Why the world comes to Sarasota
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KATHY JUDKINS
LOBSTER POT
If you love lobster New England style and fresh local seafood, this is one restaurant you simply must try.... Read more on page 12
Sharon Cunningham Visitor Center Volunteer of the Year award recipient... SK Chamber awards on page 12
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FEBRUARY 2015 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
Siesta Key Round-Up By Debbie Flessner and Bob Stein St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
Pastor Msgr. Joseph Stearns announced his retirement. His official retirement is March 1st 2015. On Sunday, February 22nd, the 10:30 AM Mass will be in his honor. He has been the Pastor for the past seven years. Siesta Sand would like to thank Msgr. Joe for his service to our island community and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Wild times after the Drum Circle, going native
Sgt. Osborne reported at the Siesta Key Associations January meetings that after the Siesta Key Drum Circle ends a large group of young adults, over 400 gather at the Siesta Key Pavilion. These are Rave Parties with glow sticks taking over the Pavilion with DJ stands being setup. The Sheriffs do turn off the electric but the attendees are now bringing generators, which are not illegal. Recently over 75 went up onto the balcony deck and partied. Young women danced and stripped naked and jumped from the balcony into carts to the cheering crowd. According to Sgt. Osborne, this incident was videotaped and cell phone photos taken. So just remember: what happens on Siesta Key doesn’t necessarily mean it stays on the Key. Continued on page 4
Beach Road mediation case could impact some coastal properties By Roger Drouin The 7,429 square foot property at 162 Beach Road has become famous— at least among nearby neighbors. That’s because two separate owners of the parcel have tried on four different occasions to build a residential structure in recent years, and were subsequently turned down by the County Commission each time. The property, and an adjacent parcel, are located water-ward of the Coastal Setback Line, and have historically flooded during past decades— intermittently changing from gulffront land into part of the Gulf of Mexico.
Now 162 Beach Road is at a center of a special-magistrate-mediated effort between the county and the current property owners, Ronald and Sania Allen, who have appealed the last rejection of their request for a Coastal Setback Variance. Residents in the Village say the outcome of the mediation could impact their properties—and could have a wider effect across Siesta. “It’s a big issue for the Key,” said Peter van Roekens, who lives in the Terrace East condominiums next to 162 Beach Road. Continued on page 27
The Shoe Store of Siesta Key Comfort Shoes is the only shoe store on Siesta Key. Formally known as Rick’s Birkenstock, this family-run business opened its doors in 1978. In 2008, Rick Lizotte came into the picture. Originally from a little town in Massachusetts, he had lived the life of a successful businessman. When he realized that Rick’s Birkenstock was on the market, he felt the hand of Providence! Originally from a tiny town in Massachusetts, Rick Lizotte had grown up on a street that had only 20 houses. He went to Massachusetts State College where he studied to be a teacher, then immediately sidestepped this teaching career by going into the business world. For the next 25 years he worked for a wholesale manufacturer of shoes, and traveled much of the country calling on stores both big and small, many of them
large chains. Says Rick, “It was the 70’s, and we still had shoe factories in this country. Back then, shoes were 98% domestic and 2% foreign. Today that statistic is reversed.”
By Diana Colson
Rick Lizotte and his family settled on Siesta Key 29 years ago, and he commuted around the USA as needed for his various business operations.
New Direction for SCAT
Sarasota County Area Transit’s (SCAT) new Director, Rocky A. Burke of Lexington Kentucky, joined SCAT on December 29, 2014. Rocky has more than 15 years of leadership and management experience within the public transit industry. He is also a retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Air Force with more than 28 years of service.
Continued on page 21
LOCAL MAPS & INFORMATION
Continued on page 34
See Page 19
Abel’s Ice Cream Adds Flavors At the request of many customers, Salty Caramel Peanut (salty caramel ice cream with a salty caramel weave and salty roasted peanuts) was added to their 38 flavor selection. The Abel’s said they have had numerous requests for this popular ice cream flavor. After the first week this flavor was added, the Abel’s are very happy they listened to their customers. Salty Caramel Peanut is sure to become one of the most popular flavors they offer. Additional flavors added for this season are Maple Walnut and Strawberry Cheese Cake. If you are looking for real handmade chocolates for your Valentine’s Day sweetheart, consider shopping at Abel’s Ice Cream. They offer the Sweet Shop USA brand of quality handmade chocolate truffles in a variety of flavors. Sweet Shop USA has developed recipes for
WHO’S PLAYING TONIGHT Page 24
a velvet-soft center without the course, grainy mouth feel. The centers are made of chocolate liquor, real butter and fresh whipping cream. Each center is hand- formed and hand dipped in coatings of chocolate then personally signed or decorated by the dipper to identify the piece. Quality chocolates should accomplish certain requirements when tasted: 1) it should break down immediately 2) there should not be a waxy or grainy feel on the roof of your mouth and 3) when you are finished with a piece, the taste in your mouth should not change. Abel’s Ice Cream displays their chocolates in a humidity controlled refrigerated cabinet as recommended by Sweet Shop USA to insure freshness. Learn more about us at WWW.ABELSICECREAM.COM
ISLAND FISH MONGER Page 23
SIESTA KEY ARTIST, JAN METZKER, Page 26
MEET THE BARTENDER AT BOB’S BOATHOUSE Page 25