience may call for, and that comes through. “We’re both from Palatka [FL], on the St. Johns River,” says Glenda. “We’ve worked together for 40 years, starting out … believe it or not … on a Budweiser tour of 114 states and 44 colleges!” They also played together through the phase where bands routinely worked five or six nights a week in the lounges of the various hotel chains throughout the nation. Luckily they not only play a variety of instruments but both have beautiful voices. This comes in handy on long

CLUB BLASE CAFÉ In the Village 941-349-9822

MONDAY Amandah Jantzen 6‐10 PM

TUESDAY Evan Eastmoore (2,9,16) Kid Memphis Trio w/ Johnny Holiday (23 & 30) 6‐10 PM

WEDNESDAY Savanah Brady (3 & 10 ) th Sandi Grecco (17 ) th LIVE MUSIC (24 ) 6‐10 PM

THURSDAY Rob Viola (4, 11 & 18) th Nexx Level (25 ) 6‐10 PM

DAIQUIRI DECK RAW BAR In the Village 941‐349‐8697 GILLIGANS In the Village 941-346-8122 Lelu’s Coffee Lounge In the Village 941-346-5358

Rodney Shenk: 6‐10 PM

RPM LIVE: 6‐10 PM

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

RPM LIVE ‐ 6‐10 PM DJ Nate – 10 PM

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

1‐5 PM: st Vince Berardi (1 ) th Rob Viola (8 ) th Capt. Kurt (15 ) nd Charile Morris (22 ) th Frankie Lombardi (29 ) Al Donadi 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: J. Gilton (2,16,30) th David Morris (9 ) rd Sandi Grecco (23 ) Open mic night 7‐11 PM

THE BEACH CLUB In the Village 941-349-6311

Karaoke Mondays 9 PM – Midnight

THE COTTAGE In the Village 941-312-9300

Live Music 6-9 PM

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

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

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

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

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

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

Mike T or Kevin Thompson 5‐9 PM

Casey Key Fish House is located in Osprey, Florida at 801 Blackburn Point Road, 34299, next to the historic Blackburn Point Swing Bridge. If arriving by boat, look for Dockage Marker 32.

FRIDAY Callie & The Whole Band 6‐10 PM

1‐5 PM: Dana & Co. FolkLab 7‐11 PM

1 PM LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC DJ KConn – 10 PM

SATURDAY Lady B & the Buzz (6 & 20 ) Kat Crosby Band (13 & 27) 6‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ K Conn (10 PM) 1 PM LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC DJ KConn – 10 PM

Eddie James Jazz Band 7‐10 PM

2‐6 PM: Whiteleather 8‐Midnight th Big Daddy (5 ) th Charilie Morris (12 ) th Deven Starr Band (19 ) th Bri Rivera Band (26 )

11 AM – 2 PM Evan Eastmoore (6 &20) th Nick Williams (13 ) th John Beacher (27 ) 3‐7 PM: Bri Rivera (6 & 20) Evan Eastmore (13, & 27) Mike Tozier 8‐Midnight

SUNDAY 2 PM: Kid Memphis Trio w/Johnny Holiday (7th Only) 6‐10 PM: Alex Ross Mojo Revival (7 & 21) Lisa Ridings Band(14 & 28) BREE (3‐7 PM) 1 PM LIVE MUSIC 6 PM LIVE MUSIC DJ Tuesday – 10 PM 10 AM ‐ 1 PM Mike Tozier (7 & 21) Vince Colaiocco (14 & 28) 2‐6 PM: Messenger Duo (7th) th

Nick Levalley (14 ) st Danny Fox Duo(21 ) th Chicago Carey (28 ) 7 ‐11 PM: The Whole Band (7 & 21) Hatley Band (14 & 28)

DJ Coz or DJ Kensi 9 PM – 2 AM

DJ Coz & DJ Xtreme 10 PM

8‐11 PM: th New Divide (5 ) th Tropical Ave (12 ) th Actual Bank Robbers (19 ) th TL Birthday Bash (26 ) Live DJ: 11 PM‐2 AM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

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

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

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

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

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

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

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

Taylor Taylor

LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ TJ (10 PM)

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

www.siestasand.net

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

8 – 11 PM th Mixed Signal (6 ) th Sweet Spot (13 ) th No Filter (20 ) th Stereo FM (27 ) DJ Kensi: 11 PM – 2 AM

7‐11 PM th Billy Lyon Band (7 ) th Nick Levalley (14 ) st Noel Rochford Band (21 ) th Ari & the Alibis (28 )

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

Dami Caines or John Patti 5‐8:30 PM

RPM 5‐9 PM

Bri Rivera 5‐9 PM

Vince Barardi 5‐9 PM

Jokers Duo or Frankie Lombardi 5‐9 PM

Desi Adams 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

LIVE MUSIC 4‐8 PM

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

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

APRIL 2019

Island Humor

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Snapshots from the Village

A fifteen-year-old Amish boy and his father were in a mall. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slide back together again.

and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched the small numbers above the walls light up sequentially.

The boy asked, ‘What is this Father?’ The father (never having seen an elevator) responded, ‘Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don’t know what it is.’ While the boy and his father were watching with amazement, a little gray haired lady in a wheel chair moved up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened,

Sundays at Gilligan’s Island Bar

stepped out. The father, not taking his eyes off the young woman, said quietly to his son..... ‘Go get your Mother.’

They continued to watch until it reached the last number... and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up again and a gorgeous 24-year-old blond

HOTTEST BAR IN GULF GATE... MLB/College Packages FULL BAR

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

Every year the Schell Family takes a family photo representing SKOB

The biggest loser at my weightloss club was an elderly woman. “How’d you do it?” we asked. “Easy,” she said. “Every night I take my teeth out at six o’clock.” Back when I was about 2 ½ years old, my grandma asked my grandpa to watch me while she ran to the store. He saw that I was busy playing with my new toy tea set so he went in the living room to watch the news. After a while, I brought him some tea, which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, grandma came home. Grandpa made her sit in the living room to watch me bring him several more cups of tea, because he thought it was just the ‘cutest thing’. After several minutes of watching grandpa make a big show of drinking down every drop, grandma said to grandpa, “Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?”

Join us at the Siesta Key Village Daiquiri Deck every Wednesday night at 10PM for #HUMPDAYDECKPICS!

The line forms every night to get in at the oldest bar on Siesta Key, The Beach Cub

Karaoke Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

941.349.0194

John Garner Broker Associate

Diane Shane Broker Associate

941-924-2330

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

We are with you every step of the way! 2621 Mall Dr., Sarasota M-5 RobertsRealty@comcast.net www.SarasotaCoast.com

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941.312.5630 WILDGINGERAPOTHECARY.COM

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE With our map, located below, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease. The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach to grooming with a precise attention to personal detail. Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. – Fri. 8:30am – 6pm, Sat., 8:30am – 3pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Sarasota Brewing Co. (G-4) Sarasota’s first micro brew pub always has something new to offer. From over 20 seasonal beers that rotate throughout the year, the Brewing Company always has at least five unique brews online as well as several favorites from around the world. Established in 1989, their menu has been a winner in the Reader’s Choice Awards of the Sarasota Herald Tribune featuring their mouth-watering burgers, Chicago style Pizzas, and Chicago beef sandwiches. With dozens of televisions, it’s a great place to catch a game with friends and family. Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G-11): has been an institution in the community for years, owned by Kyle Flannery. The super-clean barbershop’s clientele is comprised of primarily men, but the shop services children as well. Scott Reich, formerly of the Siesta Key Village Barber Shop has relocated to this location.

At the original Word of Mouth Restaurant (G-31), every seemingly insignificant detail receives special attention from the warm, inviting decor to each specially crafted variety of freshly baked muffins to the signature menu items. This small diner is where the locals come to eat breakfast and lunch. Take a look at their menu at originalwordofmouth.com. Hours: Mon-Sun.: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Piccolos Italian Market & Deli (G-47) carries a full line of imported cheeses, fresh baked bread daily, homemade sausages, fresh mozzarella, and numerous hard to get items. They now carry Khorasan Wheat which is an ancient and organic grain. Their Deli is complete with huge hot and cold sandwiches, salads, fresh homemade lasagna and baked ziti. West End Pub (G-49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bring your own restaurant or deli food? Right here. 6500 Gateway Ave. – 941554-8905. Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food - Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works...dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot. All served in true Authentic Chicago Style. Continued on the next page

GULF GATE

Ba Am nk o eri f ca

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

G-4

G12 G11 G10 G9 G8 G7 G6 G5 G4 G3

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

S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S1

Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

PICCOLO

SRQ

Italian Market & Deli

THE SHOP SRQ 6625 Gateway Ave.

G-2

Traditional, Old School Barber Shop

“We Straight Razor Shave”

Hot or Cold

15 Years + Experience

www.TheShopSrq.com

& Vegetarian Sandwiches

Authentic New York Italian Market & Deli S-16

G14 G13

G24

G16 G15

S30

Lo Ho ng rn

Marshall’s

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

G23 G22 G21 G20 G19 G18 G17

Superior Avenue

Books-AMillion

Beall’s Outlet

Mall Mall Drive Drive

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

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

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

Michaels

Gateway Avenue

941-925-2400

Hooters

Sun Trust

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

Publix

Sarasota Pavilion is a popular shopping destination for numerous locals and visitors alike. Its prime location is close enough to the island for frequent trips with a nice selection of chain stores set in one convenient location. But what truly lends to the uniqueness of this district is the host of small, locally owned, specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, and neighborhood bars bordering this pavilion. It makes for a fun and rewarding shopping experience. Over 150 businesses make up this district.

Eat Where The Locals Eat!

Stein Mart

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

M5 M4 M3 M2 M1

G-31

www.siestasand.net

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

941.349.0194

APRIL 2019

Casey Key Road property “We discussed this previously, regarding the problems on Casey Key,” Commissioner Nancy Detert said, “so I’m comfortable going forward.” Commissioner Alan Maio made the motion to approve the petition for the variance, and Detert seconded it. In this case, the owner of the property at 2030 Casey Key Road in Nokomis — Denise L. Cronin — sought the variance to install a total of 11 underpinnings to try to prevent the collapse of a structure with a cabana, a staff memo explained. On June 12, 2018, the owners of the neighboring property to the north — 2100 Casey Key Road — also obtained a Class II Emergency Variance “to install underpinnings to support their undermined cabana structure,” a county staff memo noted. The cabana at 2030 Casey Key Road dates to the 1970s, the March 12 staff memo said. It is entirely seaward of the road and the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL), the memo added. At the time it was constructed, the memo explained, the county’s Coastal Setback Code had not been implemented. The GBSL is what county environmental staff calls the figurative “line in the sand” to preserve coastal vegetation and dunes, which serve as a barrier to protect structures landward of them in the event of storms. The County Commission in recent years has been reluctant to approve any new residential structures seaward of the GBSL, except in uncommon circumstances. However, it has approved work on accessory structures west of the line, such as pools and cabanas. In the case of 2030 Casey Key Road, the staff memo pointed out, the variance “will protect the Petitioner’s property value and allow the continued enjoyment of their cabana and deck amenities for an unknown period. However, maintaining such structures on a critically eroded beach will eventually lead to adverse impacts to sea turtle nesting habitat and limit the general public’s lateral pedestrian access along the beach.” The memo also noted that the resolution the County Commission approved on March 12 included a stipulation requiring the property owner “to remove failed structures from the beach should a storm event cause significant damage.” Dune restoration has been undertaken on the shoreline twice in recent years in the vicinity of the property, the memo said. Cronin has owned the property since July 2016, Sarasota County Property Appraiser Office records show. She purchased it for $6 million, the records note.

A history of undermining events “In March 2018,” the March 12 county staff memo said, “a strong cold front caused more than 10 feet of dune erosion in the 2000 block of Casey Key.” At 2030 Casey Key Road, the memo continued, “waves exposed the concrete block retaining wall and washed out sand from underneath the deck of the existing cabana structure.” On March 26, 2018, county staff issued a Written Conditioned Exception to allow the owner to add 100 cubic yards of sand as fill, as a temporary measure

Continued from the cover story

to protect the shoreline from further erosion, the memo pointed out. Then, on Oct. 11, 2018, Hurricane Michael wreaked more damage on the concrete block retaining wall that is part of the cabana structure, the memo added. A cold front in December 2018 undermined the structure even more, the memo said. As a result, on Feb. 4, county staff acted upon its authority to issue Cronin a Coastal Setback Class I Emergency Variance for the installation of sandbags along the shoreline, in an effort to protect the structure. On Sept. 21, 2018, the staff memo said, Cronin applied for a Class II Emergency Variance “to install underpinnings to reinforce the concrete block retaining wall associated with the deck and cabana structure.” Then, on Feb. 13, she submitted revised plans, seeking to pursue the project with almost three times as many underpinnings, the memo continued. The underpinnings consist of steel piles with a diameter of 3 inches, the memo explained. Their working load capacity, the memo noted, is 10 “kips.” The memo pointed out that a kip is a unit equal to 1,000 pounds of force. “The underpinnings will be installed at a minimum depth of 15 feet below the existing grade,” the memo added. The block retaining wall is a maximum of 43.7 feet seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL), the memo said. The proposed underpinnings will extend up to 1.5 feet further seaward of the existing foundation, to accommodate the pins and brackets, the memo pointed out. Therefore, the maximum distance seaward of the GBSL will be 45.2 feet. Additionally, the memo said, the underpinnings will be about 51 feet landward of the Mean High Water Line (MHWL). As a result of the proximity to the MHWL, the memo continued, and “the recent erosion trends along this shoreline,” further undermining of the cabana structure is likely. When county staff undertook a site inspection in January, the memo explained, staff “observed that the eroded bluff line north of the deck and cabana was approximately 4 ft. landward of the damaged concrete block retaining wall. Wave washup was observed reaching the seaward extent of a dune walkover on the property, which was built with staff approval in 2009.”

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

Continued from the previous page

Wild Ginger Apothecary (S-19) has been successfully providing sustainable, ethically produced, and nontoxic products for beauty, home and nutrition to the health conscious consumers of Sarasota since October of 2014. Their latest offerings is a CBD Boutique area featuring hundreds of hemp and CBD products. Wild Ginger Apothecary also offers classes and workshops for a variety of audiences on topics that cover lifestyle, creativity, health, and more in the Studio + Lounge. Z6557 Superior Ave. 941-3125630, www.woldgingerapothecary.com Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-32): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their recipes and techniques have been perfected through three long generations based on the traditional simplicity of the methods used by their Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m.6670 Superior Ave., 941-9245800. Pride of the South (S-34) Pride of the South has been awarded Top Barbeque in Sarasota for 2016 by Trip Advisor and Yelp. It has been awarded for the best Southern Hospitality. Pride of the South has a brisket BLT, hands down, one of the best sandwiches you ever tasted. The smoked chicken wings are unbelievable. Backed up with the pulled pork sandwiches, the smoked bologna, the smoked Turkey, the collard greens, fried corn on the cob,

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

fried okra, fried green tomatoes and one of the best mac n cheese you ever tasted. We do catering with no limit to size. Call (941)926-0099. See you soon. Gulf Gate Food + Beer (S-51): Sarasota’s late-night hot spot for the service industry, night owls, and midnight snackers. It’s not your typical sports bar offering unique menu selections for carnivores and vegetarians. Be sure to check out their menu online at: eatfooddrinkbeer.com. Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. - Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.). One Minute Key Shop (GG-51): Left your keys in the car? No worries, the One Minute Key Shop will help you safely unlock and retrieve your keys. They specialize in high security locks, keys, re-keying, master keying and safes for residential, commercial or automotive. Call for more info: 941924-8020 or visit their showroom. ROBERTS REALTY, Inc. (M-5) John Garner, Broker Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker Assoc. have a combined 40 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. FOR BUYERS, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs and matching that as close as possible. FOR SELLERS, over the years we have successfully listed and sold many, many properties throughout Sarasota County. OUR PHILOSOPHY is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals. We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941-924-2330 or drop by our office.

Island Churches: • Siesta Key Chapel, Presbyterian (USA) 4615 Gleason Ave, Siesta Key, 941-349-1166 www.siestakeychapel.org • St. Michael’s Catholic Church 5394 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, 941-349-4174 www.stmichaelssiesta.com • St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key, 941-349-5616 www.bonifacechurch.org Off- Island: •Temple Sinai, a Reform Congregation (The closest Jewish congregation to the Key for visitors) 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, 941-924-1802 www.templesinai-sarasota.org • St. Andrew United Church of Christ (Protestant) (In the Gulf Gate area, near Beneva and Gulf Gate Drive) 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota, 941.922.7595 www.uccstandrew.org • The Superior Word - Rev. Charlie Garrett Service starts Sunday mornings at 10am. Bring a friend and share in God’s word. 6512 Superior Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34231 • First Christian Church 7601 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241. 941-922-4434 www.fccsarasota.com

simple cremations

790

simple burials

1,195

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

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

941.349.0194

Arts on the Horizon

By Rodger Skidmore

Who? Exactly! Ever since the Marjorie Stoneham Douglas High School shooting we’ve been reading about the security guard who did not go in to help. We see his name, how old he is, where he worked before and what he did - or did not - do. But what about the first responders who did go in? Or the first responders who went into the flaming motel to save the tourists from Michigan? Or the first responders who took the rifle away from the man who....? Or the first responders when they........? Most people don’t remember their names, do they? And we don’t know their names either. One of the reasons that we don’t is that their names were not in the newspaper, or on TV, or the news feed on our cell phones. And the reason their names were not flashed in front of us after they risked their lives saving others is that there are so many of them - and they do it all the time. Yes, there is a whole world out there comprised of First Responders who are willing to lay down their lives to protect us. And there is an even more important group those First Responders who really did lay down their lives - and who will never be able to rise again. Last September the United States Postal Service issued a Forever stamp honoring all First Responders. The ceremony was held at The Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center in Montana. And, on the first of this month, the dedication is being held for a memorial to fallen Firefighters, in Tallahassee, in front of our State Capitol. There has been a Firefighter Memorial Monument there, of a more modest nature, but a new one is rising, based upon a painting by the artist Jim Davis. The Sculptor Michael Jernigan, who was involved in the original memorial, has created this more significant monument. It will use the old memorial as its base and will portray a Firefighter, a member of the Florida Forest Service and a Paramedic, and be surrounded by plaques portraying these first responders in action. The sad, and very touching part, is the living firefighter holding the helmet of a fallen comrade. The number on the front of that helmet is not the fire brigade unit number, but the number of firefighters that have died in the line of duty. Currently at 197, higher numbers have already been cast at the BronzArt foundry here in Sarasota, where all the work has been done, as the number is continually rising. See more photos at SiestaSand.net/Arts-on-the-horizon-04-19/

www.siestasand.net

Beach or Schoenberg. Think Mozart’s Flute Quartet is for the birds? Well, you’d be right. Four songs about birds (Händel’s Sweet Bird; Delibes’ Le Rossignol; David’s Charmant Oiseau; and Benedict’s The Gypsy and the Bird) are sung by Catherine Wethington, accompanied by flute (you know, bird like sounds) and piano, on one of the Mozart Quartet programs. For you fans of Dvořák, there is a string sextet on April 8th, along with pieces by Martinů and Beethoven. Or mingle with some Festival musicians (wine and light snacks) in an empty Dolphin Aviation airplane hangar and hear them play a mini-concert. Information at lamusicafestival.org.

20 minutes vs. 2 hours and 50 minutes - What’s the difference? A world of difference, or no difference? None, if you simply focus on the fact that, either way, you are listening to Nikolai Kapustin’s Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 86 at Sarasota’s La Musica International Chamber Music Festival. The big difference comes from understanding how three really well trained world class musicians, Demarre McGill, flute; Dmitri Atapine, cello; and Derek Han, piano, who have never played this piece as a unit, can join as one force, with just two and a half hours of practice, and pull off a stunning performance at the Opera House on April 14th. Well, maybe the day before they play they have a glass of wine together and discuss the finer points of vibrato, timbre, and resonance. But the point is that, while you may not be listening to their discussion over wine, you can, over two days, sit and listen to them go over this lovely music as it coalesces into its final 20 minute form. On the same program there is a sonata by Debussy and a Quartet by Schumann. There are 26 open rehearsals for the works being performed during the festival. A day pass lets you listen to 3 or 4 of these sessions at New College’s Sainer Pavilion (a lovely venue) - that’s four to five hours of music per day. If you play (or just love) the flute, cello or piano, or just want to watch and listen to how these artists can, from a high starting point, put a great performance together, you can do so. Or take Mozart. Yes, why not take Mozart? How about listening to his Flute Quartet in D Major for two hours (one hour on each of two different days) as it is constructed, de-constructed and re-constructed until it reaches its final form on April 11th. Want something without the flute? How about Mozart’s piano quartet in E-Flat Major. With this one you can get over two hours’ worth of rehearsals before listening to the final take on April 17th. And, with each of his quartets, you get hours of other works by Brahms,

Predictions sometimes work You know how that poem starts: Monday’s child is fair of face. And a bit further it continues, Wednesday’s child is full of woe. That poem was first written down in Devonshire, England in 1838 and was used to teach children the days of the week, not to predict anyone’s fate, but..... The world premiere of Wednesday’s Child opens at the Florida Studio Theatre on April 3rd (yes, a Wednesday), and runs through May 24th. This play is a murder mystery and, as with all murder mysteries, secrets surface, alibis weaken, and lies are uncovered. But, of course, we don’t know the who, what, why, when, where, which or whence of any of this - or on which side of right and wrong the various protagonists end up. Three years ago FST produced Mark St. Germain’s play Relativity to great success. The main premise was about how Albert Einstein would react if, while living in Princeton, he met the daughter that he thought had died as a child. Since this new play, Wednesday’s Child, is written by that very same Mark St. Germain, we know that we should be in for a very thoughtful and soul searching evening. Or matinee, if you don’t want to come home from this mystery in the dark of the night. But you needn’t worry, you won’t remain in the dark as everything will be resolved. Right? Kate Alexander directs. The play will be at the Gompertz so it is possible to have a lovely dinner before-hand. Tickets and more information at www.floridastudiotheatre.org. Musical Note: The group, Musical Friends of Sarasota, will be holding their second annual recital at Selby Library - 1:30 PM on April 30th (free). Solo, duo, trio and quartet chamber music.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, please be sure to always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information. WEEKLY BEACH CLASSES: • FREE T’AI CHI CHIH - Siesta Beach, Access #5 - Every Monday, 15 minutes before sunset. Open to all, no experience necessary. Contact Diana Daffner 941346-1024 for information. (Access #5 is in Siesta Village, where Beach Rd. meets Ocean Blvd.) • FREE YOGA - Mon.-Wed.-Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. Classes held between blue and green lifeguard station. Call 941-320-6693 to register or go to website for more info. www.yogaonsiestabeach.com/about • GROUP FITNESS CLASSES – Join F.I.T. Tribe SRQ every Mon, Wed, & Sat. at 9 a.m. at the main pavilion. For more details, please see facebook page: www. facebook.com/FitTribeSRQ • NIA - Tues. & Thurs., 9 a.m., Siesta Public Beach (yellow lifeguard chair). Contact Kathy Oravec at 941-724-9719 for more info or check website: www.nianow.com/kathy-oravec • SIESTA KEY BEACH HOOP JAMS – Every Tuesday one hour before Sunset on Siesta Key beach we gather for a community Hoop Jam. (Between the red lifeguard stand and the pavilion; around where the Sunday drum circle happens.) Register at: www.outwardspiral.net • YOGA ON TURTLE BEACH – Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 am. Residents and

visitors on the south end of Siesta Key can enjoy All-Levels Yoga through April 9, 2019. For more information about location or registration, please e-mail Julie at: julie@chesapeakeyoga.com WEEKLY DRUM CIRCLE: • Every Sunday about an hour before sunset. South of the main pavilion. You can participate or watch this weekly gathering and dance, hoop, play the drum or other musical instrument, and enjoy the spectacular Siesta sunset. On The Beach… • APRIL 6 (SAT) 6-11AM/ RUN FOR THE TURTLES: 33rd Annual supports the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory and is the program’s major fundraiser On Race Day: Registration begins 6:30 a.m. at the Siesta Key Gazebo, south of the pavilion. The 1-Mile Fun Run or Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Manasota Track Club-Sanctioned Run begins at 8 a.m. Please note: The 1-mile fun run and 5K races are entirely on the beach/sand. To help support our eco-friendly mission at Mote, please bring your own reusable water bottle to the race! Contact Samantha Byrd at 941-388-4441, ex. 426 or sbyrd@mote.org • APRIL 13 (SAT) 8-11AM / GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN UP: Join your friends, classmates, and neighbors around Sarasota to help keep Sarasota County

beautiful. Register at scgov.net Or call 941-861-5000. • APRIL 20 (SAT) 7AM-NOON / COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT: Come celebrate Easter with a Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Turtle beach. The event is open to children age 1-6 ($10 per child). Located at Turtle Beach in the playground/parking lot area. Checkin begins at 9:00 a.m. There will be goody bags, fire truck & ambulance tours, the mounted patrol, Kona Ice, and photos with the Easter Bunny! Free parking is available on site. The free Siesta Breeze Trolley service will begin at 8:30 on that morning and will be making rounds approximately every thirty minutes from SK Village to Turtle Beach. Approximate time slots for the Egg Hunt are designated by age groups: 10:00 a.m. (2 years of age and younger); 10:30 a.m. (3-4 years of age); and 11:00 a.m. (5-6 years of age). • APRIL 21 (SAT & SUN) 6:30AM / PINE SHORES EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE: Pine Shores Presbyterian Church will host its’ annual sunrise service on the beach beginning at sunrise (6:30 a.m.) on the beautiful sand of Siesta Key Beach. *Please remember to bring blankets, chairs, or something to sit on*

• APRIL 27 (SAT) 7:30 -11AM / PORCH LIGHT 5K RACE: Siesta Beach will host the 5TH Annual Porch Light 5K race. This participant-friendly run features a 1-mile fun run as well as a traditional 5K. All proceeds from this event support the Porch Light Ministry’s Florida safe house - a program that serves to rescue and restore child victims of victims of the sex trafficking trade. To register or for more information, please click the link below: www.racersignup.com/porch-light-5k/ Around the island… • WEEKLY FARMER’S MARKET IN THE VILLAGE: Every Sunday from 8am – 1pm in Davidson’s Plaza in the Village. 5124 Ocean Blvd. Produce, Plants & Flowers, Music, Art, Organic Skincare, Italian Olive Oil, and Freshly Prepared Foods. Listen to live music while you shop. • KIDS RHYTHM JAM!™ – 11:30AM: Drumming Fun For Everyone!™ . Every Saturday and Tuesday. Everyone gets permission to play and make noise to create rhythm and song! Come & enjoy group drumming with your family and friends. $15/family - Positive RePercussions 5049 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village - (941) 677-3786. Please check out our wide variety of other programs at: www. positiverepercussions.com/calendar Continued on the next page

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

APRIL 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Continued from the previous page

• EXPRESS LUNCH & STUDY: Every Wednesday, Noon, at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Avenue (at Ocean Blvd) Stimulating Bible study in a way that allows you to learn in a relaxed environment. Take a break during your day, bring your lunch and Bible to a class that studies a book of the Bible a little bite at a time. Free and open to the community. (941) 349-1166, siestakeychapel.org

for beginning and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basics but also work with intermediate casters on correcting faults and improving casting skills. Cost for the schools, which will run from 8:30 AM to 2 PM, is $195 per person and includes the use of Orvis fly tackle and lunch. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 3494400 or info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.

• APRIL 7 (SUN) STARTS AT NOON / SIESTA KEY CRUISE-IN SUNDAY: Bring your classic car or bike out for another great car cruise. Food and drinks specials. Live music starting at 2 p.m. featuring RJ Housen and Friends. Event takes place at 3.14 Pi and Blasé Café.

• APRIL 27 -28 (SAT-SUN) – 10AM – 5PM /SIESTA FIESTA: Free event. Enjoy the fine art and handmade crafts from 200 of the nation’s most talented artists and crafters taking place on Ocean Blvd. in the Village. This event has an extensive collection of work ranging from life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewels, photography, ceramics and more. This show truly has something for everyone. Complete with an additional green market, this spectacular show also features plants, body products, and tasty dips.

• APRIL 13 (SAT) 3-6PM FLY FISHING SCHOOL: CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL is offering their last spring Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing schools. Located on Siesta Key, the schools will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast. Instructors, Capt. Rick Grassett and Capt. Ed Hurst, will also cover leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques. The course, designed

And Beyond… • APRIL 5 - 14 /SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL: Held annually in Sarasota, FL., The Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes

the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 180 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kidfriendly picks. Entering their 21st year, they’re proud to bring the best new and veteran independent filmmakers to our Festival with local and kid-friendly programs that showcase our idyllic Gulf Coast community. Go to their website for program info: www.sarasotafilmfestival. com • PHILLIPI ESTATE PARK: LOCATED AT: 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231. April is the final month of the Farmhouse Market. Please enjoy all the local fruits and vegetables and stock up on honey, notecards, flowering plants and wellness products. One free tour per Wednesday of the Edson Keith Mansion will be held at 10:00 a.m. with a knowledgeable docent to take you through the house and talk about the early days of the Sarasota community. On Thursday, April 4 there will be a launch party to celebrate Phillippi’s Florida Stories walking app. As you stroll through the park, listen to the lively and colorful stories about this unique park.

The launch party will be from 5:30 to 7:30 on Thursday, April 4 at the Edson Keith Mansion. Refreshments will be served. On Sunday, April 14 there will be a Farm to Fork dinner on the lawn of the historic Keith Farmhouse. Mattison’s will be providing hors d’oeuvres, a 3 course dinner with wine pairings for $100.00 per ticket to benefit the renovation of the Keith Farmhouse to turn it into a free interpretive center, open to the public, featuring archaeological artifacts as well as memorabilia and old photos from the 19th century era of the estate. The Light Chasers (plein aire painters) will be exhibiting, painting and selling original art. 30% of their sales will benefit the historic Keith Farmhouse renovation. Sal Garcia will be spinning the tunes and a good time will be had by all. Plan to gather your friends and neighbors and attend this special fund-raiser. Call 941-316-1309 for more information. Sunday, April 28, the BradentonSarasota Rose Society will hold their monthly meeting from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Edson Keith Mansion. For more information, please visit: BSRS.org.

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

941.349.0194

SPRING BREAK

Freshman college students, Katie and Brooklyn can’t get enough of Spring Break on the soft sands of Siesta Beach. Katie is a nursing student and Brooklyn is studying interior design at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

www.siestasand.net

FISHING PHOTOS Submitted by Aledia Tush / CB’s Saltwater Outfitters

Best friends, Ellie Lyon, Madeleine Roman, and Corinna Nowicki of Toledo, OH enjoying every aspect of the incredible beaches on Siesta Key. “The beach is exactly as Corinna described it when she talked to us about coming along.” Duluth, Minnesota dad Chuck took his daughter, Abby out fishing on the Lets Get Em Charters out of Cbs Outfitters. The morning started out a little cool, windy and slow fishing. However, Chuck, an experienced fishermen persisted and caught then released a beautiful 6 1/2 pound redfish. He followed it up shortly thereafter with a snook and a nice size trout which gave him the inshore slam. Abby did her part when they got into a school of Jacks. She actually ended up catching more fish than her dad and had a ball watching the fish blow up on her lure. Sometimes you just have to stick with it and the game plan will work out.

These local friends and college students are just getting started on their spring break week. Nick and Sadie FIU, Liam Cornell University, Taylor SCF, Morgan UF, Morgan FSU, Harley USF, and Kiara FGCU. “There’s no better place to be on spring break than Siesta Beach,” they said.

Lizzy from Colorado with a nice snook.

Ben Engelland of Appleton, WI caught and released a shovelnose guitar fish using shrimp for bait.

www.siestasand.net

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Captain Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Report Adventure Charters 941-371-1390

Spanish mackerel should be plentiful in April

After a chilly start to 2019 in January, 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, 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 for snook 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 very good season for sheepshead and while it is past its peak there should still be some 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 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.

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.

APRIL 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Water World

Notes from the Island Fishmonger Eat Like A King

Although the month of Lent ends with Easter weekend, that is no reason to stop eating fish on a religious schedule. As a matter of fact, with the health benefits and delicious taste factors, I can’t think of any reason to discontinue your hearthealthy fish diet. First of all, April fishing begins our prime season on the Gulf Coast. Yes, we will see a decline in some of our favorite cold water fish such as Tripletail, Sheepshead, and Pompano although all these fish will still be available, just not as abundant. The great news is many of the March commercial fishing regulations get lifted in April. Red and Black Grouper closings are lifted in Mexico so we will see a huge relief in the prices of both Grouper species. A local favorite, Cobia, will migrate back to Sarasota in search of warmer waters and as always, all Amberjack regulations are lifted this time of year. Our Gulf Snapper will be plentiful, especially Yellowtail Snapper and Key West Grunts. As with the Grouper, Snapper prices should also begin to drop in April. April through September is prime “El Dorado” (more commonly known as Mahi Mahi) fishing, especially in Key West as they migrate to our waters during the summer time. Cobia, Amberjack, and Mahi Mahi are on the hot list but don’t forget about the Kingfish or King Mackerel as it is probably the hottest catch of the month. Many of you are looking forward to chasing the Tarpon this Spring and I wish you luck. I’m not that interested in catching a Tarpon because of the backbreaking work for a fish I can’t eat or sell. There’s no money in it. The Kingfish is what I want. It is an underrated fish. I have even heard it called a trash fish. This is simply not true. If properly prepared, this fish is outstanding table fare. Back in my offshore recreational fishing days, we were after Grouper & Snapper like everyone else. I’m sure that’s part of the reason these particular fish got overfished and we now have season restrictions to protect them. I can’t tell you how many Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Grunts, Blacktip Sharks, Porgies and Kings I have thrown back per the Captain’s request. All these fish were considered trash fish back then and now today they are all good eating. The Kingfish or King Mackerel is a migratory species from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. In April, our waters will be blessed with the migration and spawning of this fish as it passes

Kent is the KING

through the Sarasota area from Texas. The King is a medium sized fish typically encountered from 5 to 30 lbs. I personally think this is a beautiful fish in appearance with its lateral line that starts high on the shoulder, dips abruptly at mid-body then continues as a wavy horizontal line to the tail. Its color is best described as black and olive, fading to silver with a rosy iridescence on the sides. More often than not this fish has yellowish-brown spots on the flanks. This fish has large edged teeth so you don’t want to get bit while taking this fish off the hook. The raw flesh is grayish with a pink hue due to its high fat content. The fish has a denser texture and is a bit oilier than most fish but the fat content gives this fish great flavor and is a great source of omega 3 fatty acid and fish oil. This fish is much better served quickly after a catch as the meat deteriorates quicker than most fish. King Mackerel are primarily marketed fresh for that reason. The fish may be sold as fillets, steaks or whole. They are best prepared by grilling, frying, baking and most popular is smoked. A few menu items you may see in April at your Big Water Fish Market is a Fresh Cobia Poke, Mahi Mahi or Amberjack served with spicy rice and a tropical salsa, fried King Fish tacos, a King Mackerel stir fry and Smoked Kings. In May look for the end of Stone Crab season so get your fix in before May 15th. Carolina and Maryland live Softshell Crabs and Alaskan Crab legs will take their place.

Live well, Eat Fish! Scott Dolan Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Rd, Siesta Key 941-554-8101 www.BigWaterFishMarket.com

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

April 2019

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

12:28p

High Tide 1.5

12:39p

1.5

12:05a

5 6

High Tide

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

6:12a

-0.1

6:10p

0.8

7:21a

7:48p

5:28a

4:46p

6:45a

0.0

6:46p

0.6

7:20a

7:49p

6:03a

5:38p

7:12a

0.1

7:19p

0.5

7:19a

7:49p

6:37a

6:31p

1.6

7:36a

0.3

7:51p

0.3

7:18a

7:50p

7:10a

7:23p

1:12p

1.7

7:57a

0.4

8:25p

0.1

7:17a

7:50p

7:42a

8:17p

1.6

1:30p

1.9

8:16a

0.6

9:01p

0.0

7:16a

7:51p

8:16a

9:12p

2:40a

1.5

1:53p

2.0

8:36a

0.6

9:42p

-0.1

7:14a

7:51p

8:52a

10:08p

3:26a

1.4

2:21p

2.1

8:56a

0.7

10:30p

-0.2

7:13a

7:52p

9:30a

11:06p

4:25a

1.2

2:55p

2.2

9:16a

0.9

11:27p

-0.2

7:12a

7:52p

10:13a

5:48a

1.1

3:35p

2.2

9:30a

1.0

7:11a

7:53p

11:01a

12:06a

4:24p

2.1

12:35a

-0.2

7:10a

7:53p

11:54a

1:05a

5:30p

2.0

1:53a

-0.2

7:09a

7:54p

12:53p

2:03a

7:04p

1.9

3:10a

-0.3

7:08a

7:54p

1:55p

2:59a

11:25a

1.4

8:50p

1.8

4:17a

-0.3

3:43p

1.2

7:07a

7:55p

3:00p

3:50a

11:38a

1.5

10:17p

1.9

5:12a

-0.2

5:03p

0.9

7:06a

7:56p

4:06p

4:38a

11:55a

1.6

11:27p

1.9

5:58a

-0.1

6:02p

0.6

7:05a

7:56p

5:12p

5:21a

12:13p

1.7

6:37a

0.1

6:52p

0.4

7:04a

7:57p

6:17p

6:03a

12:27a

1.8

12:32p

1.8

7:09a

0.3

7:39p

0.1

7:03a

7:57p

7:21p

6:43a

1:22a

1.7

12:53p

2.0

7:37a

0.6

8:25p

-0.1

7:02a

7:58p

8:25p

7:23a

2:14a

1.6

1:16p

2.1

8:00a

0.7

9:10p

-0.3

7:01a

7:58p

9:28p

8:03a

3:07a

1.5

1:43p

2.2

8:20a

0.8

9:56p

-0.3

7:00a

7:59p

10:29p

8:46a

4:04a

1.3

2:12p

2.3

8:38a

1.0

10:45p

-0.3

6:59a

7:59p

11:29p

5:15a

1.2

2:44p

2.2

8:51a

1.1

11:39p

-0.2

6:58a

8:00p

3:21p

2.1

6:57a

8:00p

12:25a

11:08a

4:05p

2.0

12:39a

-0.1

6:56a

8:01p

1:17a

12:00p

5:07p

1.8

1:43a

0.0

6:55a

8:02p

2:04a

12:52p

10:42a

1.5

6:45p

1.6

2:48a

0.0

2:16p

1.4

6:55a

8:02p

2:48a

1:45p

10:50a

1.5

8:37p

1.6

3:46a

0.1

4:05p

1.2

6:54a

8:03p

3:27a

2:38p

11:05a

1.6

9:59p

1.6

4:35a

0.2

5:06p

0.9

6:53a

8:03p

4:03a

3:30p

11:20a

1.6

11:02p

1.6

5:16a

0.3

5:50p

0.7

6:52a

8:04p

4:37a

4:23p

11:20p

1.6

1.7

12:49p

1.6

12:45a

1.6

12:58p

1:22a

1.6

1:59a

Low Tide

Phase

New

1st

Full

9:31a 10:18a

3rd

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

941.349.0194

Michael Knupp: Volunteer at Conservation Foundation Michael Knupp has a long history as an executive in the environmental management world. He put his considerable skills to work when he took on a volunteer position at the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. It started off simply enough. When he and his wife moved to The Landings from Boston six years ago, they decided to do some volunteer work. Chris went to the Conservation Foundation, where she was asked “Do you do anything with computers?” “Well, my husband does,” she replied. Mike cheerfully came down and took on their computer data entry chores for a few hours a week. Very soon, however, the powersto-be soon realized they had a diamond in their hands. Mike had a huge amount of experience in the very things the Conservation Foundation stood for. Soon came the question: “Would you be interested in being on our board?” Mike researched the organization and found it to be a solid one. He made the decision to serve. Two years ago, he became Chairman of that board. “We do a lot of good things down here. We saved about 12,000 acres from development along the Myakka River and other watersheds, protecting the land with conservation easements. We have saved property from Manatee County all the way to Collier County. What we do is a fairly complex transaction. While We don’t generally buy property outright, we facilitate it being purchased by the County or the Water Utility or by individuals. “We talk to a lot of ranchers, most of whom are excellent conservationists. They will put their entire ranch into an environmental easement so that it can’t be developed at all. Ranchers and farmers continue using it as a working ranch. They get a tax advantage and we receive an easement fee so that we can insure the terms of the easement are followed. “Originally, I had worked for an Environmental company, and our company represented most of the big industrial giants in the oil, railroad and gas utility business. As a for profit company, we were there to make money by helping Corporations abide by the law. We did mostly legacy projects for clients who had issues dating back decades. We designed systems to clean up the messes they left at their industrial sites.” We did a $50,000,000 cleanup of an old refinery site in Wyoming acquired by BP as a result of their purchase of AMACO. We took down the refinery infrastructure, remediated the soil, cleaned up the ground water and the site was turned into an office park, a golf course, river walk, and waterpark to be enjoyed by all. There were also other unusual environmental projects. Mike recalls: “In the early 1900’s there were gaslights on the streets. They used coal to make the gas, which left residual tar, which was toxic. We wrote the book on how to clean it up and ended up specializing in gas works cleanups.” Another specialty became railroad ties. As railroads expanded to the west in the mid-1800’s, they were given one acre of land on each side of the track. (The Railroad Act of 1850.) This resulted in railroads becoming the largest

property owners in the US! In the old days, railroad ties were left to soak in creosote pits before being hammered in place, leaving a terrible environmental challenge for the 21st century. Again, Mike Knupp’s company took on the job of cleaning this up for most of the big rail companies. Batteries were another ecological problem. At one time, the railroads were the largest user of lead batteries in the world. Each rail crossing signal had battery backup. Mike’s company helped set up recycle programs to help alleviate the situation. Raised in Eagle, Colorado, a tiny town near Vail, and a graduate of Colorado State University, Mike’s future took a dramatic turn at a funeral for his uncle. A childhood friend of this uncle had come from Boston to pay his respects. He met young Mike and was obviously impressed. The uncle’s friend, his son and another young man had just started the world’s first environmental consulting firm in 1968. It was called Environmental Research and Technology (ERT). The friend wanted Mike on board. “Send me a resume,” demanded the man, but Mike did not. A few days later the man called Mike’s mother to complain. Mike sent the resume and SHAZAM! An airplane ticket came in the mail. The tiny new company had been awarded a large contract to bring power companies into compliance with the Clean Air Act enacted by the federal government in 1963. Says Mike: “They had more work than bodies to do it, so they hired me. I worked directly with my Uncle’s friend. He mentored me for several years. His son had gone to MIT, and his son’s friend was a Harvard guy. They found I had a knack for numbers, so they sent me back to school part-time and I worked full-time. I took cost accounting courses and became their first Project Cost Analyst.” Mike worked at ERT until it was sold in 1988 then left ERT to work for an environmental medical consulting firm in California. The firm was named Environmental Health Associates. He left the firm to return to Boston to work for a small engineering company which he helped grow into a 650 person firm across 22 locations across the US. Mike went on to become a pragmatic, successful P & L executive in Engineering Services and Environmental Management Consulting for more than 30 years. He had a stellar career holding progressive C-level positions including CAO, CFO, COO, and CEO. Companies he helped build are: Environmental Health Associates (19871989); Remediation Technologies (1989-1999); ThermoRetec Consulting Corp (1996-2003); The RETEC Group, Inc. (1989-2007); AECOM Water & Industry Practice (2007); and AECOM Environment (2008-2009). Since 2009, he has been a self-employed Management Consultant. In addition to serving as the Current Board Chair of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, he is also a Board Member of Landings Management Association and is a member of the Lakes & Drainage Committee, the Finance Committee and the Safety and Security Committee.

Dogs on Siesta Key beach “We don’t have the ability or mechanism to enforce that county prohibition regarding dogs on the beach,” Rissler added of Parks staff. “If they would show up at sunset at Access 2, it’d be a real eye-opener,” Rod told Lewis and Rissler. “Sometimes we put rules in place in an effort to curb certain behavior,” Lewis replied, but enforcement problems can occur. Lewis asked for Rod’s opinion about the idea of county staff members making bags available at Access 2 for dog owners to use in cleaning up their pets’ waste. “That’d be like putting ashtrays in a ‘No Smoking’ zone, right?” Rod replied. “There are certain behaviors that are difficult to curb,” Lewis said. Audience member Michael Shay then pointed out that Sheriff’s Office deputies have given out citations to owners with dogs on the beach. “But you have to make the phone call to report a problem.” Lewis suggested that Rissler could talk with Sheriff Tom Knight about ensuring deputies check on the situation at Access 2 on occasion. “Sometimes even intermittent enforcement can help.” “It’s a health issue, if nothing else,” Rod told Lewis. “At least officers’ presence might do something.” The past and the present For decades, Siesta property owners and visitors referred to the area around Beach Access 2 as “dog beach.” It was a common gathering place for people and their canine companions. Then, on Dec. 11, 2007, the County Commission approved an ordinance that not only prohibits dogs on the beach but also enumerates a number of other illegal activities. That ordinance has been amended periodically through the years for various reasons. Nonetheless, Section 33 of Chapter 90 of the Sarasota County Code of Ordinances still says, “Unless otherwise noted, the following conditions, uses, and

www.siestasand.net

By Diana Colson

The Upper Myakka River Preserve protects more than one mile of river shoreline and more than 60 acres of floodplain wetlands that are critical for the water quality and diversity of wildlife in and around the river

This one acre Siesta Key preserve property, donated to CF in 2008, provides nesting habitat for threatened birds such as the snowy plover. CF has managed this property through a partnership with Sarasota Audubon Society

Continued from cover story

activities are prohibited on … Siesta Key Beaches from Palmer Point Park to the municipal limits of the City of Sarasota: Article 2 “Dogs, cats, and other pets outside of areas specifically designated for activities involving such animals, except for dogs trained to assist or aid disabled or handicapped persons when such dogs are actually being used to assist or aid such persons. Any dog, cat or other pet found in violation of this section may be impounded and held in accordance with provisions of the Sarasota County Code of Ordinances.” Sgt. Paul Cernansky, who took Handicapped parking sign Beach Access 2 sign and bollards before sunset Feb. 7 2019 over as leader of the Sheriff’s Office Siesta substation last fall, Access 2. His property is easily identifiable because of the talked about Article 2 in a telephone groin that juts from it into the Gulf of Mexico. interview. “We enforce it as appropriate,” he said. “I’m just trying Before Cosentino acquired the property, Sgt. Cernansky told SNL, the other owners of the private lots between Access to keep things as simple as possible.” A kiosk at each beach access on the island — including 2 and Access 3 had stipulated to the Sheriff’s Office that they Access 2 — makes it clear that dogs are prohibited except wanted deputies to keep dogs off their property, as if their as provided for under Article 2, Section 33 of Chapter 90 of land were part of the public beach. Cosentino took a different view, Cernansky said. the County Code. One primary reason, county staff has explained, is to Cosentino has a dog, Cernansky added, so Cosentino allows protect the beach-nesting birds on Siesta Key, including the other dogs on his property at 10 Beach Road. endangered snowy plover. If startled by dogs — even with Nonetheless, Cernansky emphasized, if an officer determines that a public safety or health hazard exists, the eggs close to hatching — the birds will abandon a nest. officer will act on that. However, he said, “A dog under control is not a health A new wrinkle at Access 2 A more recent situation at Access 2 may be confusing hazard in general.” visitors and new residents unfamiliar with the county Summing up the situation, Cernansky said, “Dogs are allowed on Cosentino’s property, but nowhere else. … He’s regulations. In early September 2016, Siesta resident Mike Cosentino chosen for us not to enforce the county ordinance on his purchased the property at 10 Beach Road, adjacent to parcel, and as a property owner, that is his right.”

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

APRIL 2019

Your Monthly Horoscope ARIES (March 21–April 19): Expect delays and detours this month, oh speedy one. Just as communication planet Mercury corrects course, Jupiter and, later in April, Pluto and Saturn, shift into reverse, forcing you to change some plans or adjust your timeline for the next several months. While it’s sure to be frustrating at times, look for the silver lining—e.g., a chance to review everything and make sure it’s all exactly to your liking. TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Your methodical sign may actually appreciate the upcoming trio of retrogrades (Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn) that, while throwing some curveballs your way, will also downshift things to a more comfortable cruising speed. But you won’t be stuck in the slow lane forever! On the 20th, the Sun blazes into your sign and makes you magnetic. Pick one major goal and don’t stop pursuing till you attain it! GEMINI (May 21–June 20): First, the good news: Your cosmic ruler, Mercury, is no longer retrograde, so your foot probably won’t wind up in your mouth again this month. The “bad” news: A trio of other planets (Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn) shift into reverse, causing slowdowns, delays and traffic jams left and right. While life won’t come to grinding halt, you’ll feel more in control if you have a Plan B (and maybe C) at the ready. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Right on the heels of communication planet Mercury resuming forward motion, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn grab the retrograde baton and begin their annual slowdowns throughout the month. While this could send a certain partnership through an emotional obstacle course, think of it as repeated opportunities to talk things through and get them right! Professionally, you’ll hit a creative high starting on the 20th as Venus lights up your career zone for a month. LEO (July 23–August 22): If you’re thinking of making a bold move or taking a little gamble on something, do it before the 10th, when lucky Jupiter shifts into reverse in your risk-taking fifth house. Later in the month, Pluto and Saturn will also turn retrograde, slowing down progress on a long-term project. You may have to adjust your timeline, look at this as a chance to get everything perfect, hopefully saving you time and money in the long run. VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Sweet relief! Your galactic guardian, mental Mercury, is back on track after a nail-biter of a three-week retrograde in your relationship realm. It’s now safe to have that talk or make future plans together. But starting on the 10th, Jupiter and then later in the month Pluto and Saturn will turn retrograde, causing delays and reversals around a home or creative project. Take it as a cue to rethink and revise—but not freak out! LIBRA (September 23–October 22): With expressive Mercury back on track after a three-week retrograde, you can get down to brass tacks on a personal project. But hurry! On the 10th, expansive Jupiter shifts into reverse in your communication zone, followed by

By Suzanne Gerber

Pluto and Saturn in your domestic quarters, halting progress or adding weeks (or months!) to your timeline. Happily, your amorous ruler, Venus, enters your partnership zone on the 20th, restoring the harmony—or maybe bringing in new love! SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): It’s an “under the radar” kind of month, but isn’t that how you like it? With three planets turning retrograde this month (Jupiter, Saturn and your co-ruler Pluto), you may have a lot of things to process. No need to explain yourself; this is your prerogative! But do note that when the Sun and transformative Uranus make their annual meetup on the 22nd in your relationship zone, something could shift in a heartbeat! SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21): You may prefer to be neither seen nor heard much this month as all the planets take a group dip below the surface. This doesn’t mean you’ll be a hermit; just that you’ll shun noisy crowds and feel happier close to home. Note: With three planets turning retrograde this month (your ruler, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn), it might take longer to launch an initiate, or it may not go off according to plan. CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19): Tie up loose ends and take action on something you’re trying to get off the ground asap. This month, a trio of planets (Jupiter, Pluto and your ruler, Saturn) turn retrograde in your sign, leading to delays, detours and your most dreaded “d” word, drama. Fortunately, your slow-and-steady sign can roll with any punches! On the 20th, your romantic life gets a shot in the arm for a month. Make the most of that sweet spell! AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Your quickwitted sign doesn’t usually stop to self-edit before you speak, but you might want to consider that option this month. Even though expressive Mercury is back in forward motion, Jupiter is turning retrograde in your social sector on the 10th, which could spark some unwanted arguments. Later in the month, when Pluto and your co-ruler, Saturn, follow suit in your unconscious zone, speaking off the cuff won’t be the best strategy for keeping the peace. PISCES (February 19–March 20): Take the initiative on a group project early in the month because three key planets will be shifting into reverse and slowing your roll. On the 10th, your co-ruler, Jupiter, kicks off the retrograde brigade in your career corner, followed by Pluto and Saturn in your teamwork and technology zone. Don’t rely on anyone else to do the things you know you need to handle. Things will get done; they just might take (a lot) longer!) Suzanne Gerber (www.starsandstoneshealing.com) is a locally based intuitive astrologer, shamanic/energy practitioner and spiritual life coach. She works at Wild Ginger Apothecary in Gulf Gate on Friday afternoons on a drop-in basis and is available for private in-person and phone sessions by appointment. Or book her for your next “psychic party”! www.TheMariner.com

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ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 47 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 45-46 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 42

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: 7940 SANDERLING RD. SOLD FOR: $6,000,000 Direct gulf front home / private gulf front beach, Very few “Siesta Key” homes boast a real direct “Gulf Front” property with a private “Gulf Front” beach, especially within a private gated community. Well here is one of those very rare property opportunities. Located on “Siesta Key” within the gates of the “Sanderling Club” on the exclusive gulf side of “Sanderling Road”. A contemporary / modern design built by the wellknown and respected builder; Michael Walker. This home delivers on many fronts, very open and “Full Gulf View” living / dining coupled with a contiguous kitchen finished by “Neff Kitchens”. All bedrooms, of course, ensuite with their own outside balconies. The master is the entire third floor, something that has to be seen to understand and appreciate. The living / master / guest room “Gulf Views” are unsurpassed. Of course a beautiful extra-large “Gulf Front” pool with spa as well as a lower level entertainment area that opens to the same pool. No matter what time of the year, enjoy direct sunsets from your own private beach as the property is perfectly situated to have a southwest rear exposure. With a “Direct Gulf Front” home one wants to be very sure the construction is safe; come and confirm the poured concrete walls and floors secured with deep drilled concrete pilings. Boat Docks / Beach Cabanas / Lagoon Access / 24 Security / Tennis Courts / Playground / Club House (Paul Rudolph Design) all part of supporting community amenities. Ready for your private showing! The sale on this unit came out to $1,331.57 a square foot. Courtesy of Re/Max Alliance. LOWEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY: 1211 LYRIC LN. : SOLD FOR: $427,500 Great Siesta Key Location! This house is a great fixer upper or build new on this 150x116 beautiful lot. Located on private dead end street across Midnight Pass from the Sanderling Club and nestled with lovely homes. Close to beach accesses and walking distance to the South Siesta Key excitement. JUST REDUCED! The sale of this property came out to $216.35 a square foot. Courtesy of Key Solutions Real Estate.

HIGHEST PRICED CONDO: 6480 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #419: SOLD FOR: $1,300,000 This updated 2 bedroom/2 bath, 4th floor unit has a direct view of the Gulf. It is located in the gated community of Siesta Breakers which boasts many amenities including its own private white sand beach and centrally located near the Stickney Point bridge. The sale on this unit came out to $1,027.67 a square foot. Courtesy of Action Realty of Sarasota.

LOWEST PRICED CONDO: 119 PASS KEY RD, #119 SOLD FOR: $285,000 Enjoy Siesta Key in beautiful Sandy Cove 3. Nicely renovated 1 bedroom /1 bath ground floor unit. Beautifully decorated with high end Brookhaven cabinets and Zodiac counter tops. Well-designed built in cabinets and bookshelves in the bedroom and living room with tile flooring throughout. Bosch washer and dryer, stainless steel appliances and newer HVAC system. Master bedroom and kitchen open to the lanai and pool area. Enjoy magnificent sunsets at Sandy Cove from their private fishing pier or park-like setting along the Gulf shore. Sandy Cove is pet friendly and walking distance to the Village of Siesta Key offering restaurants, shopping, market, post office and pharmacy. Great rental complex or call it home! The sale came out to $472.41 a square foot. . Courtesy of Keller Williams.

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$899,000 1122 Horizon View Drive Siesta Key, FL

Deeded beach access!! Your feet will be in the Gulf of Mexico in 60 seconds!!! This immaculate pool home features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 BR, 3.5 BA along with the LL bonus 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.

1001 Beach Road, Unit #A-602 Siesta Key, FL

This 6th floor recently updated condo is located right across the street from world famous Siesta Key Beach. Enjoy views of the beautiful Golf of Mexico and Siesta Key canals from your two large terraces.

$685,000

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$875,000 322 Island Circle Siesta Key, FL

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.

797 Beach Road, #305 Siesta Key, FL

Full Gulf view of #1 Beach in the USA. Completely remodeled, priced to sell! High end tile floors in main living area, quality custom kitchen cabinets, designer kitchen, Crescent Royale offers an onsite rental program, heated pool and much more!

$499,900

$999,000 5157 Sandy Shore Ave. Siesta Key, FL

Spacious Siesta Key home on excellent boating water. This canal front home is located on a quiet low traffic dead end â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sandyâ&#x20AC;? street. Split plan 4 bedroom & 3 bath 2,493 square foot home with recently updated kitchen & bath. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders for added storm security. You will love lounging around the large pool on this oversized lot (14,352 SF) and dock with lift on the wide canal with easy access to world class boating & fishing. You are only a short walk to famous Siesta Key Village & Siesta Beach.

195 Vista Hermosa Circle, #9-A Siesta Key, FL

Just a short walk to Siesta Beach, 2 BR, 2 BA villa. Ideal rental opportunity. Custom wood cabinets in the kitchen with granite counters & upgraded appliances. Bathrooms boast tumbled marble & granite. Custom lighting. New A/C in 2017 and recently installed water heater. Roof replaced in 2016. Sold turnkey furnished (with some exclusions).

$429,900

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Midnight Cove II: Nestled along the Intracoastal with top amenities By Roger Drouin Midnight Cove II is located seconds from the white sands of Crescent Beach, a stroll to mid-Key restaurants and shops, and a short ride to Siesta Key Village. The property has private boat docks, as well as a heated swimming pool, newly rebuilt tennis courts, basketball court, club house, and barbeque grilling area. The community is well run with healthy reserves. There have been six sales in Midnight Cove II in just six months, ranging in sale price from $360 a square foot to $480 a square foot. The sale prices of the units ranged from $379,000 to $620,000, according to MLS. Realtor Bob Ruiz, of Key Solutions Real Estate, says Midnight Cove II has long been a popular choice with both owners and renting vacationers. “The community offers a myriad of amenities in a beautifully landscaped and convenient location,” Ruiz says. Realtor Ofelia Derr, who has a two-bedroom, canalview unit listed for sale in the community, says there are several amenities that make the community a top choice for both seasonal residents and investorowners. The minimum one-week rental period and voluntary on-site rental program is a plus for those who want to rent out their units. “They do allow a pet, and many condos do not,” adds Derr, also of Key Solutions Real Estate. The community has a new boat dock that leads to the Intracoastal and shares deeded beach access with Midnight Cove. “They also have a nice swimming pool and updated gym,” Derr adds. Another feature at Midnight Cove II is a brickpaver path that meanders down to the dock and Intracoastal and along the canal to the swimming pool. The pool, according to the Midnight Cove II’s website, is heated to a comfortable 84 degrees during the cooler winter months. Units include a two bedroom, one-and-a-half bath model, as well as two-bedroom, two-bath units, and units that offer three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. NOTE: Midnight Cove, located one complex south on Midnight Pass Road, is considered a separate community from Midnight Cove II. The two communities share a deeded beach access, but do not share other amenities. Derr’s listing was completely remodeled in 2018. The unit went from having “wallpaper everywhere” and a closed-off kitchen to an open-concept layout and light-and-bright décor, she told Siesta Sand. The two bedroom, one-and-a-half bath unit has a canal view from the kitchen, living area, and the lanai, Derr says. Remodel features include open kitchen/dinning/living area, new kitchen cabinets, all new stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, new tile flooring throughout, and crown molding. Both baths were also re-done, and all new doors installed. New AC was installed in 2017, as well. A closet was turned into a space for the new washer

and dryer. The unit has 860 square feet. The unit is just steps to the Intracoastal and the boat docks, Derr says. The realtor notes that Midnight Cove II is a draw for many buyers because of the one-week rental minimum. “It’s a good investment property because you can rent it out more [often] and get more income,” she says. “Some people, though, don’t rent it out and live there as snowbirds.” According to the community’s website. Midnight Cove II has 70 vacation condos available for rent, with a minimum one-week stay. Ruiz believes there is a mix of renovation at Midnight Cove II, with some owners partially updating units and other units that have undergone more-thorough remodeling, such as the listing Derr has. “As is typical for Siesta Key, there is a wide variation among units of upgrades and renovations,” Ruiz says. “We are seeing most new buyers undertake considerable renovation to make units current in decor.” • Five units have sold in only an eight-week period. Those sales included: A ground floor, renovated two bedroom, two bath unit sold for $445,000, or $440 a square foot. The renovated, and expanded, unit offers 1,010 square feet of living space, according to the MLS listing. It features a remolded kitchen with new stainlesssteel appliances and granite breakfast bar, a full second bathroom with walk in shower. The unit also had new AC installed in 2013. The great room overlooks the waters of the lagoon and lush tropical landscaping. The unit sold in December, 2018. A two-bedroom unit with 860 square feet and one full and one half bath sold for $397,050, or $397 a square foot. This unit, which overlooks the boating basin and canal, also sold in December, 2018. The unit features a kitchen breakfast bar and is open to the living and dining area and large screened lanai. It is located near the heated swimming pool. A three-bedroom with two-and-a-half baths unit that sold for $620,000, or $360 a square foot. The unit has 1,720 square feet, and has a view of the Intracoastal. It sold in December, 2018. Another two-bedroom unit with 860 square feet sold for $413,500 in November, 2018. This is a thirdfloor unit overlooking a pool. The sale came out to $480 a square foot. • Two units are currently listed for sale. In addition to Derr’s two-bedroom unit, another two bedroom unit (also at 860 square feet) is listed for $429,000. The MLS listing reads: “This gorgeous unit features tile flooring throughout and has a washer and dryer. The kitchen features granite counters and stainless appliances.”

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The Siesta Key Palms Hotel When Sarasota County real estate developer Henry Rodriguez bought the commercial property at 1800 Stickney Point Road in 2016, he knew he had his work cut out for him. Decades ago, there had been two motels on the site, the Tides Inn Motel and the Sunset Lodge. More recently, another buyer had bought the two Old Florida-style motels, took care of a few renovations and had renamed the property The Elephant Ear Suites. Rodriguez saw the property and immediately had a vision for it. “It was an old motel, but not really a typical one with parking out in the front,” he said. “There’s a newer trend, where they take old motels and make them into hipster-type boutique motels, so I wanted to create a place that was tropical and luxurious.” Rodriguez knows the real estate development business, since he was the developer behind the Wal-Mart Supercenter and original owner of the 41-acre Bay Street Village and Towncenter in Osprey. He has also bought and developed tens of millions of dollars in other commercial and residential real estate projects, most notably a 20-unit property on Gateway Avenue and a 22unit hotel in Nokomis. The first couple of things Rodriguez did after purchasing the two and a half acre site on Stickney Point Road for $1.9 million were to rename it the Siesta Key Palms Hotel, and begin renovations to the existing 21 guest rooms. Rodriguez said that when he was designing both the interior and exterior spaces of the resort, he kept in mind the types of places he, himself, would want to stay. “I travel all over the world, and I’m a picky traveler,” he said. “I wanted to create a higher end experience for the guests.” At the end of last year, Rodriguez added six more units and incorporated more parking spaces. His property now has 13 guestrooms, eight 380 square-foot suites and six 470 square-foot villas. All are one-bedroom units, and each has a fully stocked kitchen or kitchenette with granite countertop, a flat screen television, a safe and a private courtyard in the back. The units have been renovated top to bottom, with secure doors and locks, hurricane-resistant windows and all new paint and décor. And the larger villa units even have hammocks in their private courtyards, for the ultimate relaxation. Since visitors to the Siesta Key area are typically looking to take advantage of the beauty outside, Rodriguez has transformed his property into a tropical

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By Debbie Flessner

oasis. There’s one lovely, resort-style pool, with tiki huts and comfortable seating, and another “adults-only” pool on the other side of the property. Plus, there are numerous areas with hammocks set up in the sand under shady trees, for afternoon naps or just to read a book. There’s even a sandy “Chill Zone” near the villas for adults to relax in comfortable seating by the fire pit. With the assistance of his general manager, Bob Gores, his marketing manager/front desk clerk Priscilla Rosario and a small staff, Rodriguez ensures that the Siesta Key Palms Hotel has all the comforts of home for his guests, even if it is a tropical getaway. “We have a laundry located on the property, plus heated pools, a gas grill and a screened-in community room,” he said. “Plus, we’re just a short walk from the beach and have free bicycle rentals.” Having just received approval from Sarasota County to add 20 more units to his property, Rodriguez has clear goals for where he wants to take it in the future. He’d like to add some additional waterfall features and tiki torches, as well as a jacuzzi. And once he obtains his full liquor license, he plans to perhaps open a small bar in one of the tiki huts by the pool. He also plans to build a welcoming entrance from the new parking lot, but that is already in progress. With the work (and the $800,000 in renovations) Rodriquez has put into the property, The Siesta Key Palms continues to receive local and national accolades. In 2017, it earned a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor and currently ranks as the Number 2 hotel out of 51 in Sarasota, as 75 percent of the website’s reviewers gave it the highest rating possible. And since the completion of renovations, the hotel has been featured twice on the Today Show and in “Travel + Leisure” and “Vogue” Magazines. Above all, Rodriguez says that he’s trying to create a high-end happening for his guests, and wants the result of his “passion project” to be absolutely perfect. “We are the top-rated, non-branded hotel out of 250 hotels in Sarasota,” he said. “There is no place on or off the Key that has the luxuries that we have here. It’s all about the experience we are creating for our guests.” The Siesta Key Palms Hotel is located at 1800 Stickney Point Road, just on the east side of the Stickney Point Bridge. For more information, or to make a reservation, call 941-786-4778 or visit the website at www.siestakeypalmshotel.com.

The drive up to the Siesta Key Palms Hotel is an indicator of the property’s tropical peacefulness

Siesta Key Palms Hotel owner Henry Rodriguez and his front office/marketing manager Priscilla Rosario make sure every guest has a full resort experience

In the “Chill Zone,” adults can relax by the firepit

The resort-style pool area has a large, shaded tiki and comfortable lounge chairs. There is also a separate adults-only pool on the other side of the property

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Snapshots of Island Visitors Photos by Jaye Clements, Sarasota Photography

Monica, Lexi, Taylor, & Aalyiah from OH

Island Chatter

Continued from page 17

Red tide respiratory protection encouraged

On a very different note during the Siesta Key Association’s annual meeting in March, outgoing president Gene Kusekoski asked guest speaker Dr. Philip Farrell for Farrell’s thoughts about one aspect of red tide. Farrell is a physician who is a respiratory specialist. “How big a threat” are the red tide aerosols during an intense period of the algae bloom, Kusekoski inquired. “It’s quite serious,” Farrell responded. Wearing a mask, he pointed out, “will definitely mitigate a person’s exposure.” Even simple masks that doctors’ offices provide for people with coughs — to keep the germs from spreading to others — have some benefit, Farrell said. Farrell also noted, “There are masks that are particularly good for small particles,” though they look like “space-age” equipment. The best protection that he had found, Kusekoski indicated, is from a mask with the N95 classification.

Replenishing fish lost to red tide Mason Tush, whose family owns CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, reported during the Feb. 20 Siesta Chamber meeting for members that the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) would be releasing about 2,000 redfish into the water at the Turtle Beach Park kayak launch that day. Because shrimp are not affected much by red tide, he added, “There’s plenty of bait out there” for the new fish. Therefore, the hope, he said, is that the fish will grow quickly. CCA Florida, Duke Energy and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began releasing more than 16,000 juvenile and adult redfish in Southwest Florida counties in February “to address the loss to the fishery as a result of red tide devastation,” the CCC Florida website says.

Kudos for the Luckners

February

During the SKA Annual Breakfast Meeting on March 2, as outgoing President Gene Kusekoski was discussing issues on which the organization had worked over the past year, he offered an accolade to two people that the audience members seemed to agree was most apropos. Kusekoski was discussing the SKA’s years-long effort to prevent the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass to renourish about 1.6 miles of South Lido Key Beach. “All of this work would not be possible without the tireless effort of the ‘Energizer Bunny’ team of Catherine Luckner and her husband, Bob,” Kusekoski said. “They will dig through the dust bunnies to find relevant bits of information.” Catherine Luckner is the new president of the SKA. Bob Luckner long has been a member of the nonprofit’s Environmental Committee.

Coupons for food lovers In this month’s edition, coupons are being offered by several advertisers: Kruk’s Philly steaks has two coupons: FREE reg. fries with purchase and a discount coupon on page 5. OfKors Donuts is offering a FREE donut with the coupon and Palermo Pizza is offering a discount coupon, both ads are on page 17. Pride of the South has a coupon on page 30 and Solorzano’s has discount coupons on the back page.

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Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce events

Right: The Business Card Exchange at the Siesta Key Wine Bar was a big hit! The beautifully remodeled bar is a favorite local spot for many. Thank you Darlene Gamble and the SK Wine Bar staff for hosting this event. Also, thank you Village Cafe, GEM Travel, and Sabal Palms Bank for the door prize donations! Above: G. Fried Flooring America recently opened their new Sarasota location and what better way to celebrate than a tri-Chamber ribbon cutting?! We joined Longboat Key and Sarasota Chambers in commemorating this exciting milestone. Thank you Mike Solmson, Jacci Shovlin, Elaine Hinkley, and staff for opening your doors to our members. Everyone had a great time!

Left: The Chamber would like to thank Gecko’s Grill & Pub on Stickney Point for hosting our March Networking Luncheon! We had a great turn out and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Also, thank you to the following businesses for donating door prizes: McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, Ringling Beach House, Cruisin’ Tikis Sarasota, Concept Digital Media, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and Sarasota County.

The Chamber would like to welcome the following new members: Chick-fil-A Pelican Plaza, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving. The SK Chamber 5114 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village. 941-349-3800.

Blooming This Month Quesnelia Bromeliad Currently in bloom at The Sarasota Garden Club, located on 1131 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, is the stunning Bromeliad, “Quesnelia Testudo”. This plant does very well in drought and hot weather conditions. They can tolerate cold temperatures down to 25 degrees for a few hours. Plant them in your shady areas. For a stunning statement, plant around shade trees. As they mature they will climb up the trunks of your tree. It has a well formed rosette of about 20 plain green leaves. The bloom is about a foot tall, with inflorescence bear rosy red bracts and violet or white petals. After the bloom has dried, it is nice to use in dried floral arrangements. Ask about the Sarasota Garden Club, GardenFest, December 14, 2019… 941-955-0875. Happy Gardening, Kay Weber, Botanical Gardens Chair and 3rd Vice President of the Sarasota Garden Club. www.sarasotagardenclub.org

• 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

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Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

CONTRACTORS CONTINUED

• Best Western Plus Siesta Key – AAA -3 Diamond Property, • Baths, Kitchens & More is a full service remodeling company Free shuttle service to and from Siesta Key 941-924-4900, 6600 S. with over 85 years combined experience updating bathrooms, Tamiami Trl., Sarasota kitchens and general remodeling projects. Remodeling projects can become very overwhelming, we will listen to you, understand • Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms. your vision, and design to fit your needs and budget. We will help Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500 walk you thru the process from drawing 3D designs, selecting countertops, tile down to the paint color all included BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS cabinets, in our service to you. Jim has a great vision of what a space can be, he has been on HGTV, the DIY network, and worked with TV stars Mike Holmes and Chip Wade. Our newest showroom will be located in the Stickney Point/Hwy. 41 area in Sarasota. For a Capt. Jack Wallace free consultation please call 941-893-1717 to get “The look for less” (state lic. CBC# 1262334)

Captain Jacks Yacht Charters

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.

Having Fun Fishing in The Sun

• Hawk’s Nest Construction Inc. is a certified Class A general contractor licensed in all phases of construction. Owner, Mark Hawkins Sr. personally oversees every aspect of your project from start to finish, using only the best and most reliable licensed artisan and craftsmen. His passion is delighting his clients by turning their home-improvement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-6509499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com • Nutter Construction is your local Siesta Key builder. We have a strong team with over 30 years of combined high end residential construction experience in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. We offer custom construction, remodeling services, management and consulting, concierge service, and we are committed to protecting our resources by using construction techniques that are environmentally friendly. Call us at 941-924-1868, visit our showroom at 3534 South Osprey Avenue, or check us out online at www.nutterconstruction.com. LEED AP | FL Licensed Building Contractor CBC060004 | FL Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate BK322256 | Certified Home Inspector HI4630

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FITNESS

Join Fit Tribe SRQ every Mon, Wed, & Sat at 9am for fun Group Fitness classes at Siesta Key Beach Main Pavillon. For more details please see our Facebook page www.facebook.com/FitTribeSRQ

GARAGE SALE Garage Sale Osprey Junction Trailhead Park 939 E. Bay Street, Osprey Saturday, April 6th from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Proceeds to Visitor Center

HOUSE WATCH

Insured, Bonded and Licensed by The National Home Watch Association.

(941) 961-4309

www.SuncoastHomeConcierge.com

House Watch Sarasota Licensed and Insured

Affordable and Dependable Service Solutions For Your Home While You Are Away

941-400-2452

Tony Fudoli Sr. CAPTAIN tntfreedomfishing@yahoo.com

R. BRuce Whittinghill, llc (941) 955-1864

Veteran Owned Business

Call or e-mail sarasotabruce1@housewatchsrq.com for quotes and references Serving SaraSota and Surrounding areaS Since 1979

housewatchsrq.com

Dolphin Watch • SunSetS • half Day aDventure SailS

INVESTIGATORS

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

Sailing From Marina Jack, Sarasota

Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran 941-896-6400

www.KathleenD.net

• Siesta Key Marina Located at 1265 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key, has been serving Sarasota boaters and fishermen since 1961. A staple in the Sarasota boating community, offering 243 dry storage racks, a full service ship store, onsite boat service, boat rentals, bait, fuel, fishing tackle and more. 941-349-1970

New Look-

CLEANING SERVICES

Green Magic Cleaning Service

“Residential and Commercial”

Shower & Bathtub Walls

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

• High quality services • Competitive rates • Great references • Always the same crew www.SarasotaHouseCleaningService.com

GreenMagicCleaning@gmail.com Call for a FREE estimate today!

(941) 780-4248

CONTRACTORS

BRUNOPASQUALI1@YAHOO.COM

Shower & Bath Makeovers

941-726-4383

Free Estimates Call John 941.377.2940

P.O. BOX 1194, OSPREY, FL 34229

A2100049

Sarasota resident since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com www.qualitycountscleaning.com

941.756.1082 Carpet, Tile and Upholstery Cleaning • Free Estimates • Satisfaction Guaranteed • Stain Specialists • Chamber of Commerce Members

JEWELRY

WE BUY!

TURN YOUR

Serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties Locally Owned and Operated

We don’t cut corners, we dust them.

A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

CRIMINAL & CIVIL DISCREET & CONFIDENTIAL

Reasonable Prices!

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

CENTRAL INVESTIGATION SERVICES

J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

Board-Certified dermatologist skin CanCer • laser • Botox and Hair/nail disorders

www.dermatologyexperts.com

Free Pick Up & Delivery Service Call

from your home or business

941-275-4647

ExEcutivE Shirt SErvicE • houSEhold itEmS • SamE day SErvicE availablE

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

Tues - Sat | 941.926.3335

MEDICAL

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

Environmentally Conscious Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service

INTO CASH! caratsfjw.com

1922 Bay Rd., Sarasota

• Wilson Windows is a State Certified General Contractor specializing in glass porch enclosures and window replacement. They offer only top quality products installed by professionally trained technicians. All projects are engineered and permitted to meet the new state building codes related to impact, water infiltration and high velocity windload calculations. Their services include window repair, new custom screens, glass cut to size, and hard to find window parts inventory at both locations. Fully insured and their work is guaranteed. 941-921-1113, www.wilson-window.com.

DRY CLEANERS

ROLEX

941.926.7546

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

APRIL 2019

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY CONTINUED

HOMES FOR SALE

Olde Fashion Barber Shop

CO-OP OPPORTUNITY NEAR SIESTA KEY: $114,500. Mobile Estates is a resident owned 55 plus community located in a prime location one mile from Siesta Key in Sarasota. This home has been meticulously restored. A beautiful single wide mobile home with one large bedroom and one bath with a large attached lanai and shed. Maintenance fee $160 month. Website 2042champion.site for more info. Call Scott 215-266-0402.

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

SHORT WALK TO SIESTA BEACH: $429,900 195 Vista Hermosa Circle, #9-A, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4189942. Beautifully remodeled, 2 BR, 2 BA villa. Designer tile & carpet throughout. This villa is being sold turnkey furnished (with some exclusions). Dan Miller, Re/ Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

• SRG Productions has filed a fictitious name with the State of SPORTS RENTALS / ACCESSORIES Florida. Doing business at 2035 Champion St. Sarasota FL 34231. Contact info 215-266-0402 • Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free FULL GULF VIEW OF #1 BEACH: $499,900 pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta 797 Beach Rd, #305, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4188853 MOVING & STORAGE Key Village. 941-554-4242 Completely remodeled unit with high end tile floors

AAA FLAT RATE MOVING AND STORAGE CO. SARASOTA’S MOVER OF CHOICE SINCE 1980 AROUND THE CORNER OR AROUND THE WORLD CALL OR EMAIL FOR A FREE MOVING ESTIMATE 941-922-4466 / AAAFLATRATE@AOL.COM

www.aaamovingsarasota.com PAVER CLEANERS

in main living area, quality custom kitchen cabinets with granite counters. All the lighting has been upgraded throughout this TURNKEY FURNISHED (some artwork excluded) unit. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941• Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, 376-7442 • 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

kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and PALM ISLAND HOME ON THE GRAND CANAL: pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797

TRANSPORTATION

Sarasota’s Premier “Chauffeur”

Airport Rides Starting At Only

30 941.735.4732 $

All Ports In Florida

Stress Free • Smooth and Easy Ask for Eddie

Sarasota Senior Serving Other Seniors 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

• I will drive you to or from any Florida airport • I will drive your car to or from anywhere in the US or Canada Please Call 248-225-9819 or email: bakeru99@comcast.net

941-928-9200

RIDE THE KEY FREE

• 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

15-20 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME (Based upon traffic)

SERVICING

Siesta Key Beach Siesta Village Turtle Beach

DRIVER TIPS ONLY

Restaurants and Accommodations Operating 10AM to 2AM Daily

www.JonnysOriginalFreeRide.com

5 for $9 Lunch Specials Mon. - Fri. 11 am - 2 pm

Your Choice:

All entrees served with your choice of fries, baked beans or coleslaw.

941.923.4666

6507 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota

• Cheeseburger • 10 Boneless Wings • Grilled Chicken Salad • Buffalo Chicken Sandwich,

Transportation for everyone on the Sun Coast Friendliest Ride In Town

(available grilled)

• Wraps:

(turkey bacon, buffalo shrimp or buffalo chicken)

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

DEEDED BEACH ACCESS: $899,900 1122 Horizon View Drive, Siesta Key, FL., MLS# A4420716 This is one of the closest properties to the beach without having the direct beachfront price on a street of multimillion dollar properties. This immaculate pool home features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 Bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms along with the lower level bonus area for generational living or guests. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 ACROSS FROM PUBLIC BEACH: $685,000 1001 Beach Road, Siesta Key, FL., MLS# A4426862 Enjoy views of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and Siesta Key canals from the 6th floor of your two large terraces as well as the downtown Sarasota lights. Generous square footage for a beach condo and both bedrooms are of generous size. This unit is offered turnkey furnished & tastefully renovated. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

• Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free CANAL FRONT HOME: $999,000 service on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. 5157 Sandy Shore Ave, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4427877 Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200. On a quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” street. Split plan • Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I 4 bedroom & 3 bath 2,493 square foot home with recently or taxi. Call 941-735-4732 updated kitchen & bath. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane

www.SheSellsSiestaKeySarasota.com

RESTAURANTS

$875,000. 322 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4199085 Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master BR and master BA. This house boasts a new boat lift on the Grand Canal. Privacy abounds with a lovely tropical view across the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

Impact windows and sliders for added storm security. You will love lounging around the large pool on this oversized lot (14,352 SF) and dock with lift on the wide canal with easy access to world class boating & fishing. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

SARA SANDS - Outdoor living at its best-located at the end of a canal with a great water view, dock with lift, Tiki hut, beautiful pool, outdoor fireplace, a huge screened lanai. 3/2 remodeled and furnished ranch home at the north end of Siesta Key. Easy bike to the Village and Beach. RV parking. If you enjoy entertaining, this is the one! MLS# A4415047, $1,099,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. THE POINTE - Penthouse! 1/1 at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. Incredible 270 degree views of the Gulf and Bay. Large lanai. Plentiful storage in the unit and on the first floor. Convenient underbuilding parking. Gated community with boat docks, kayak racks and dock, tennis, pool, spa, sauna, beautiful clubhouse, island gazebo with grilling, and more. MLS# A4401699, $349,999. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. THE POINTE - Renovated 2/2 penthouse with magnificent views. North to downtown Sarasota and South to Casey Key. See beautiful Neville Preserve and Little Sarasota Bay to the East and the Gulf of Mexico with Siesta’s amazing sunsets to the West. Underbuilding parking. Sold furnished. MLS# A4406101, $520,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

Place your classified ad here for $6. (15 words) and $.10 for each additional word. Copy must be submitted with payment on or before the 15th of the month prior to publication. For display ads, please call 941-349-0194 for rates.

THE POINTE - Beautifully renovated and furnished move right in to this lovely 5th floor 2 bedroom 2 bath unit with incredible 270 degree views. Tile throughout. New kitchen and contemporary baths, trey ceilings and recessed lighting, Southern end of Siesta. Walk to Turtle Beach and three restaurants. Gated community with every amenity. MLS# 4427052. $565,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. Continued on page 46

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

941.349.0194

HOMES FOR SALE SARASOTA BEACH - Live your vacation in this stunning 4 bedroom 3.5 bath property with boat dock and 10 lift. Walking distance to Siesta Beach and Village and a quick boat ride to the Gulf. Totally and exquisitely renovated. Wrap-around porches on two levels. Pool in fenced back yard. RV parking. MLS# A4418533, $1,299,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Easy walking distance to Siesta Beach with a private deeded boat dock with lift and water views! Two bedroom, two bath with large glassed lanai overlooking marina. One car garage with attic storage. Gated community on a deep-water marina. Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickleball, clubhouse. MLS# A4422616, $569,000.00 Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186.

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 45

PASS RD, #307, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS#A4410196, $725,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255. ENJOY STUNNING SUNRISES AND SUNSETS from this lovely two bedroom, two bath PENTHOUSE condo at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. If you seek incomparable views look no further - wake to aweinspiring sunrises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. 9393 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #P2, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4406101, $569,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255. GORGEOUS WATER VIEWS Deeded BOAT SLIP (boat up to 45’ length) come with this TURNKEY FURNISHED 3/3 townhouse that shows like a model

home. This rarely available unit features TWO FULL MASTER SUITES, loft/media area, and oversized guest bedroom the list goes on. 1215 DOCKSIDE PL, #204, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS#A4215997, $899,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255. YEAR ROUND SUNSETS! This 10th-floor unit is perfectly positioned to enjoy gorgeous beachfront views! A very spacious, light, bright, clean and cared-for condo with a split floor plan and walk-in closets. The hurricane impact sliding doors (replaced 2018) lead from the living room and bedrooms to the huge screened lanai. Furniture is negotiable. 6300 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #1009, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4425862, $1,030,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255

SOMERSET COVE - Minutes to Siesta Beach and Village. 2757 square feet of luxury. 4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths with den, bonus space, elevator, 2 car garage. Deeded 35’ dock with 20k lift. Gated community with resort pool. MLS # A4425546 $849,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941400-4186. SIESTA COVE - Stunning enclave just minutes to Siesta Beach & Village. Totally and beautifully renovated 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath with 2 car garage. Amazing outdoor living with multiple balconies, decks and patio. Fenced. Huge lawn for play or pool. MLS #A4426343 $749,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. TRULY FABULOUS 2/2 WITH PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS. Completely renovated TOP FLOOR END UNIT with exquisite finishes and furnishings the unit is being sold, turnkey. The open floor plan with SOARING CEILINGS features a huge living room with views of the ICW and Bay. This is truly a must-see. 6285 MIDNIGHT

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

rinerWord Search

Answers to the WORD SEARCH found on page 37 www.TheMariner.com

from

e m hes

To advertise in print or online contact: Bob or Emy Stein at 941.349.0194 Send editorial and/or photos via email to: islandvp@verizon.net

Looking for Siesta Sand off-island? Pick up a copy at the following locations:

4&20 Pasty Co.......................................................................................5638 Swift Rd. A’s Sandwich...........................................................................6300 S. Tamiami Trail Abel’s Ice Cream: Southbridge Plaza................................... 1886 Stickney Pt. Rd. Alpine Steak House................................................................4520 S. Tamiami Trail Best Western Plus....................................................................6600 S. Tamiami Trail Casey Key Fish House................................................801 Blackburn Point, Osprey Corkscrew Deli: Landings Shopping Plaza * ...................4982 S. Tamiami Trail Culver’s.....................................................................................7520 S. Tamiami Trail Dutch Valley Restaurant.......................................................6721 S. Tamiami Trail Eager Beaver Carwash *.........................................................6449 S. Tamiami Trail Economy Tackle *....................................................................6018 S. Tamiami Trail Fresh Catch Market & Grill: Buccaneer Plaza...................7119 S. Tamiami Trail Gecko’s Restaurant.................................................................6606 S. Tamiami Trail Grasshopper Mexican Restaurant & Bar............................7253 S. Tamiami Trail Gulf Gate Food + Beer............................................................... 6528 Superior Ave. Hibiscus Suites.....................................................................1735 Stickney Point Rd. Hooters.......................................................................................6507 S Tamiami Trail McDonalds................................................................................6347 S Tamiami Trail Philadelphia Cheesesteaks....................................................7523 S. Tamiami Trail Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar....................................................5353 S. Tamiami Trail Plaza Mexico Restaurant: Southbridge Plaza.................1894 Stickney Point Rd. Pride of the South Restaurant/GG........................................... 6616 Superior Ave. Rico’s Pizzeria & Pasta House............................................................. 1902 Bay Rd. Sarasota Brewing /GG................................................................ 6607 Gateway Ave. Solorzano’s Pizza /GG................................................................ 6670 Superior Ave. Special Nutrition Store: Southbridge Plaza........................ 1882 Stickney Pt. Rd. The Oaks Open Pit BBQ........................................................6112 S. Tamiami Trail The Shop SRQ/GG..................................................................... 6625 Gateway Ave. Tony’s Chicago Dogs/GG.......................................................... 6569 Superior Ave. Word of Mouth/GG.................................................................... 6604 Gateway Ave. Interested in Distributing our Publication? Call 941-349-0194 NOTE: * Denotes availability first week of each month only.

Published by Island Visitor Publishing, LLC Contributing Writers and Photographers will be noted with bylines. Guest commentary not necessarily the opinion of island Visitor Publishing, LLC Reproduction without written permission prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. All business bios are extensions of the display advertisements. Island Visitor Publishing, LLC is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. All ads are subject to the approval of the publisher. It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in Siesta Sand to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town, county and state codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property. DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that when you hire an unlicensed/uninsured person to do work at your home, you accept the liability. Island Visitor Publishing is not responsible for claims made by advertisers.

P.O. BOX 35086, SIESTA KEY, FL 34242 www.siestasand.net

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APRIL 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Another spectacular Siesta Sunset. Photo by Donnarose Melvin

Siesta Sand

APRIL 2019

941.349.0194

Island Girl This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island Girl is Tyler modeling Floridita Swimwear. Tyler is a kind, compassionate, and ambitious woman. Between working three jobs, she finds time to help raise funds for causes that are close to her heart. She enjoys scuba diving, reading, and participating in outdoor activities.

Tyler Floridita Swimwear by Sarasota resident Charlotte Marin. You can see some of the swimwear line at Califlorida in Siesta Key Village, 5221 Ocean Blvd. or go online to view the entire line, www.floriditaswimwear.com