IV Siesta Sand - June 2019 by Brion Palmer

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SIESTA PROMENADE Sample Earthmoving permit application for Siesta Promenade site under review by county staff

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PIZZA NEWS

What Ever Happened to the Fishing Around Siesta Key? By Philip M. Farrell, MD, PhD Prior to the 21st Century, Sarasota Bay and the Gulf waters around Siesta Key were incredibly productive fishing grounds for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. As an estuary where fresh river/stream water mixed well with Gulf saltwater in an ideal habitat, Sarasota Bay was abundant in every species of fish and shellfish hungry people would want to eat. The mangroves were an important part of the ecology, as were the tidal inlets when the barrier islands like Siesta Key began to form about 3000 years ago. Thus, the area became a destination for commercial and sport fisherman as the hotels advertised with enticing photographs. All of this has changed during the past quarter-century— primarily as a result of destructive human behavior.

Early Fishermen Thrived Get one free slice of pizza a day—for life

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CASEY KEY County Commission approves 760-foot-long seawall on Casey Key

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DUTCH VALLEY

Fernando Piney marks 20 years at Dutch Valley

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SIESTA SOUNDS

Meet this month’s featured musician Paul Crotty

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SAND CASTLES

Harbour Towne Yacht Club: A boater’s oasis with a home-like feel page

The first Floridians, the native Americans arriving 14,500 years ago, were hunter-gatherers who learned how to fish with bone hooks, spears, and nets woven with palm leaf fibers. By the time they migrated to the southwest Gulf coast, the tribes thrived on saltwater and freshwater food supplies. Continued on page 30

Big Pass lawsuit

A five-hour catch of huge fish by Higelhurst Hotel guests from Tennessee during 1915. Note the size of the hammerhead shark on the left and the third tarpon from the right that was attacked by another fish while on the hook.

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Siesta Key Association makes formal requests for multiple materials from City of Sarasota as it prepares for July hearing In preparation for a day-long Circuit Court hearing set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, the Siesta Key Association (SKA) has sent a letter and a legal notice to the City of Sarasota, seeking an abundance of materials. The evidentiary hearing this summer will provide the SKA an opportunity make its case that the City of Sarasota has failed to adhere to applicable city and county regulations as the city seeks to remove sand from Big Sarasota Pass to renourish 1.56 miles of South Lido Key Beach. The July hearing date was chosen as a result of an April 23 status conference, which followed 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh’s April 18 denial of the City of Sarasota’s motion to dismiss

North Beach Road

the case the SKA originally filed in March 2017. The court appearance record for the April 23 status conference noted, “Parties to work together to conduct limited discovery on the issues outlined in the judge’s April 18 order for evidentiary hearing and to stipulate to as many facts and exhibits as possible prior to hearing.” The SKA has contended from the outset of the case that, as the City of Sarasota has pursued the dredging of up to 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from Big Pass, the city has not adhered to a policy in its own comprehensive plan or — as also required by city regulations — to a policy in the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan. Continued on page 15

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

County’s claim that two Charter amendments approved last fall, relating to 2016 North Beach Road vacation, can proceed in court, judge rules Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh has rebuffed an attempt by an attorney for a Siesta Key resident and nonprofit organization to force Sarasota County into dropping efforts to have two Sarasota County Charter amendments ruled unconstitutional. Both amendments won voter approval during the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election. One calls for the county to rescind the County Commission’s split decision in May 2016 to vacate a 373-foot-long segment of North Beach Road and reacquire the public right of way. That amendment won support of 65.07% of the voters who cast ballots last fall. The other amendment calls for the preservation of county-owned parks, preserves, beach and water access, and waterfront vistas. That amendment won

with 72.7% of voter support. An attorney for Siesta resident Michael Cosentino and the nonprofit organization Cosentino founded in late June 2016 — Reopen Beach Road — had filed a motion seeking dismissal of the county’s claim that the Charter amendments are invalid because of their alleged contravention of state law. McHugh wrote in a May 10 order that a motion to dismiss a complaint tests whether that complaint is legally sufficient in stating a cause of action. Such a motion does “not determine ultimate issues of fact,” she added. McHugh conducted an April 29 hearing on the arguments involving the Cosentino/Reopen Beach Road motion. Continued on page 37

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Earthmoving permit application for Siesta Promenade site under Rachel Brown Hackney review by county staff By SarasotaNewsLeader.com An earthmoving permit application involving the site of the proposed Siesta Promenade project remained under county staff review as this issue of Siesta Sand went to press. Formally filed on May 1, the application from Siesta 41 Associates LLP, an affiliate of Benderson Development Co., had notations of insufficiencies as of mid-May in regard to the required Tree Protection Review, the History Center Review and the Air & Water Quality Review, the county’s Permitting Division records showed. Further, the Stormwater Division and Environmental Specialist reviews remained open as of the afternoon of May 15. The Permitting records noted that the purpose of the work would be to clear the property on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road, where the mixed-development project would stand. On Dec. 12, 2018, the County Commission approved the Siesta Promenade proposal on split votes. Both Commissioners Nancy Detert and Charles Hines opposed the requested rezoning, which will allow Benderson to construct 414 condominiums/apartments, a 130-room hotel and 140,000 square feet of retail and office space. The application said impervious structures and septic tanks would be removed from the approximately 24 acres, where a mobile home park stood for decades. One county staff stipulation noted that Siesta 41 Associates also would have to obtain a permit from the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County “prior to any septic abandonment” and that the work must be “conducted by or under the direct supervision of a Florida Licensed Septic Contractor or Licensed Master Plumber.” That stipulation was added by Matthew Miller of the Health Department staff, the notation says. In regard to the Tree Protection Review, county staff member Darren Semones wrote on May 8, “Removal of pads and roads can occur without the need for tree removal.” That information underscored comments Semones made in an April 24 letter to Siesta 41 Associates’ representative, Clint Cuffle of Water Resource Associates (WRA) in University Park, as a follow-up to discussion that was part of the county’s April 18 Development Review Committee (DRC) meeting. Cuffle appeared at that DRC session to discuss how Siesta 41 Associates could best proceed with the site clearing. In fashion similar to Semones’ notation in the Permitting records, County Archaeologist Steven Koski reprised statements in the April 24 letter in his comments. He pointed out that the demolition plan must include information about the preservation of the Pine Shores Clubhouse chimney, “so the demolition contractor is aware there is an avoidance area

around the chimney until it is relocated.” John McCarthy, former director of what was then the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, explained that the clubhouse was constructed of logs, making it an unusual building in the county. A fire destroyed the clubhouse, he said, but the chimney was saved. Koski added in his notation, “The relocation plan for the chimney and methodology must be submitted to Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) and Historical Resources (HR) for review and approved prior to proceeding with the move; coordinated with the point persons with PRNR and HR.” Koski also pointed out that costs incurred under the mitigation plan would be the responsibility of Benderson Development or Siesta 41 Associates.

Ongoing litigation Litigation begun in early January in an effort to halt the construction of Siesta Promenade was a topic of discussion during the May 2 meeting of the Siesta Key Association (SKA). President Catherine Luckner welcomed as a special guest Ralf Brookes of Cape Coral, who is handling the Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed on Jan. 11 on behalf of Sura Kochman, a resident of Pine Shores Estates, which would be the closest neighbor of Siesta Promenade. Typically, Brookes explained, construction of a project will not begin until after litigation has been completed. After reviewing some of the facets of the legal case, Brookes told the approximately 60 audience members that he would imagine oral arguments would be set for either late summer or early fall — the August/September/October timeframe. It could be the winter, Brookes added, before the hearing is conducted, as “the courts are very, very busy.” Still, he pointed out, the Siesta Promenade case has such a high profile, he anticipates the judge will opt for an earlier schedule rather than a later one. It appears the case may be heading on a longer track, after all. On May 16, exactly two weeks after Brookes made his comments to the SKA audience, the attorney for Benderson and Siesta 41 Associates filed a motion with the court, saying that the two companies, the county and Brookes had agreed on an extension to June 24 for Siesta 41 Associates, Benderson and the county to file their responses to Kochman’s petition. The responses had been due by May 17. Generally, when all parties are in agreement, the presiding judge will grant such a motion.

During the SKA meeting, Brookes also addressed the earthmoving application, saying he attended the April 18 DRC meeting, when that process was proposed to Cuffle of WRA. An earthmoving application, Brookes pointed out, normally is submitted by someone working on a farm or in some type of agriculture-related business. He does not believe such an application is appropriate for the clearing of the Siesta Promenade property, he added. Questions also have been raised about the person who serves as facilitator of the DRC meetings, Robert “Bob” Schmitt of Land Planning Associates of Lakewood Ranch. Brookes indicated that Schmitt was the one who proposed the earthmoving application idea. Land Planning Associates’ website says the firm “is proud to represent landowners and developers with assistance in obtaining approvals of anything relative to land use permitting. ... Most work is related to rezones and other conditional land use approvals in Manatee County, Florida.” The website notes that Schmitt worked in Manatee and Sarasota counties for more than 30 years, most recently as Manatee’s zoning official. In response to questions, Matt Osterhoudt, director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, said that Schmitt, who works for a temporary employment firm called Ad-Vance has been facilitator of the DRC meetings “for some time.” Osterhoudt stressed that Schmitt’s firm does not work in Sarasota County.

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Staff Report

New master pump station gets ‘shout-out’ The decommissioning of the Siesta Key Wastewater Treatment Plant was one of the highlights the chair of the county’s Water and Sewer Advisory Committee noted on April 24 during the presentation of his group’s 2018 fiscal year report to the County Commission. The written version of the fiscal year recap noted that the plant — adjacent to the Siesta Isles community — was taken off-line in May 2018. “The 1.5 million gallons of daily flow is now diverted and pumped through a pipeline to the Central County or Bee Ridge Treatment Facilities — depending on available capacities,” the report added. During his April 24 comments to the commission, Chris Sharek stressed, “That was really important.” The plant had had a series of spills over the years related to heavy rainfall events, especially when hurricanes were passing through the area. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee members took a tour of the new facility, Sharek continued on April 24, adding that the plant was transformed into a master pump station. He noted that a number of redundancies were built into the project, to ensure the station would continue to operate in an emergency such as a power outage associated with a storm. “We were really impressed with that.” Further, he told the commissioners, one of the tanks used during the operation of the wastewater treatment facility was converted to be able to hold sewage if necessary to prevent a spill.

Siesta Key Association (SKA) Environmental Committee member Robert Luckner kept that nonprofit’s members updated on the process of the conversion of the facility as it took place. The SKA also hosted county staff for two presentations about the project. On a side note: Sharek told the commissioners that his committee had lost members because of term limits and people moving out of the county. New people are coming on board, he added, but openings remain available.” The committee is supposed to have nine at-large members and one representative of the Students Taking Active Roles (STAR) program, according to its county webpage. Membership is limited to four three-year terms, the document noted, except for the student, who can serve only one year. The purpose of the committee, the webpage explains, is to “assist the County Commission in the promulgation of rules, regulations, and policies relating to water and sewer, and provide recommendations.” The group meets bimonthly. For more information, people may call the county Contact Center at 861-5000.

Fandango still standing, but perhaps not for long In early May, we learned about an extension of a Sarasota County permit that would allow Dr. Gary Kompothecras to demolish the former Fandango Café building standing at 1266 Old Stickney Point Road. Continued on page 13

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Letters to the editor

• • • •

Last month Siesta Sand commented on the need for restrooms in Siesta Key Village for Season. Below is a summarized recap of the commentary with two emails received from readers.

for a variance, but I have not investigated this specific issue with FEMA. Of course, during an approaching hurricane, the facility would have to be locked before impact to prevent even temporary use of the restroom. Just a common sense idea which I think appropriate legal counsel could pursue with FEMA.

Needs, Public Restrooms The 2019 Season is in the books. There is a major need that should be addressed by Sarasota County for 2020: public restrooms in Siesta Key Village. The number one question posed to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce volunteers is: “Are there public restrooms” according to An n F r e s c u r a , E x e c u t i v e Director. Frescura went on to say, “The sign hanging in front of the chamber’s office says, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Visitors assume when they see the Visitors Center sign, there are public restrooms.” Robin Hood Rentals is one of the first businesses visitors pass entering the Village. The owner Mark Toomey said, “When beach goers enter the Village from Beach Access 5, many are looking for a bathroom, I get at least 100 requests a day in Season.” One business after another will repeat the same story over and over again. Many of the businesses in the Village have signs on the doors, “No Public Restrooms.”

Possible solution In Season and during major events and holidays, the county places a RESTROOM trailer on the Siesta Public Beach parking lot. Could this be the solution for the Village from January to Easter? The question would be where to place a trailer? No one wants to lose parking spots, but one could be placed in the Municipal Parking Lot. It is close to all the businesses yet out of

sight. I can hear the answer already from the county, “Bathrooms are on the wish list. … Right now, there is no identified funding source for that.” If anyone has an idea to solve this problem please email your solution to Islandvp@verizon.net

Letter to the editor: To whomever this concerns... I am responding to your request for suggestions.. Your article in the Siesta Sand mentioned the possibility of using a trailer, or constructing an elevated structure meeting flood elevation standards.. Being a broker and professional appraiser with over 25 year experience, and having a degree in real estate from UF, I think I have an experienced and common sense suggestion... I do not think it would be necessary to elevate a public restroom facility above the base flood elevation... Base flood elevations set the elevations of the first floor of LIVING AREA, stating that the first floor of LIVING AREA must be above the base flood elevation... Garages, storage rooms, and other non-living area spaces can be located below the first floor of living area... Would not a public restroom be a nonliving area, not used for full time residential occupancy? I think so. The public restroom would not be occupied any longer than the time it would take to park a car in a garage located below the base flood elevation, or put something in or take it out of the storage room. FEMA regulations should either allow this use, or allow

Mark Traugott Real Estate Broker and Appraiser Broker # BK 119888 State Certified General Appraiser # RZ 2443 Phone: 941.323.5383 Email: mark.traugott@gmail.com Web: www.marktraugott.com

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Letter to the editor Just read the article about needs for a public restroom for Siesta Key Village- What about turning the old UPS store into restrooms? Power and water is already there and it’s close to access 5. Sincerely Lorraine Stanford

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Happiness Is… The Joy of Summer Check out any list of the best things about summer and there are a few things you’re sure to find like beach time, hammocks, and ice cream. It’s a proven fact that there’s never a better time to indulge your sweet tooth! That’s why at Abel’s Ice Cream, owner Jerry Williams brings in some of the best seasonal fresh fruit ice cream flavors that are the perfect tastes of summer and a fantastic way to beat the heat. Two of their summer favorites are Cherry Oblivion (Creamy Black Cherry ice cream loaded with black cherries and luscious liquid chocolate chips) and Peach (Delicious Peach ice cream is loaded with peaches and would make a Southerner proud). Can’t you just taste summer now? For many people including Jerry, summer just wouldn’t be summer without baseball. With the season in full swing, he had a chance to enjoy a recent game with his mom and sister. “This wasn’t just any game,” he said. “My sister and I got to go with our Mom to her very first live MLB baseball game. It was a great time and will always be a cherished memory.” What’s your favorite part of summer? Vacations? Long lazy days? Thunderstorms? Stop by Abel’s Ice Cream soon and let them know. And don’t forget to treat Dad to his favorite flavor this Father’s Day. There’s nothing better than spending a little quality time together over a cup or cone of something sweet and delicious!

Jerry Williams, his mom, and his sister enjoy an evening with the boys of summer in Tampa

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

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County commissioners indicate willingness to issue bonds to pay for Rachel Brown Hackney improvements to water quality systems countywide By SarasotaNewsLeader.com Given the strong fiscal health of Sarasota County, the majority of the county commissioners expressed a willingness to borrow money to put the county’s water quality programs on equally firm footing. After a comprehensive staff presentation on what has been done and what could be done to reduce the nutrient load going into the county’s waterways — and, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico — Commissioners Michael Moran and Christian Ziegler indicated a preference for upgrading the county’s three wastewater treatment plants to advanced treatment facilities (AWWTF) at an expense estimated between $70 million and $90 million. The goal would be to reduce the total nitrogen discharge to 3 milligrams (mg) per liter, or less, from the Bee Ridge, Central County and Venice Gardens facilities, Mike Mylett, interim director of the county’s Public Utilities Department, told the board members on May 8. The total nitrogen load for the Bee Ridge facility is 14 mg per liter; for the Central County plant, 9; and for Venice Gardens, 14, according to a slide Mylett showed the commissioners. A note on that slide said that 2 mg per day is removed from the overall nitrogen load produced by each facility, thanks to deep well injections. Altogether, the three county wastewater treatment plants, along with facilities in the City of Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Englewood — plus 35 private operations — produce about 624,000 pounds of nitrogen a year, Mylett pointed out, although not all of that goes directly to the bays. (Only the City of Sarasota facility is an AWWTF, according to a chart Mylett showed the board. That initiative cost the city $80 million, he said.) With the improvements to the county’s three wastewater treatment plants, the slide noted, the total nitrogen load could be reduced to about 298,000 pounds a year. Red tide research has shown that nitrogen is the primary feeder for the algae that produces the blooms, Karenia brevis. All of the commissioners talked of the fact that this would be an opportune time for them to pursue the borrowing of money for major projects. Altogether, staff said on May 8, a variety of proposals — including the elimination of more septic tanks and improvements to stormwater systems — would cost about $310 million. Extra annual operating expenses — an estimated $20 million — would be necessary, as well. “To me, after hearing all this,” Commissioner Moran began, “I feel that all roads lead back to us moving our community to advanced wastewater treatment.” That conversion, he continued, would lead to the biggest return

on investment for the taxpayers. Referencing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report presentation the board heard on May 7 — provided by the Office of the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller — Moran added, “Our debt ratios are incredibly fiscally conservative, and the county’s bond ratings are excellent. … Our interest rates are at historic lows. … I want the true solution to this,” he told Chuck Walter, manager of the county’s Stormwater Division, “and then we make the difficult decisions.” “I think Commissioner Moran is right,” Commissioner Ziegler said, adding that he would like for staff to come back to the board with funding options that would lead to the greatest positive results. Commissioner Alan Maio further pointed to the community pressure on the board to try to prevent a recurrence of the economic devastation of red tide last year, noting “the bludgeoning” businesses took. As Spencer Anderson, director of the county’s Public Works Department, put it at the outset of the presentation, the red tide bloom that worsened in early August 2018 and persisted for several more months “was crippling, to say the least,” to the county’s economy. Commissioner Nancy Detert asked staff members for detailed cost estimates — including the potential expenses to homeowners of specific proposals — and information about sources of revenue. “I think we need to put our plan into effect while we can still borrow really cheap.” In response to a question from Detert, Walter said that over the past six or seven years, the county has received about $50 million from various sources for water quality initiatives. The board members further concurred that they will need to make decisions about exactly how they want to proceed as they hold discussions in June during their workshops on the 2020 fiscal year budget. On May 8, Chair Charles Hines emphasized that the commissioners must make sure the members of the public understand that they can expect higher costs pegged to new county initiatives. One funding option that Walter, manager of the Stormwater Division, proposed is a county assessment on property owners, with the revenue dedicated to improved water quality. Staff would like to explore that, Walter said. If the county had funds from such an assessment, he explained, “Then we would have a significant bonding component right up front.” Walter meant that the county could pledge the revenue from the assessments to debt service for bonds.

The seagrass issue During his part of the presentation, Walter also cautioned the board members that if they do not pursue measures to improve the quality of water in the bays — in the face of demonstrated seagrass loss — then it is likely they will have to contend with state and federal regulatory action dictating the steps they must take to achieve specific goals. A slide Walter showed the board said that from 2016 to 2018, Lemon Bay lost 319 acres of seagrass; Little Sarasota Bay, 196

acres; Sarasota Bay, 149; Blackburn Bay, 95; and Roberts Bay, 12 acres. Those estimates came from the Southwest Florida Water Management District on March 27, the slide noted. Only Dona Bay has seen an increase in seagrass acreage, thanks to county initiatives over the past years to improve its water quality, staff has explained. Commissioner Detert talked of her desire for the commission to act on its own before such regulatory oversight might become necessary.

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Series of hurricanes in 2017 has resulted in new state admonition that people should be able to take care of themselves for a week, Rachel Brown Hackney not 72 hours, after hurricane hits By SarasotaNewsLeader.com In the past, Sarasota County’s emergency management chief told Siesta Key Association (SKA) members on May 2, he used to advise people to be prepared to be on their own for the first 72 hours after a natural disaster occurs, such as a hurricane strike. However, Ed McCrane continued, 2017’s series of storms has led to the necessity of changing that guideline. With Hurricanes Harvey and then Irma and then Maria devastating so many different areas — and other natural disasters, such as California’s wildfires, having become more frequent — Florida Emergency Management leaders have made it known, McCrane said, that people should have enough supplies set aside to manage on their own for a full week. “FEMA is only so big,” he added, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. McCrane also had new slides in his presentation to underscore the need for people to evacuate if a hurricane is coming and they live in an area vulnerable to storm surge. Early this year, he said, he took what he called the “scenic route” as he traveled through the Panhandle to get a firsthand look at the devastation Hurricane Michael wrought last fall. The storm was a Category 5 when it made landfall near Mexico Beach, new data show. Michael’s storm surge was 18 feet, McCrane pointed out. Hurricane Katrina of 2005 holds the record, he added: 34 feet. Michael started out as a tropical depression, he explained. In 12 hours, it strengthened from a Category 1 to a Category 3, he said; then, within 72 hours, it was a Category 5 — the highest level for a hurricane. Because of the width of the Continental Shelf in proximity to Florida, he continued, 18 to 20 feet probably would be the maximum storm surge, or storm tide, that any part of the Sarasota County shoreline ever would see. “We expected 6 to 10 feet of storm tide with Irma,” he pointed out. Yet, after that storm came ashore at Marco Island in September 2017, McCrane noted, it headed east. “We only got Category 1 winds, at that.” Audience members gasped when McCrane clicked through slides showing the Panhandle after Michael’s 2018 hit. As he drove through the affected area in February, he said,

he saw “no gas stations, no restaurants, no ‘Mom and Pop’ stores” that remained open. “Everything was destroyed.”

Dangers of storm surge All of Siesta Key is in what county staff has designated Level A, McCrane explained. That comprises the areas most vulnerable to storm surge. In the aftermath of Irma, he continued, an in-depth review of county procedures led to 93 recommendations for changes. Staff has completed about 85% of those, McCrane said. One of the most important, he indicated, was a switch to the use of “flood levels” instead of “flood zones.” He and his staff found out after Irma, McCrane noted, that even though all mobile home park residents should evacuate in advance of a potential hurricane strike, some county residents learned that even though they lived in such housing, they were in zones considered far less likely to flood. Thus, they did not leave their homes. If a person is uncertain about the evacuation level in which that person lives, McCrane explained, the person can go to the county website — www.scgov.net — and click on the part of the bar at the top of the page that says, “I want to…” The screen that comes up, he noted, has another list of headings. One of those is “Find.” By scrolling down, the person will see “My Evacuation Level.” After clicking on that link, the person can enter his or her address and then find out the level. One audience member pointed out to McCrane that many newer condominium buildings on the Key appear to be strong enough to withstand a major hurricane. Why, then, the man asked, should residents in such buildings evacuate? If a person lives on an upper floor, McCrane responded, the person will experience higher winds at that altitude than if the person were closer to the ground, and those winds could break windows. Additionally, McCrane said, “Storm surge has a way of eroding and undermining structures. Your building will be surrounded by water.” If the person were to suffer a medical emergency, McCrane added, no one would be able to respond. Furthermore, he said, the building likely would not have air conditioning after the storm or even water to flush the toilets, based on the design of water systems in most high-

rise structures. The elevators also would not work. “It’s not a safe place to be,” McCrane summed up the situation. “You put first responders in harm’s way when you stay.” The bridges to Siesta also could be damaged, McCrane pointed out. One of his slides illustrated major damage to the ramp leading to a bridge on the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of a hurricane this century. McCrane also noted that he had talked with people who did not evacuate in advance of storms, after they had been advised to do so. Following their experiences with the hurricanes, they told him they never again would stay in place, he added. In fact, McCrane said, as he was driving along the beach in Pensacola in February, a man ran out of a crumbling building toward McCrane’s four-wheel-drive SUV. “He rode out Michael with his two dogs,” McCrane noted. “He said he’d never do that again.” Still, McCrane continued, if someone feels it absolutely necessary to shelter at home after being urged to evacuate, the person should let Sarasota County Emergency Management know. (In past presentations to SKA members about hurricane season, McCrane has indicated that such information assists first responders as they search for survivors in heavily damaged areas.)

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Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

Salute to all you Grilling Dads

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

All Roads Lead To…

5204 Ocean Blvd., in the Siesta Key Village

Smoking and joking! Mark and son Matt Rebhan, owners of Alpine Steakhouse and “Old-fashioned Butcher Shop” spend every day doing what fathers across the country do on Father’s Day. Salute to all you grilling dads.

Come in and select a great steak for the grill or enjoy the steak of your choice, cooked to your likings at the restaurant. Alpine Steakhouse has been named one of the Best Steakhouses by Sarasota Magazine Year after Year!

Make sure to pick up all your side dishes such as double baked potatoes ready for the grill or our homemade Italian sausages.

Alpine Steakhouse is located at 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. www.alpinesteak.com serving Sarasota since 1975, 941-922-3797. (Advertorial)

Whether you use the meteorological or astronomical definition to determine the start of summer, here in Florida, when the dew point hits upwards of 60 percent – we know summer has arrived. Made In Rome Organic Gelato (MIROG) is kicking off the summer (meteorological: June 1st / astronomical: June 21st) and Father’s Day (June 16th) with a combo kiwi and ginger flavor to honor all dads and offer a refreshing taste for the start of summer. Take the taste-test challenge The owners challenge you to try this flavor and let them know how it stacks up. Would you proudly serve this flavor to dad on his special day? Your vote will help determine if it gets added to the all-time favorite flavors list. Made In Rome Organic Gelato, made by real Romans, uses all certified USDA organic ingredients and offers sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. Although there are numerous shops around the U.S. selling gelato, you’d have to take a trip to Italy to find another gelateria where only organic ingredients are used exclusively, and a new batch, made from scratch, is created every 15 minutes. By using more milk than cream, no egg yolks, along with a slow-churn process, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance with the intense flavors and silky textures this low calorie option provides. Old family recipes that have been improved over the decades are in use and new flavors are developed every month. There are 45 flavors to choose from and the staff at Made In Rome Organic Gelato generously provide samples of their made from scratch, in-house gelato,

where a new flavor is produced every 15 minutes, and, as their name implies, all ingredients used are organic. No hydrogenated fats or colorants, or preservatives are ever used. Vegans rejoice Yes vegans, you can make this one of your go-to places because Made In Rome Organic Gelato is vegan friendly offering a selection of gelato, cones, shakes, and even a vegan affogato al caffe. Whether you choose vegan-friendly or not, the affogato al caffe; a double shot of espresso topped with a scoop of gelato…any flavor, continues to be a customer favorite. Says owner, Diane Theron-Cuna, “People go crazy for this!” What customers are saying One way to gauge the type of experience you can expect at any establishment is by customer feedback. The owners were especially appreciative of receiving 5 torches, Pine View’s highest rating, in an article featured in Pine View High’s school paper. Gaby, a student at Pine View High also works at Made In Rome Organic Gelato. She delighted the owners when she showed them the article in the paper. Said owner Diane Theron-Cuna, “We are honored that young students love our gelato.” Theron-Cuna and husband, Massimo enjoy showing off the method used to construct their gelato. They invite you to watch the process as they create a batch of their sinfully delicious gelato, then take their taste-test challenge. Made In Rome Organic Gelato is located at 5204 Ocean Blvd., in the Siesta Key Village. Their hours are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. (941) 960-5344. (Advertorial)

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JUNE 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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 20% 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 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,” says owner Vinny Pratap, “ ‘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. They also have a Flavors of India restaurant located in Cocoa Beach and Port Charlotte. (Advertorial)

Please be sure to mention this advert to receive 20% dinner discount.

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

Raining volleyballs on spectacular Siesta beach Six Hundred Twenty Pro, Amateur and Junior beach volleyball players participated in the “Dig The Beach Volleyball Series” tournament on spectacular Siesta Beach recently. The tournament involves a Pro Division, 8 Amateur Divisions, 3 Co-ed and 4 Junior Divisions. Thousands of dollars in prize money is awarded to top men’s and women’s Pro Division winners. AVP America, a national ranking system for the entire United States is a new sponsor of the tournament. National ranking points are now awarded to players in every division

Left: Kaeli Crews of Winter Garden sets up her partner for a spike in the Women’s Pro Open Division of the Dig the Beach Volleyball Tournament on Siesta Key

Left: Former star volleyball player at State College of Florida, Taylor Auxier leaps high for a jump serve during the Dig the Beach Volleyball Tournament on Siesta Key Right: Taylor Auxier and her partner of two years, Katie Digirolamo both of Bradenton competing in the Women’s AA Division

By Trebor Britt

including amateurs, not just professional players. Additional new sponsors include, Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute, Simply Cheeky Bikinis and The Smooth Move, a maker of fresh smoothies, other healthy drinks, and tasty wraps. Mad Dog Beach Volleyball was added as a permanent sponsor after the tragic death of founder Chris Colgan and his wife in a boating accident a few weeks ago. Chris was Tournament Director Diogo Sousa’s mentor for four years before Sousa began directing the Dig the Beach Volleyball Series alone for the past seven years.

Above: Kaeli Crews digs out a spike during the wildly popular Dig the Beach Volleyball Tournament, She’s played volleyball since she turned 9 years old and after graduation this year will head to the University of South Carolina to play volleyball on scholarship

www.siestasand.net

Founded in 1991, the Dig the Beach Series is the longest standing and largest series of its kind in the United States. The Dig the Beach Volleyball Series is the most established and successful grassroots series of its kind. Since 1992 they have catered to both professional and amateur players. This tour has graduated some of the top professionals on the Domestic & World Tours. Annually the series makes 8 stops throughout Florida from April through August. Each tournament features 2 person teams in Adult & Juniors divisions. (Source help: www.digthebeach.com)

Above: Friends and University of Florida Graduates, Gabby Perrone and Lindsey Kisaddon of Tampa, enjoying a break from volleyball on beautiful Siesta Beach

Above: Volleyball players and fans, Gabby Perrone, David Crab, Raul Mayers and Lindsey Kisaddon. Gabby and David are co-ed partners playing on Sunday. David and Raul are playing as partners in the Men’s A Division. About Siesta Beach Gabby said, “It’s the number one Beach in the world, we love it”. Left: Ten year veteran volleyball player, Justin Phipps of Dunedin leaping high above the net to spike a ball over his opponent in the Men’s Pro Open Division of the Dig the Beach Volleyball Tournament on Siesta Key.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JUNE 2019

Beach maintenance funding renewed By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Once again, the Sarasota County Commission has approved allocating the funds from the “third penny” of the 5-cent Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for beach maintenance and related expenses. During a presentation to the board on May 8, Shawn Yeager, manager of the Beaches and Water Accesses Division of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) Department, explained that the use of the extra “bed tax” revenue first won commission approval in 2009. The resulting amendment to the county’s Code of Ordinances necessitates that the allocation be reviewed every two years, he continued. Therefore, PRNR staff wanted to request renewal of the funding stream for two more years, beginning in the 2020 fiscal year, which will begin Oct. 1, 2019, Yeager said. A slide Yeager showed the board on May 8 noted that the total revenue expected for beach maintenance out of the county TDT funds this fiscal year is $4,229,180. Not only does part of the third TDT penny go toward that purpose, he pointed out, but 50% of the first 2 cents of the TDT revenue also is allocated to beach maintenance. The total expense of beach maintenance for this fiscal year, which will end on Sept. 30, is projected to be $4,507,230, Yeager added. Out of that, $100,000 will have gone to emergency cleanup. Yeager explained that the removal of beach debris resulting from red tide is part of what the TDT funding covers. A staff memo prepared for the commission discussion on May 8 explained, “Fund Balance is currently available to fund operating expenditures that exceed annual revenue, but it is also used to fund capital projects for improvements to beach structures …” In other words, the PRNR staff does have money in reserve to help fill in the gap this fiscal year between revenue and expenses. Yeager also pointed out to the board that the Town of Longboat Key receives a separate allocation out of TDT revenue for beach maintenance and renourishment, so the figures he presented did not include the town’s revenue and expenses. The specific uses of the maintenance money for the county-owned beaches include removal of litter and trash; purchase and maintenance of equipment necessary for staff work; improvements designed to make the county shoreline more accessible to all visitors; upgrading structures such as restrooms, picnic shelters, lifeguard towers, decks, sidewalks, irrigation, dune walkovers and fencing; beach grooming; and informational signage. Both North and South county beaches benefit from

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

SilverCitySarasota.com Siesta Key Sand Bangle

the funding, Yeager continued. Among those are the 13 accesses on Siesta Key and Turtle Beach and its boat ramp. The TDT revenue also has been used for ramps to make facilities more accessible and for turtle-friendly lighting, Yeager told the board. The Turtle Beach Park improvements completed in early 2017 — including the new playground and kayak launch — and a restroom at Manasota Beach — were paid for through the funds, he noted. Continuing the TDT allocation, he said, would enable the PRNR staff to keep a focus on environmental stewardship and resource management. For example, he added, “Beaches provide habitat that is crucial for turtles and beachnesting birds.” Some of the species, he pointed out, are protected or endangered. The funds also help pay for events such as the popular Sandy Claws Beach Run on Siesta Beach each December, the Kids’ Beach Runs each summer at Siesta and Brohard beaches, and Beach University at Siesta Beach, which “averaged 67 participants per class this year.” The free Beach University offers educational sessions about a wide array of environmental issues. After Yeager concluded his presentation, Chair Charles Hines — who also chairs the county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) — told his colleagues that the TDC members, meeting in mid-April, voted unanimously to recommend the County Commission continue the TDT allocation. “As important as advertising is,” Hines pointed out, the TDC members talked about the fact that “if we get people here and our local parks are not well cared for and maintained, they’re not going to come back.” The TDT funding, Hines added, “is crucial to keep the maintenance at a high level.” Commissioner Alan Maio made the motion to continue the funding, telling Nicole Rissler, the PRNR director, “Our staff and what you do at all our parks and the beaches is just — I don’t know how anyone can complain.” The motion passed on a 5-0 vote.

941.346.0226

6635 Midnight Pass Rd.

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

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

North Siesta Key Location: 217 Avenida Madera, in the Village

Monday - Grouper BLT Tuesday - Tuna Tuesdays Wednesday - Softshell Crab Sandwich Thursday - Lobster Roll Friday - Pompano Cubano

Fish Tacos Fish Sandwiches Fish Plates

Open Mon – Sat: 11am – 9pm Open for Lunch and Dinner Sun: 4-9PM (Dinner Only) www.bigwaterfishmarket.com 941-554-8101

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Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful Advisory Board members detail success on Siesta By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

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

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit. One of the things that set SKOB apart from the other restaurants in Siesta Key Village is that we have some of the best food on the Key.

Live Music Every Day and Night

Daily Drink Specials

Members of the Keep Sarasota County Beautiful (KSCB) Advisory Board recently put the spotlight on Siesta’s beaches, reporting to the County Commission about efforts to end littering, especially in regard to cigarette butts. During the April 24 presentation of the board’s annual report to the County Commission, First Vice Chair Gena Allison talked about how a video taken by a resident in May 2017 led to a significant reduction in the amount of trash left on the public beach. That video, Allison told the commissioners, showed the debris left by Memorial Day visitors. “It went viral and it was evident that we could be part of the solution,” Allison said. KSCB partnered with several county departments — Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, Communications, and Solid Waste, among them — “to launch Operation Yellow Bag for the July 4 holiday that year,” she continued. Thanks to an array of public service announcements, social media posts, radio/TV/ newspaper interviews, signage at the beach accesses reminding visitors to “Put litter in its place” and the distribution of yellow bags, she said, the aftermath did prove to be a better situation than in the past. The team found 25% of the yellow bags in dumpsters at the accesses, she noted, and less litter remained on the beach. “The program has continued over the past 15 months,” she told the commission, and it was expanded to include all major county beaches. “The amount of positive feedback has been overwhelming,” she added. “Staff continues to see a reduction in the amount of litter on the beaches during holidays and is finding a 50%-plus return on the number of yellow bags being filled and disposed of properly.” Then Allison turned to the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) for which the county received a $5,000 grant in 2017.

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KSCB worked with the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) staff, Allison noted, “to identify high-traffic areas and transition points and installed more than 30 Sidewalk Butler units on Siesta Key as a pilot program. The units feature customized artwork specific to Sarasota County with a call-to-action message: ‘Thank you for keeping our beaches clean. Deposit your cigarette butts here’ printed on the units.” During the first scan of results in the spring of 2017, she said, “We collected close to 4,000 cigarette butts and cigar tips. Approximately 10 weeks after installation,” she added, “litter amounts decreased by approximately 30%.” “Fast forward one year to June 2018, and the scan showed a 78% decrease in cigarette litter, which signified that our education efforts were successful and the program was worth replicating at other venues,” Allison told the commission. Near the Sept. 30, 2018 end of the past fiscal year, she said, “KSCB was able to obtain an additional 40plus units from the Keep America Beautiful Stand for the Land program.” The PRNR staff selected the locations for the new receptacles, Allison reported, and the units were installed. “We continue to see an increase in their use, resulting in a decrease of butt litter.” By the way, earlier in the report, the advisory board chair, Candice Messerschmidt, told the commissioners that during the 2018 fiscal year, more than 1,800 volunteers contributed more than 3,480 hours of service during the Great American Cleanup in the spring of 2018, the Liberty Litter cleanup on July 5, 2018 and the Adopt-A-Road Program. Altogether, she said, they collected more than 12.8 tons of trash and recyclable materials from the county’s beaches, parks and roadways. Commissioner Alan Maio asked her to repeat that last part. After Messerschmidt did so, Maio responded, “Unbelievable.”

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JUNE 2019

Island Chatter

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Fresh Catch continues to expand their loyal customer base

Continued from page 4

On May 13, the structure was still in place, although the permit appeared to be valid just through May 12, based on county online records. On May 14, county staff was contacted for an update on the situation. Media Relations Specialist Brianne Grant responded in an email that day that she had checked with the permitting staff, “and there is an active demolition permit that is valid until November 3. County staff is examining the structure in response to a complaint and has not made a determination on this structure at this time,” she added. “The property owner’s representative reached out to staff yesterday,” she continued, “indicating they will be moving forward with a demolition within the next week.” Kompothecras perhaps is best recognized because of the Siesta Key MTV series he created and for which he serves as executive producer. It stars his son, Alex, and some of Alex’s friends; Kompothecras also appears in episodes. Previously, Kompothecras was best known for his 1-800-ASK-GARY medical and legal referral service. He told the County Commission last year that he would like to use the Fandango Café property as part of the site of a new boutique hotel on Old Stickney Point Road.

No trolley tipping After hearing recent reports that some drivers on the Siesta Key Breeze had put out tip jars, SNL contacted Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) to inquire about the practice. (The trolley rides are free, thanks to the County Commission’s financial support and grant funding.) “There is a zero tolerance policy on soliciting or accepting tips,” Lisa Potts, SCAT communications specialist, responded in an email. “This issue was brought to our attention earlier in April and was immediately addressed and handled internally through our trolley vendor,” she added. “We should not have the issue going forward.” The county contracts with a private company to operate the Breeze.

How about some shade for the beach trolley stop? During the May 8 County Commission discussion about continuing extra Tourist Development Tax funding for beach maintenance, Commissioner Christian Ziegler brought up a concern that he said he hopes can be resolved soon. The previous weekend, he explained, he took both his older daughters to Siesta Public Beach. Since he never had ridden the openair Siesta Key Breeze trolley, Ziegler continued, he and the girls used that as their transportation from Turtle Beach to Siesta Beach. “Trolley was packed,” he added. “Shoulder to shoulder.” The only unsatisfactory part of his experience, he continued, was that when they decided to leave Siesta Beach, they learned they had just missed the Breeze. As a result, they had to stand in the sun for about 20 minutes. Ziegler said he tried to get his girls into the little bit of shade produced by a light pole, describing the experience as “Brutal.” “Other people were complaining about it,” he noted.

Last year, Buzzfeed.com published a list for top new restaurants diners should check out in Florida for 2018. Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill topped that list. Buzzfeed compiles their list on new restaurants that opened during the past year by focusing their data on the restaurantreview site Yelp.com. Only one restaurant is chosen from each state, adding to the impressive recognition this small restaurant received. So how is this mom and pop business faring one year after receiving this honor? There seems to be no shortage of five star reviews for this restaurant so they appear to be exceeding the criteria diners expect and appreciate. Co-owner Devon Provost says, “Fresh Catch has many local and loyal customers. The business continues to build thanks not only to them but the many people who use websites like Yelp, Google and TripAdvisor.” 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. Fresh Catch continues to receive high praise from online reviews: Words cannot describe my delight! Everything was fantastic! Amazing fresh fish - I think it was still swimming this morning! Smoked Mahi Mahi dip, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Cocktail, blackened grouper sandwich, Tripletail with watermelon salsa and shrimp tacos! Bounty from the sea delivered with excellent service and topped off with homemade key lime pie! – Yelper, Kara T.

The Provost Family Wishes all Dads a Happy Father’s Day

Stopped here for a late lunch, I had the Salmon corn on the cob it was excellent. My mom had the clam chowder which was awesome and the shrimp cocktail which she really liked it. My husband had the clam chowder also which he said is the best he has ever had and a Shrimp dish which he enjoyed. The service was very good, after the meal was served they checked up to see if everything was ok. I would highly recommend and if I am in the area again I will definitely eat here again. People who live nearby need to visit this restaurant, it will sure to become one of your favorites. “If you love delicious seafood prepared flawlessly, this is the place for you. Everything is cooked to highlight the high quality, pulled fresh from the gulf.” —Yelper, Linda G. ~ 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)

Continued on page 36

TURTLE’S

On little Sarasota Bay CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

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

3-5 PM Turtle’s End of Season Special Dinner Menu: $19.99 (Avg. 30% Savings)

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Add an Appetizer for $5.99 (reg. $8): Bang Bang Chicken, Fish Bites, or Our Famous Fried Avocado $ $ • Discounted Well Oscar, Drinks • Bar Appetizers 2.99 3.99 Entrée Choices: Gulf Grouper Large Baked Stuffed Shrimp, Ahi Tuna, stuffed -Flounder, Certified Black Angus Prime Rib (8oz. cut), Mango & Kiwi Mahi and Baby Back Ribs, N. Atlantic Wild-Caught Salmon, Surf ‘N’ Surf, Georges Bank Sea Scallops, Surf ‘N’ Turf. (Package includes a delectable entrée w/ starch and veggies, hot rolls w/butter PLUS a House Salad or Clam Chowder) Pair with 9 oz. Carafe of Our Fine House Wine. Choose from: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon - $6.50 (reg. $7.50) *Appetizer and Wine Pricing for package add only

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Sunday Brunch $10.99 • 10AM-3PM Incl. complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa

Early Bird Dinner Specials Complete menu at turtlerestaurant.com Complete menu at turtlerestaurant.com

$10.99 - $14.99 from 3-6:00 PM

Outside Dining Offered Bay Front

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

Solorzano’s Pizzeria unveils interesting new promotion

www.siestasand.net

By Debbie Flessner

Phil Solorzano poses with a few of his customers who chose to get tattoos of his restaurant’s logo, in exchange for one free slice of pizza per day at each of his four locations

Phil Solorzano, owner of Solorzano’s Pizzeria, shows off the logo that pizza fans are getting tattooed on their bodies during his new promotion

Restaurant owner Phil Solorzano is a born selfpromoter. A brash, fast-talking guy who grew up in Hoboken, New Jersey, he is more than happy to tell people about all of the accolades his Solorzano’s Pizzeria pizza has earned over the years. “We have received the Trip Advisor ‘Best Pizza’ for four years in a row, and we’ve been voted ‘Best Italian Cuisine’ on that site for the past two years,” he said. “We also just won ‘Best Pizza’ in the 2019 Sarasota Magazine poll. There are over 150 pizzerias in Sarasota, but we do things the right way here and we have the best food around.” Solorzano has been working in restaurants his whole life. His grandparents immigrated from Naples, Italy to New Jersey, where they opened several pizzerias, and that’s where his parents, Carlos and Franca, originally met. Needless to say, both his brother Carlos Jr. and Phil (Filippo) grew up working in the family business. In 2003, the two siblings and their parents moved down to the Suncoast for good, after falling in love with the area on a family vacation. By 2004, Solorzano’s Pizzeria Siesta Key had debuted, occupying the space of a former butcher shop on Avenida Madera. Today, Phil owns that restaurant, as well as Solorzano’s Late Night Pizzeria in Gulf Gate and Solorzano’s Pizzeria Venice. Carlos Jr. owns and operates Solorzano Bros.-Webber Street. By the end of the summer, Phil plans to add to his portfolio by opening another Solorzano’s Pizzeria on Longboat Key. He says that all the locations of the family’s restaurants perform well, but the Siesta Key site is especially well-positioned. “We’re doing great here,” he said. “We’re the oldest pizzeria in the Village and the oldest business on the block.” Phil asserts that he doesn’t need to place advertisements for his restaurants, since word of mouth about good food travels fast in Sarasota. But he’s also a prolific poster for his business on social media, especially Facebook, and he’s always trying to come up with new and different ways to draw attention to his restaurants. After he had a new Solorzano’s Pizzeria logo created a couple of months ago, Phil came up with his newest promotional idea and this one is causing quite a bit of buzz. The concept is this: Customers who get a tattoo applied on their body of the new logo can get one free slice of pizza a day—for life--at each of Phil’s restaurants. That means that if you have the tattoo, you can visit the Siesta Key, Gulf Gate, Venice and soon-to-be Longboat Key locations every day and get a free slice at each stop. You might say, “There’s no way that anyone would get a restaurant logo tattoo for free pizza.” Well, you would be mistaken. Phil says that since the promotion first began more than five weeks ago, there have been a minimum of three customers per day who have volunteered to get the tattoo. If you get the work done at the Liberty Tattoo Club

The logo being used in the promotion is a new one for Solorzano’s Pizzeria

on Stickney Point Road, Phil will even pay for the tattoo. He says there are several rules you need to follow in order to participate. “First, they (the customers) message us on Facebook saying that they want to do it, and we will ask them to call Liberty Tattoo and make an appointment, if they want to do it for free,” he said. “Then they need to send me a picture of the stencil of the logo tattoo and then another picture when it’s done. Also, after it’s done, they need to post it on Facebook and Instagram, tag us and give the restaurant a five-star review on Trip Advisor. Then we pay for the tattoo.” Whether you use Liberty Tattoo or your own tattoo artist, after the work is done, you can walk into any of Phil’s pizzerias each day they’re open, show your tattoo and get your free slice. He’s also doing some side promotions around the tattoos, such as when he makes Facebook posts about t-shirt giveaways and special pizza prices for those who have already received their tattoos. So far, the response has been enthusiastic, and Phil plans to keep the campaign going as long as customers want to participate. One thing is for sure, he will likely not be the person to turn his back on a successful promotion, especially not one that elicits the “free advertising” that this one does. “The fact is that we have a great product, and people will talk about us even more,” he said. Solorzano’s Pizzeria Siesta Key is located at 215 Avenida Madera, and is open every day, from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. For more information, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ solbrospizza/ or call 941-349-2767.

These two customers got back shoulder tattoos

One customer got his tattoo on his inner calf

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

Big Pass lawsuit

JUNE 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Fernando’s 20 th Anniversary Celebration

Continued from cover story

Fernando Piney has owned Dutch Valley Restaurant since 1999!

May 28 - June 1, 2019 The city was a co-applicant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in seeking — and receiving — a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit for the Lido Renourishment Project. SKA leaders have argued that the USACE’s modeling of the planned initiative was inadequate, as the federal agency uses proprietary software that is not the most up-to-date for making determinations about potential effects. A number of Siesta residents contend that the dredging of the pass and its ebb shoal will lead to property damage on Siesta. However, USACE and City of Sarasota representatives have remained steadfast in their assertion that no harm will come to Siesta Key. As a result of the direction Judge McHugh provided during the status hearing, the SKA sent a letter to City Manager Tom Barwin on April 23 to begin the discovery process. The letter pointed out, “At present the issue in the lawsuit is whether the City has ever evaluated and issued a written determination that the Lido Renourishment Project is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the County’s Comprehensive Plan, and all other applicable local, regional, state, and federal plans and regulations regarding the project. “In addition,” the letter continued, “the City’s attorneys have argued that SKA has not made an ‘express and distinct demand’ that the City make a determination (in compliance with Chapter 163, Florida Statutes) whether the Project in its current design is consistent with the city and county comprehensive plans and all other applicable regulations.” The SKA has argued that because the city never issued any public determination about the proposal’s compliance with local regulations, the city has failed to “trigger” a 30-day period Chapter 163 allows to contest such a finding. In an amended complaint filed in January, the SKA’s attorney, Kent Safriet of the Tallahassee firm Hopping, Green & Sams, also pointed to a May 2017 meeting between SKA representatives and senior city staff to show that the nonprofit had asked city leaders to make the necessary determinations about the Lido project. After the city’s outside counsel in the case — John R. Herin Jr. of the Fox Rothschild firm in Miami —

impugned the validity of that information, the SKA produced an email exchange as evidence supporting its assertion about the May 2017 discussions. In a separate action, the SKA filed a formal request with the Circuit Court on April 23, seeking specific materials from the city. Among those it has requested are “all documents relating in any way to a meeting with any City official and Bob and Catherine Luckner on May 23, 2017.” Robert Luckner, who is Catherine Luckner’s husband, is on the SKA’s Environmental Committee. Both Luckners have undertaken extensive research over the past years in an effort to stop the removal of sand from Big Pass. The city documents are due by 9 a.m. on May 23 at the Hopping Green & Sams offices in Tallahassee, the court document says, though it provides the city an opportunity to have its counsel work with Safriet on an alternative schedule.

Details of the demands The April 23 letter to the city points out that city counsel Herin “has indicated a need to call 2-4 witnesses and take numerous depositions before the July hearing. This futile exercise will most likely cost the City taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.” Therefore, the letter continues, “in an effort to avoid such a needless waste of money and resources,” the SKA demands that the city “make a written determination” that the Lido project “is or is not” consistent with the following, at a minimum: • Action Strategy 1.1 of the city’s Environmental Protection and Coastal Islands Plan. • Sections VII-1303 and VII-1304 of the city’s Zoning Code. • Environmental Policy 4.6.1 in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. • County Ordinance 54-653(4)(a). • County Ordinance 54-656(7)(d)2. Then, on May 14, the SKA filed notice with the court that it planned to take a deposition, by telephone, of City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw. That is set for June 27. “The deposition will be taken under oath before a certified court reporter or some other Notary Public for the State of Florida,” the document said.

Daily Specials $ 1 Raffle Tickets, 20 Giveaways

(winners announced on June 1, need not be present to win)

Saturday, June 1 Celebration

FREE Mimosas 7 AM - 12 PM *1 per customer

Raffle Winners Announced 3 Menus Specials all 20% OFF $13.99 Cuban Style Marinated Pork Dinner BBQ Ribs Dinner Roast Turkey and Dressing Dinner

ALL sales from Saturday’s 3 menu specials and raffle ticket sales will be matched by Dutch Valley to benefit Tidewell Hospice and the Tidewell Wishes Fund Dutch Valley Restaurant 6721 S. Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, Fl 34231 941.924.1770 • DutchValleyRestaurant.net

Your Go-To Store on the Island Morton’s Siesta Market is your one-stop shop for easy island living. We offer a large selection of staple groceries, beer and wine, as well as fresh produce, meats and seafood. In keeping with our Morton’s tradition, we also carry a delicious array of prepared foods, perfect for take-out, picnics, parties and more.

Please stop in and say hello! 205 Canal Road, Siesta Key • 941-349-1474 • MortonsMarket.com

Visit our new Siesta Village Liquors just next door!

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

On 4-1 vote, County Commission approves 760-foot-long seawall Rachel Brown Hackney on Casey Key By SarasotaNewsLeader.com On a 4-1 vote, the Sarasota County Commission has approved a Coastal Setback Variance that will permit the construction of a 760-foot-long seawall a maximum of 40 feet seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL). Commissioner Nancy Detert cast the “No” vote, reiterating her objection to seawalls, even though staff explained that the new structure will tie in to existing seawalls to the north and south. The GBSL is the figurative line in the sand implemented decades ago in an effort to protect dunes and vegetation, which, in turn, will protect property landward of the GBSL in the event of major storms, staff has explained. Five petitioners had requested the seawall, Howard Berna, manager of the county’s Environmental Permitting Division, told the commissioners. However, the owners of the homes at 2209, 2305 and 2309 Casey Key Road will be the primary beneficiaries of the structure, he said. The other petitioners own the parcels at 2207 and 2315 Casey Key Road, he noted. The area of the seawall will be almost midpoint between the Blackburn Point Road Bridge and the Albee Road Bridge, he added. The seawall will replace a geotextile container system that the County Commission approved in the same area in 2009, Berna explained on May 7. Representing the petitioners, Karyn Erickson, president of Erickson Consulting Engineers in Sarasota — the principal engineer for the project — and William Merrill III of the Icard Merrill law firm in Sarasota both talked of the expense the three affected property owners have had to incur since the geotextile container system was installed. The owners have had to pay a total of more than $3.5 million since 2011 — when that project was completed — because a stipulation with the 2009 county variance necessitated that a minimum of 3 feet of sand cover the structures in an effort to facilitate sea turtle nesting on the beach in front of the homes. Erickson did point out that data kept about turtle nesting over the period of time the geotextile system has been in place — with a control area factored in — showed a 43% success rate for nests in front of the adjoining seawalls and a 39% success rate in front of the container system. Since the system was constructed in 2011, Berna told the board, “There have been a number of successful sea turtles nesting here.” Through 2018, he said, documentation showed the total near the homes at 2209, 2305 and 2309 Casey Key

Road was 192. Sand was placed in significant quantities over the geotextile container system from 2012 through 2016, except for 2015 and 2017, Erickson pointed out. The owners also spent more than $400,000 putting in new vegetation each time they had to place more sand on the site, she continued. “The continuous placement is costly, and it constantly takes the coastal system out of equilibrium,” she summed up the situation for the three primary petitioners. Detert noted those comments as another reason for her “No” vote. “I think somebody slipped and revealed what was my suspicion anyway,” Detert said. Addressing the petitioners, she continued, “You just got tired of paying for the 3 feet of sand every year.” However, considering the appearances of the applicants’ homes in the slides Berna had shown the board, Detert added, “I think you can continue to do that pretty comfortably without being driven out of your house.” The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) already has granted a variance for the seawall, Merrill told the commissioners; state staff was just awaiting the board’s decision before issuing the permit. Reading from FDEP’s confirmation that it would grant the necessary state variance, Merrill said state officials agreed that the geotextile containers “no longer offer reasonable long-term protection to the upland structures from frequent storms or coastal erosion.” Further, he noted, FDEP staff wrote that the seawall will “protect both the coastal system …” Erickson also had pointed out that the area of the beach proposed for the seawall had lost about 10 feet of beach to erosion each of the past six years.

Further facts During his presentation, Berna, the county’s environmental permitting manager, explained that the geotextile container system creates a dune core over which waves can roll. The sand naturally comes and goes.

With the seawall, Berna continued, “We’re basically connecting the dots between two walls.” The new structure will have the same elevation — 12.5 feet — as the neighboring seawalls, he pointed out. In 2009, he noted, the geotextile container system was viewed as a better means of protecting the shoreline without damaging the coastal system. Easements were recorded with the 2009 variance to ensure continued lateral pedestrian access along the beach, Berna added. The easements will be modified to reflect the construction of the seawall, he said. Merrill told the board that the proposed seawall “fills the gap between two existing

seawalls.” He called it a “very uncommon occurrence” for FDEP to approve the variance the property owners had sought from that department. Merrill also stressed that the rate of erosion on the beach is 4 to 10 feet a year. “In zero to five years, you could lose the homes,” he said, if the container system were removed and no protection put in its place. Commissioner Alan Maio made the motion to approve the Coastal Setback Variance. “A credible case has been made for the seawall,” he said. Commissioner Michael Moran seconded the motion, calling the seawall a commonsense measure that would fill the gap between the neighboring seawalls.

At PAW PAIR PET Nannies & Home Watch our mission is to work with our clients to positively impact the quality of life for each pet we serve. For 26 years, we have been relentless about continually raising the standard of excellence for pet care, home watching and client service. Our cost saving, in-person quotes, allow you to balance exercise and socialization with walks, play time and rest time, in your pets home environment. Whether your pets need care off and on, overnight, or every day of the week, we create care right for you. PAW PAIR Pet Nannies & Home Watch, a wealth of knowledge, safety first, and experience you can trust. Your pets and home watch are our top priority. Ready to live the good life? TELL YOUR HUMAN TO CALL US TODAY. 941-475-8585 • pawpairpetnannies@gmail.com PAW PAIR Pet Nannies & Home Watch is fully insured for your pets and your home.

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www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JUNE 2019

Landings residents volunteer at SMH

BREAKFAST and LUNCH

SERVED ALL DAY

By Diana Colson

Bob Fernander

Full

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MSN Food and Drink Jan. 2015

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6621 Midnight Pass Road Just S. of Stickney Pt. Road

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

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Siesta Key Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce Proudly Serving Locals and Tourists since 1959! 941-349-3800 5114 Ocean Blvd. SiestaKeyChamber.com

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

Fay Kardon

é Ca s a l

Happy Hour 5-7 PM

fé

After more than a half century together, ‘Clemmie’ passed away in 2010 leaving a legacy of love for Bob, their sons Bob and Michael, and five grandchildren. Bob is now in a relationship with a lovely lady and life is great. • Fay Kardon also volunteers at SMH. She works in the Heart Catherization Lab - a position that does not require much walking. She greets patients, weighs them, and fills out forms. “When nurses are ready, I take a patient back to the examination room. If accompanied, I tell relatives that in about 45 minutes I will be taking them back to see the patient before the procedure begins. The procedure itself only takes half an hour, but patients must stay four hours after they enter the recovery room. It’s an all-day thing. “A visit to the Lab can be an emergency or a planned procedure. A couple of times lab patients have been brought in by helicopter.” The Heart Catherization Lab is not a hard-surgical unit. Stents and pacemakers are installed and periodically checked. The Lab does not do bypass surgery or anything major like that. Of her volunteer position Fay says, “It is very valuable work and I enjoy doing it! After each procedure, the doctor comes out to talk to the family. These doctors are wonderful!” The Lab opens at 5:30 in the morning and may still be going until 11 at night. 39 or 40 procedures may be done in any one day. Fay prefers to work the mid-day shift, which is from noon to 4 p.m. She works only on Tuesdays. Most doctors have only one day in the hospital when they do all their surgery, so Fay has gotten to know the Tuesday doctors quite well! Fay started volunteering at SMH in 1995, after raising two daughters and a son, helping in the office of her husband’s wholesale business, and working for the IRS! During her child rearing years, Fay was a Girl Scout Leader. “I always volunteered for things and my husband said I couldn’t say no!” “I got my husband to volunteer at SMH, and he really loved it! I worked in ICU, then went to ER, where I stayed for 16 years. After my husband passed away, I worked briefly doing paperwork for concierge doctors, before moving on to Heart Catherization where I have been for the past three or four years. Nothing is strenuous and I get to meet interesting people.” It should be noted that her son, Eric, is an Emergency Room Physician!

• Bob Fernander served for 24 years as a pilot and commanded the 101st Airborne Division Assault Helicopter Battalion in Vietnam. After being promoted to Colonel, he was assigned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, to serve as Brigade Commander and subsequently as Chief of Staff. He retired from the Army in January of 1978 and became an administrator for law firms. In 1996 Bob retired from the Sarasota law firm of Williams Parker and concentrated on tennis, golf and kayaking. Then came the day when his wife told him he ought to be doing “something valuable.” It was 2001, and his wife, Clementine, introduced him to working at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He started as a surgery transporter and describes his duties as patient mover and a general step-andfetch-it for the surgery department. “We take patients from their rooms to surgery and back. We get blood from the Blood Bank located in the hospital, get medical items from Central Supply, and discharge by wheel chair. We are not concerned with heavy lifting so that is not a big issue. Being a public hospital, these volunteer services save costs not only for the hospital, but for the taxpayer as well. I just love doing this! It’s like a job. It’s so self-fulfilling. Our reward is patient and staff appreciation, often thanking us for volunteering our service. The surgery staff annually throws us a big luncheon featuring home cooked favorites to further express their appreciation.” Bob works just one 4-hour shift on Thursdays. Each shift consists of three volunteers, one shift overlapping from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The job of transporter requires a lot of walking. Bob measured how far he walked on one of his recent shifts and found it to be 4.2 miles. “I came home and took a nap,” Bob admits cheerfully. For their efforts, volunteers are given a free lunch in the staff dining room on the 4th floor. At SMH, staff and volunteers all wear ‘color coded’ clothing. One can tell in a glance the role each person is playing. Volunteers wear aqua tops and black or white scrub pants. “Volunteers come from very diverse backgrounds: professionals to housewives. They even have student volunteers. SMH welcomes volunteers. You get to meet a lot of interesting people. It’s very social. We do a lot of socializing together. When my wife was alive, her group used to do things like picnic at the beach and even took the Mystery Train together. She was a nurse and was very comfortable in a medical environment, but after our training was completed so were we all.”

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Last Siesta Key report for Lt. Paul Cernansky, the new substation leader is introduced During the May Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, Lt. Paul Cernansky, the past leader of the Sheriff’s Office substation on the Key, introduced the new supervisor, Sgt. Arik Smith. Regular readers will recall that Cernansky officially was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant in April. And just as one of his colleagues did for him when he was starting out as the new substation leader, Cernansky told the SKA audience on May 2, “I’ll still take the questions today, so Smith can see what that’s like,” eliciting laughter from some of the approximately 60 attendees. “Coming off the heels of spring break,” Cernansky said, he was able to report, “Everything went very well.” And while officers thought spring break season was over, he continued, “New York private schools fooled us” the previous week. As for actual crimes on the Key: Cernansky noted that the number of Part 1 offenses — those considered more serious — was down 10% in April compared to the March figure. Eight fewer vehicle burglaries occurred in April, he said, adding that those crimes “are entirely preventable.” Cernansky reminded the audience members of the need to lock vehicles, to prevent items from being stolen. The Sheriff’s Office did record two auto thefts on the Key in April, he continued, but a suspect already had been identified in one case. Six grand theft cases involving bicycles were reported, Cernansky said. A suspect also has been identified in connection with those, he noted. When an audience member asked whether he had details about the bicycle thefts, Cernansky responded, “Many of the bikes were taken at night,” with some located near the locations from which they had been reported missing. “My guess is that they were unlocked,” Cernansky added. Then another audience member asked whether Cernansky believes home security systems can be beneficial to law

enforcement officers in solving crimes. “Many times,” Cernansky replied, adding that such systems also help deter criminals. Video taken by home security systems can be used to identify suspects, he pointed out. Another audience member — a woman — asked if it is legal to solicit door-to-door on the island. A person must obtain a county permit to do so, Cernansky explained, and the solicitation proposal must meet certain criteria for such a permit to be issued. Each application is evaluated on its own merits, he said. Any person with a question about someone soliciting on the island can call the Sheriff’s Office, he told the woman. When someone else in the audience asked whether the questioner had encountered a problem, she explained that two woman recently had come to her door, inquiring whether anyone in the household would be interested in participating in Bible study. When Cernansky asked whether the women mentioned charging for the gatherings, the audience member told him she did not ask them, because she had no interest in participating. Then another man asked whether a regular user of a recumbent bicycle on the Key should have a flag on the rear of the vehicle, to improve the rider’s visibility to drivers of motor vehicles. “He’s not legally obligated to do so,” Cernansky replied.

Making the promotion official On April 18, the Sheriff’s Office officially announced Sgt.

Sheriff’s Report April 23-May 20,2019 4/28/19 Resisting officer without Violence Public Beach A Deputy parked at the Public Beach observed two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed northbound through the parking lot. As he approached the vehicles, they accelerated while swerving in and out of traffic lanes. Both vehicles began turning sharply and performed several U-turns to avoid contact. The deputy initiated a traffic stop at the entrance of the park, near the Sheriff’s Office Operations Building. The operator of the first vehicle was issued citations for careless driving and failure to exhibit his FL Driver’s License and was released from the scene. The passenger of the second car falsely identified himself as a Florida resident and gave a fake name. When Dispatch discovered his true identity, it was discovered that the Michigan resident had an outstanding warrant there for aggravated assault. By obstructing a law enforcement officer in his lawful execution of the legal process, he was charged with resistance.

4/28/19 Possession of Marijuana Possession of certain drugs without a prescription -2 counts Possession of an open container Public Beach Upon initial contact of the above second vehicle referenced above, the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana. He asked the driver where the marijuana was in the car. He stated he had approximately 5.5-6 grams under the passenger seat. Both occupants were asked to keep their hands in plain view until backup arrived. During a search of the car a bag of marijuana weighing 9.5 grams was discovered. Two prescription drug bottles prescribed to a person in Buffalo NY were found in the center console. The defendant said they were given to him by a friend. A 23 oz. open container of Gold “Four Loko” was found under the driver’s seat. The driver admitted to the charges and was arrested.

Paul Cernansky’s promotion to lieutenant, noting that he has been assigned to the department’s Law Enforcement Division. Cernansky joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2004, after he obtained his certification, and was assigned to the Patrol Bureau, a news release pointed out. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred from Patrol to the Tactical Unit, the release said. After graduating from the FBI-LEEDA’s 286th Supervisor Leadership Institute in 2017, Cernansky transferred to Special Operations, overseeing the Siesta Key and Mounted Patrol Units, the release continued. He has taken several advanced courses, including those on narcotics and dangerous drug detection, surveillance techniques, Taser instruction, defensive tactics instruction, and sex crimes investigations, the release said. Cernansky earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Florida, the release added. Siesta Sand wishes Lt. Paul Cernansky the best.

There were 20 crimes reported on the Key between 4/23-5/20/19

4/28 Stolen Vehicle Location Withheld A vehicle was parked in its owner’s condominium lot. The car was locked using the door keypad. The keys to the vehicle were inside, out of sight. When the owner came out to the car the next morning, the vehicle was gone. No signs of open entry were observed.

5/1/19 Auto Theft Committed Location Withheld In reference to the above story, the vehicle was later found in the 2000 Block of Poplar Street in Sarasota. It was parked to the south of the railroad tracks with the windows open and the keys on the front passenger side tire. Police ran the license plate and discovered it had been reported stolen on 4/28. The owners were notified and came to retrieve the vehicle. Due to the extreme amount of dust and moisture on the vehicle, fingerprints were not able to be lifted. A pair of sunglasses, a Nike shoe and a Trader Joe’s Gouda cheese wrapper were found in the car and collected as evidence.

5/4 Burglary Residential Location Withheld A man reported he left his home overnight and returned to find he had been burglarized. An unknown person entered his residence and stole a 16-gauge antique shotgun ($500), about $10 worth of change and a Herend figurine ($300). He stated no one has access to his home, although he may have left the rear sliding door unlocked. A neighbor’s surveillance video didn’t record anything suspicious.

5/6 Burglary with Battery, Possession of Burglary Tool Public Beach A deputy arrived to the scene in reference to a possible burglary / disturbance. He found two men rolling around on the asphalt parking lot in a physical altercation. As the defendant looked up and saw the marked patrol car, he raised his hands and sat on the curb. The victim was advised to step aside. The victim explained that he and

his sister were sitting on a bench near the parking lot when they heard a loud crashing sound near where his car was parked. He walked towards his car and saw the defendant attempting to break the driver’s side window with a broom handle. When the victim yelled at him, the defendant ran toward his own car. The victim stated he was able to grab the defendant in an attempt to detain him when the defendant placed his hands on the victim’s throat and pressed his head into the roof of his vehicle. The two men wound up in a struggle until the deputy arrived. There was visible damage to the vehicle window and a broom handle was found near the car. The defendant advised he was 17 and provided his parent’s contact info. Post Miranda, the defendant admitted to making a big mistake. He said he drove to the lot for no reason, found the broom on the ground and began hitting the driver window. He stated he was not trying to gain entry.

5/8 Burglary- Vehicle Public Beach A woman reported her credit cards were stolen out of her purse. The purse was said to be locked in her trunk while her car was parked in the Public lot. She said the car was locked and she had her keys. She said someone had probably entered the trunk, took three credit cards from her wallet and then closed the trunk. The purse and wallet were not taken. She said whoever took the cards left the $45

cash that was in her wallet. There was no sign of forced entry. She then suspected that someone could have entered her home sometime during the night as she was uncertain of the exact timing of the theft. Her bank had contacted her about suspicious activity on the cards. Her cards had been used in Fort Meyers at Best Buy ($745 and $1765), Macy’s ($458) and Dillard’s for an undisclosed amount. The identity of the suspect(s) has not yet been determined.

5/11 Burglary Business A cargo van belonging to a Village retail business was burglarized. The van was parked in a fenced enclosure. It was unknown if the vehicle was locked. The van had its front windshield smashed in and all other windows were broken. The rearview outside mirrors were also broken. The dashboard was broken when an air vent was pulled out and the stereo was pushed in. The van contained merchandise from the business but nothing was taken. A pair of garden loppers were found in the vehicle that had been used to smash the windows. The rear of the business was examined and a men’s wallet and ladies’ purse were found on the ground near the van. These did not belong to the business. It was discovered that the security system had not been working for the past few days. No employees were recently fired by the business.

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JUNE 2019

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5100 Ocean Boulevard • Sarasota, FL 34242

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

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Fernando Piney Marks 20 years at Dutch Valley

www.siestasand.net

By Diana Colson

Fernando Piney Fernando Piney has owned Dutch Valley Restaurant since 1999. He is now celebrating his 20th year as the head of this iconic Sarasota restaurant. Located at 6721 S. Tamiami Trail, Dutch Valley began in 1972 as an Amish dining establishment. Today it is open 365 days a year from 7 am to 9 pm, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is available all day, and it offers American and Greek foods as well as a variety of desserts. New dishes are always being added, reflecting the culinary background of the chef as well as current tastes and health concerns. For years, Dutch Valley has anchored our community by holding fundraisers for various charities as well as hosting quarterly blood drives. As an example of its innovative fundraising, in the week leading up to Saturday, June 1, Dutch Valley will be selling $1 raffle tickets with all proceeds going to Tidewell Hospice in memory of Renee Piney. Furthermore, for each raffle ticket sold, Dutch Valley will match that $1. To increase the contribution, on Saturday, June 1st, from noon to 8pm, three menu specials will be offered at 20% off. All proceeds from the sale of these specials will also be matched by Dutch Valley with the doubled proceeds going to Tidewell Hospice. What a fabulous way for Dutch Valley to show support for the wonderful work done by Tidewell! Kudos to owner Fernando Piney for giving back so much to our community. Fernando is an exceptional man who has led an extraordinary life. Born in Cuba, he immigrated to America 65 years ago—before the Cuban uprising. He worked first in a cigar factory in Kingston, NY, then became an American citizen. He then served in the Army where he spent three years in active duty and four years in reserve, emerging as Specialist 4. He met his wife, Renee, at a wedding in Hyde Park, New York. Renee was of Greek ancestry and had experience in the restaurant business also. Together, Renee and Fernando operated the Springwood Inn in Hyde Park, a historic inn with a greenhouse located across the street from FDR’s famed hideaway. The couple also owned a convenience store and a roller rink. Fernando’s young daughter Denise loved to skate. Hyde Park was a wonderful place to live, and they were very successful there: but the chill winds blew, and the tropics called. Finally, about 25

Fernando, Gabriel, & Denise

years ago, the couple sold their New York properties and moved to Sarasota where they bought a house. For the next four years they tried to retire but found themselves getting bored, very bored. The hard-working couple decided to go back into action by buying a restaurant called Dutch Valley. The rest is history. “Most of the credit for our success I give to my late wife, Renee,” says Fernando. Some Dutch Valley clients are people who would spend holidays all by themselves. These people felt relaxed in the restaurant’s welcoming environment and would become friendly with their servers. Renee became a contact point for many distant relatives who worried about their loved ones being alone. “Did my Dad show up today?” a caller might ask. Many snowbirds make Dutch Valley their first stop before checking in at their place of residence and confronting the horrors of an empty refrigerator. Quality food and reasonable prices means return customers. The convenience of the hours that the restaurant is open allows them to accommodate working people who come in wearing uniforms or work clothes yet feel completely comfortable. Says Fernando, “We are very lucky to have quality

Apps finally available for Siesta Key trolley

staff, many of whom have been with us the whole time. They are part of the success of this restaurant!” Renee passed away almost five years ago. Fernando is now remarried to a lovely lady by the name of Judy Pirkey. His daughter, Denise, is Dutch Valley’s Assistant Manager, and his two surviving sons come often from faraway to visit. Dutch Valley seats 150 people. It welcomes people of all ages, many of whom come to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries at the restaurant. So…if you haven’t yet been there, you should go! Located slightly south of Stickney Point Bridge on 41, it’s a wonderful family place: cheerful, modestly priced, and famed for its fabulous Belgian Waffles!

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

The operator of the Siesta Key Breeze finally received the necessary go-ahead from Apple and Android to release its apps for riders, representatives of CPR Medical Transportation LLC told members of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce on May 22. A person can go to EyeRide on Apple operating systems, Ann Frescura, executive director of the Chamber, reported during the Quarterly Chamber Members Meeting at the Daiquiri Deck. On Android systems, Chamber Director Joye Argo added, a person just needs to search for “Siesta Trolley.” Nathan Reid, general manager of the trolley, explained that all a person waiting on the Breeze needs to do is look at the map the app provides to determine the estimated time of arrival of the trolley at the person’s location. Adem Adem, a consultant for CPR Medical Transportation, told the group that he has continued to work with the tech companies to iron out issues with the app. For example, Helene Hyland noted during the meeting that she has an Android phone, and when she first searched for the app, she found it under “CPR Medical.” Reid responded that, with both software systems running, CPR Medical has submitted an application to have the name “Siesta Key Breeze” used for both apps. “It’s a common name for newcomers to the island,” he noted. Frescura offered another suggestion. When one clicks on the app, it says, “205 Canal Road” or “Turtle Beach

turn around.” She asked — “if it’s not too much trouble” — whether CPR Medical could add information making it clear that Turtle Beach is on the southern end of the route, while Canal Road is the northern terminus of the trolley trip. “As Helene pointed out, the tourist population turns over weekly, sometimes daily on the Key,” Frescura explained. “They have to learn the app’s operation quickly.” Adem indicated that he would work on that, as well. “Make it dummy-proof.” Adem also told the group that CPR Medical wanted to get the app up and running before the spring break season began in March. However, he continued, “The Apple side took a little longer,” and CPR Medical wanted to launch both that app and the Android version at the same time. “Apple rejected CPR Medical’s request four, five times, because they say Florida is known for apps for gambling,” Adem continued. “They gave us a hard time.” CPR Medical, which runs the trolley through a contract with Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), even had to get county staff to write a letter to Apple, confirming how the app would be used, he said, before Apple would agree to work with CPR Medical. At least the app was launched before the Memorial Day weekend, he pointed out. “It’s functional. Anybody can download it. … That’s a great thing.”

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JUNE 2019

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 26

VILLAGE MAP pgs 22 - 23

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 24

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

GULF GATE SHOPS pg 28 - 29

Siesta Key Drum Circle Every Sunday is a perfect time to come to the Key to reconnect with Mother Nature and to enjoy this collaborative community event. 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 Jane Dough as shared in Siesta Key Drum Circle Facebook page.

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

Siesta Sand

Off Key

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

By Robert Frederickson

From Garden Views to Stats Misused

Squaring the Circle at Selby Gardens? I wonder how the late Marie Selby would react to the controversy surrounding plans by her namesake Selby Botanical Gardens to add a parking garage and restaurant on the bayfront property where she once lived. Neighbors see the plans as out of sync with the residential character of the area; they are especially concerned with the added traffic they fear the expansion will add to an already congested area. The irony here is that if Selby was living today a strong case can be made she might very well stand with the protestors, not the board that manages her former property. Selby was an environmentalist before being an environmentalist was considered cool. She famously planted a stand of fast growing bamboo along her bay frontage to block her view of what she considered the abomination of the Arvida Corporation’s work dredging and filling the section of Sarasota Bay that would expand

I feel for the good folks at the gardens trying to square this circle: it can’t be easy when the very folks you hope to draw to the peace and tranquility of Selby’s former estate are among those you’d naturally expect to be most sympathetic to concerns about treading lightly on the place she loved so much and cared for so well.

More Parking Plan Woes in Store for Sarasota?

Bird Key to its current size. That was back in 1959. A project like that would never be approved today, thanks in part to the efforts of folks like Marie Selby.

A co-worker of my wife at The Herald Tribune downtown got a parking ticket last week for exceeding Sarasota’s two hour limit for non-metered spaces...done in by the city’s scooter powered ‘chalk’ patrol that dutifully marks the tires of parked cars and trucks every two hours to make sure they don’t linger too long. Most of us just grin and bear it, paying

up when we find a parking ticket stuck to our windshield...you can’t fight city hall, right? Well, Alison Taylor of Michigan would disagree. She had received more than a dozen tickets for running afoul of parking rules almost identical to Sarasota’s in her hometown of Saginaw. So she hired a lawyer. A pretty good one, it seems. He argued the city’s parking officer had violated Taylor’s Fourth amendment right against unreasonable searches when he marked her tires with chalk without her permission or any form of legal warrant. And guess what? A Federal appeals court agreed. An Associated Press story recently reported that according to the court “marking tires to enforce parking rules is like entering property without a search warrant; it declared the practice unconstitutional in Michigan and three other states.” Sadly for my wife’s co-worker, Florida isn’t one of those states. But could a class action suit be in the works? After all, a Federal court precedent has now been set.

Map D #11

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

Map B #42

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

THE LOCAL BEAN • Internet Café • Coffee Shop • Tea Room 5138 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

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WHAT BETTER WAY TO START YOUR DAY IN PARADISE?

Map D #62

Organic and Fair Trade Coffees & Teas Cold Pressed Coffee Organic Smoothies Light Lunch (Salads & Sandwiches) Breakfast Sandwiches, Bagels & Lox Local Pastries Free Snacks

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 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 Stefano Versace Gelato...................Map-C #50 SubZero Ice Cream/Yogurt.......... Map-D #16 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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See Dick Run, Run Dick Run! Remember the names of the characters in the once ubiquitous McGuffey’s readers of yore? Dick, Jane, Peter and Nancy.... The Social Security Administration has released its annual list of the most popular names given to children last year and Dick and Jane are nowhere to be found. Instead, Liam and Emma are now at the top of the list... Noah, William, James and Oliver round out the top five for boys, and Olivia, Ava, Isabella and Sophia for the girls.

Would-be Comedian Needs to Work on Material... They say timing is key when it comes to comedy. Just witness the case of the Sarasota man who debuted his latest comedy routine at a North Washington Boulevard pawn shop recently when he walked up to the counter with his toddler and told the clerk he wanted to pawn the baby.

JUNE 2019

The clerk and later the Sarasota Police Department were not amused. The man later explained to WFLA news that the whole thing was just a prank. He simply wanted to post the bit on social media to get a few laughs, he said. But of course the joke ended up backfiring on him. After checking on the welfare of the child, SPD detectives contacted the Department of Children and Families, meaning they will likely be dropping by shortly. And when they do, perhaps the role of father, not comedian, should be on the top of his mind.

Praising the Lord at 100 MPH Leonard Olsen Jr. said he was just “praising God” when he set the cruise control on his late model Cadillac, opened his sunroof, hoisted himself up so his backside rested on the top of his head rest and with his upper torso above the car’s roof line and his feet on the wheel to steer he then spread his arms apart and tilted his head back in prayer, or perhaps in

living tribute to the famous Jimi Hendrix lyric “Excuse me while I kiss the sky…” all while hurtling along always busy I-4. But before long a Hillsborough County deputy caught the rolling prayer session on camera, memorializing it for posterity before Olsen was taken to jail for reckless driving. ...Which was just fine with Olsen who told troopers he’d rather go to jail than return home to his wife.

More Fun and Games on the Highway Tampa resident, Mathew Joseph Erris, 26, pulled over a driver in Hillsborough County recently. Trouble is, Mathew Joseph Erris isn’t a cop. But the trouble for Erris got worse: turns out the driver he pulled over was a cop. I bet he hates it when that happens. He was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Peak Oil Redux

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

at a Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund event in Houston recently cited a statistic that shines a light on the dangers of reflexively buying into the conventional wisdom of the day. He was talking about the point a decade ago when we were told the nation had reached ‘peak oil,” meaning the high-water mark (to mix metaphors) of oil production had been reached. It would be all-downhill from there. It wasn’t. To Quote Petraeus: “Remember back when all the respected energy economists said we had reached peak oil production, and it was six million barrels per day? We are now over 12 million barrels per day. So really, quite extraordinarily, there are some punsters (pointing out) that the (Arab) Gulf States no longer have us over a barrel.” Remember this anecdote the next time some mis-educated millennial drops a ‘checkmate’ statistic on you to shut down any further discussion on a point of contention.

General David Petraeus (Ret.) speaking

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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 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

JUNE 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

ING FEATUR

Homemade Ice Cream

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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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

JUNE 2019

Snapshots of Island Visitors 2

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

1. Delfina, Malbina, & Mayra from Argentina 2. Samantha & Mike from PA 3. Andrey, Alexandra age 6, & Marina from WA 4. Payton & Hunter from SC 5. Lindsey & Inez age 2 from Orlando 6. Dan, Becky, & Alex age 2 from OH 7. Amy, Jackson age 9, Brittany, & Amar from MI 8. Karizma & Kynlie from NC 9. Jarred, Max age 4, Beth, & Benjamin age 2 from OK (first time for the boys going to the beach, and they ran right it!) 10. Erika, Isabelle 1 Â˝, & Chris from IL 11. Hannah, Jack 17 months, & Becky from Sarasota 12. Kaylan & Dylan from GA 13. Waylon age 4 & Spencer from Orlando 14. Bailee, Bree, & Maddie age 5 from Venice

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

Siesta Sounds

941.349.0194

By Charmaine Engelsman-Robins

Paul Crotty’s career takes off and he lands in Sarasota

traffic controller, retiring in 2010. He and his wife, Paula, have three (now grown) kids who are scattered about DC, Shreveport, and Jersey City. Paula is a speech therapist who worked in the school system up north and still enjoys working part time in her field. Their move to Sarasota was something of a fluke: they had no relatives there, had never been down for a vacation, but in 2011 it just so happened that an RV salesman in Olathe, Kansas, told them about a Sarasota, Florida, condo that he was selling for his father. Paul came down, looked around, took some pictures, showed them to Paula and they jumped on it. After they’d made their purchase they started taking minivacays, coming down about five times a year, winter and summer, taking advantage of the numerous school breaks Paula got year round for Christmas, Spring Break and pretty much any time they could slip down south. About a year after moving down in 2015 to be full-time Floridians, Paul got the idea to put an ad on Craigslist looking for a duo partner. Through sheer luck, serendipity, or fate, he first met local favorite Rob Garcia and they hit it off immediately. Rob introduced him to another established local player, Bain Beakly, and soon Paul was duoing with each of them as well as covering any solo gigs they asked him to, thus getting his foot in the door of the local music scene as a solo act. Paul plays piano, guitar, and harmonica and still enjoys his old heroes Elton John and Billy Joel along with others, and for him that’s one of the best things about working only as often as he wishes, performing what he loves for audiences that love what he offers. Another plus is working only in places he really likes to be, favorites among those the Daiquiri Decks; he’ll be playing the newest DD on the south end of the Key on Tuesdays, 4 to 8 p.m., in June. “It’s really fun playing there,” Paul says. “I love being able to choose my gigs and work where and when I want. It gives me a lot of control over my schedule and

At some point in our lives, most of us envision a dream career. A lucky few know what it is far enough in advance to start out on the right path from step one. Others go through a few false starts or longish term work situations before the writing appears on the wall. The least lucky either never know what their calling is and keep bumbling down all the wrong paths of the maze or … worse yet … know what it is but just can’t get it. In the years I’ve covered musicians and other artists for various publications, one thing that has become clear is that the bumper sticker wisdom is right: “The worst day spent (insert dream position here) is still better than the best day doing anything else.” Which isn’t to say it’s all perfect all the time; lots of players are happy to have a gig… any gig … rather than get stuck in a straight job. But this doesn’t guarantee that they’re going to get up on stage and play the music they love every time. Sometimes… most times … they have to play what the audience, or the band leader, or the club manager wants them to play, even if it’s something they’d never play or even listen to if they had their druthers. When Paul Crotty was a kid growing up as part of a musical family in Nebraska, making music was as natural as breathing. His mom and sister played piano and his three brothers all played guitar and sang. The sibs performed in school musicals and events, and then moved on to play out as a band. Most music loving audiences recognize the sound of family harmony because it’s somehow so special. The boys recognized this gift and when they played as a quartet they chose music that showed off their sound; Crosby Stills and Nash, John Denver, and other melodic covers with the quality song writing that best utilized their sound. Later, when Paul was in college, he worked as a single act doing primarily piano-man style gigs: five nights a week, four hours a night on top of a full class schedule. But to quote yet another bumper sticker “When you do what you love you never work a day in your life.” And he did love it. So you probably think he majored in music and, when he graduated, lived happily ever after in a full time music career. Mmmmmmmm no. Paul spent 25 years working in Kansas City as an air

CLUB BLASE CAFÉ In the Village 941-349-9822 DAIQUIRI DECK RAW BAR In the Village 941‐349‐8697

www.siestasand.net

MONDAY CLOSED MONDAYS

TUESDAY Evan Eastmoore (4,18,25) th Dana Lawrence (11 ) 7‐10 PM

WEDNESDAY Savanah Brady 7‐10 PM

THURSDAY

Sandi Grecco (6 & 27) Troy Nichols (13 & 20) 7‐10 PM

Paul Crotty my life and I don’t have to worry about burn out.” Though immediately after that statement he laughingly recalls how the last time he played there, two different birthday parties were in play and he had so much fun he ended up playing for five hours… after which he was invited to come along to the actual party at one of the celebrant’s homes. He passed, but had made a bunch of new fans/friends who would show up at his gigs regularly. “I guess the best thing about this is that we’re here living our best life,” he notes. Can’t ask for much more than that, no matter how or when it came to you.

FRIDAY Callie & The Whole Band 7‐10 PM LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ TJ (10 PM)

6‐10 PM th Kettle of Fish (7 ) Kid Memphis (14 & 21) th Strange (28 ) DJ KConn – 10 PM

SATURDAY Shift Change Band (1,22,29) th LIVE MUSIC (8 ) th Goodbyeeddie (15 ) 7‐10 PM

SUNDAY 2 ‐ 5 PM LIVE MUSIC (2,9,23) Bird Tribe (16 & 30)

LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ K Conn (10 PM) st 1 PM: Acoustic (1 ) DYMD (8,15, & 22) th Kid Memphis (29 ) 6‐10 PM Skyway (1, 8, & 29) th Bird Tribe (15 ) nd Ted Stevens (22 ) DJ KConn – 10 PM

BREE (3‐7 PM) 1 PM nd Kid Memphis (2 ) rd Skyway (23 ) 6 PM Bird Tribe (2,9, & 23) th Skyway (16 ) DJ Tuesday – 10 PM

GILLIGANS In the Village 941-346-8122

Rodney Shenk: 6‐10 PM

RPM LIVE: 6‐10 PM

6‐10 PM Mike Tozier (12 & 26) Deven Starr (5 & 19)

RPM LIVE ‐ 6‐10 PM DJ Nate – 10 PM

Lelu’s Coffee Lounge In the Village 941-346-5358

Eddie James Jazz Band 7‐10 PM

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

1‐5 PM: LIVE MUSIC Al Donadi 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: LIVE MUSIC Open mic night 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: LIVE MUSIC Kettle of Fish 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: Dana & Co. FolkLab 7‐11 PM

2‐6 PM Whiteleather 8‐Midnight LIVE MUSIC

11 AM – 2 PM LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM: LIVE MUSIC Mike Tozier 8‐Midnight

10 AM ‐ 1 PM LIVE MUSIC 2‐6 PM LIVE MUSIC 7 ‐11 PM: LIVE MUSIC

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

BACKROOM SALOON @ CAPT. CURTS 941‐349‐3885 Crescent Beach Shops 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 941‐921‐6200 1500 Stickney Pt. Rd. CASEY KEY FISH HOUSE 801 Blackburn Pt. Rd, Osprey 941‐966‐1901

DJ Coz & DJ Xtreme 10 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

Live Music 7-10 PM

Live Music 6-9 PM

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

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

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

Mike T or Kevin Thompson 5‐9 PM

7‐11 PM nd) Nick LeValley (2 th Ari & The Alibis (9 ) th Noel Rochford (16 ) Live Music (23 & 30)

DJ Coz or DJ Kensi 9 PM – 2 AM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

8 – 11 PM: 22N (1 ) th Tropical Ave (8 ) th No Filter (15 ) nd Stereo FM (22 ) th Torched (29 ) DJ Kensi: 11 PM – 2 AM

8‐11 PM: New Divide (7 ) th TL (14 ) st Dave Jones Dance Party (21 ) th Sweet Spot (28 ) Live DJ: 11 PM‐2 AM

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 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

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

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JUNE 2019

Island Humor Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Three friends from the local congregation were asked, “When you’re in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?” Artie said, “I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man.” Eugene commented, “I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people’s lives…” Al said, “I’d like them to say, ‘Look, he’s moving!’” Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God. Looking up, he asks the Lord. “God, what does a million years mean to you?” The Lord replies, “A minute.” Smith asks, “And what does a million dollars mean to you?”

The Lord replies, “A penny.” Smith asks, “Can I have a penny?” The Lord replies, “In a minute.” A man goes to a shrink and says, “Doctor, my wife is unfaithful to me. Every evening, she goes to Larry’s bar and picks up men. In fact, she sleeps with anybody who asks her! I’m going crazy. What do you think I should do?” “Relax,” says the Doctor, “take a deep breath and calm down. Now, tell me, exactly where is Larry’s bar?” Joe was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully, “Give me one last request, dear,” he said. “Of course, Joe,” his wife said softly. “Six months after I die,” Joe said, “I want you to marry Bob.” “But I thought you hated Bob,” she said.. With his last breath Joe said, “I do!”

A man goes to see the Rabbi. ‘ “Rabbi, something terrible is

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

6500 Gateway Ave • 941.554.8905

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Your very own island oasis happening and I have to talk to you about it.” The Rabbi asked, “What’s wrong?” The man replied, “My wife is going to poison me.” The Rabbi, very surprised by this, asks, “How can that be?” The man then pleads, “I’m telling you, I’m certain she’s going to poison me. What should I do?” The Rabbi then offers, “Tell you what. Let me talk to her, I’ll see what I can find out and I’ll let you know.” A week later the Rabbi calls the man and says, “I spoke to your wife on the phone for three hours. You want my advice? The man said, “Yes” and the Rabbi replied, “Take the poison.”

Conveniently located across from Turtle Beach is Turtle Beach Grill. Enjoy open air dining and Gulf breezes. Coming by boat, the bar restaurant is accessible, there is complimentary docking at Bayfront Yachtworks, ICW Marker #48 inter-coatstal Waterway. Turtle’s boasts of Siesta Key’s best “Happy Hour” – Daily from 3PM6PM, featuring exceptional beer, liquor and wine specials along with Happy Hour Appetizers. Come enjoy Live Entertainment Friday and Saturday 5-9PM on the Patio Deck. Turtles Beach Grill is also dog friendly on the Patio Deck. Located at 8865 Midnight Pass Road, open 7 days a week, 941-3492280, www.TurtleBeachGrill.com

A man was working out in the gym when he noticed a beautiful young woman. He asked his trainer, “What machine should I use in here to impress a girl like that?” The trainer looked him up and down and said, “I’d try the ATM down the hall.” A wife comes home dead-tired from working the late shift, goes directly to the bedroom to prepare her shower when she notices four legs sticking out of the bed. Angerly, she takes off her high heel and begins to whack away at the two blanketed figures. With shaking hands she heads for the kitchen to pour herself a stiff drink to calm her nerves. As she enters, she sees her husband pouring himself a glass of milk. “Hi sweetheart,” he says. “Your parents stopped by for a visit and were too tired to drive all the way home so I let them stay in our bedroom. Did you stop and say “hello’?” The reason Politicians try so hard to get re-elected is that they would “hate” to have to make a living under the laws they have passed. A wife, being the romantic sort, sent her husband a text: “If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you!!” The husband, typically nonromantic replied, “I am in the bathroom, please advise.”

Karaoke Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

John Garner

Roberts Realty

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

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COMMUNITY FOR HEALTH + WELLNESS

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

JUNE 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce events

May Networking Luncheon at Clayton’s Siesta Grille The Chamber’s May luncheon was hosted by Clayton’s Siesta Grille where our members enjoyed a delicious buffet featuring Cajun onion crusted salmon, Chicken Italiano, and polenta stuffed peppers. Thank you, Clayton and staff, for the wonderful hospitality! Also, thank you to the following businesses for donating door prizes: Concept Digital Media, Sherwin Williams, Elite Family Care, Your Observer, Cruisin’ Tikis and Mattison’s Forty-One.

Welcome our newest Siesta Key Chamber members. • Coastal Printing of Sarasota • Natalie Gutwein, Realtor • OPS • Siesta Rentals • Macy’s Siesta Key • TurnKey Vacation Rentals Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5114 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, 941-349-3800 April Business Card Exchange at Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures Thank you, Dawn at Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures, for hosting the Chamber’s April BCE! Our members loved exploring this unique shop filled with thoughtful gifts and products with a purpose like shirts made from recycled bottles and Blue Q socks that donate 1% of sales to Doctors Without Borders. No one went home empty-handed! Thank you, GEM Travel and Must Do Visitor Guides, for the door prize donations. Also, the shop’s neighbor, Big Water Fish Market, was kind enough to donate food for the occasion; thank you for the wonderful seafood appetizers!

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

Only For Eyes OPTICAL

OPENING SPECIAL

FREE FRAMES While Supply Lasts Pay For Lenses Only

See Us For S-49 EYEWEAR REPAIR 6541 Superior Avenue

SARASOTA 941.444.7984

+ Lounge. Z6557 Superior Ave. 941-312-5630, 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., 941924-5800. 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, 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 (GG51): 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: 941-924-8020 or visit their showroom. ROBERTS REALTY, Inc. (M5) 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 941924-2330 or drop by our office. Only For Eyes, Optical (S-49) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Experienced licensed optician available to fill your prescription. In their opening month they will have a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with licensed optician.

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

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

Fishing Around Siesta Key

Continued from cover proof

Fishing Sarasota Bay, the Manasota culture of Amerindians lived on sites spread parallel with the shoreline and feasted on whatever fish was abundant. Shellfish were another easy source of nutritious food and resulted in large piles of shells called middens. Barrier islands like Siesta Key were great sources of clams, oysters, and other shellfish. After the Manasota tribes were decimated by viral diseases brought by the Spanish invaders, the Sarasota area was sparsely inhabited. The only attraction was excellent fishing, but it was productive enough to draw fishermen from Cuba and satisfy the descendants of Spanish explorers. In particular, the plentiful mullet easily caught in nets was an ideal commercial fish when salted for preservation. But much more than mullet could be caught in the estuary between the mainland and the barrier islands of Sarasota County. There was abundant pompano, trout, red snapper, kingfish and numerous other species. Moreover, the shellfish supply seemed limitless, and all species were delicious and nutritious.

fishing shacks. The 500-foot-wide, 13 feet deep tidal inlet that became known as Midnight Pass was crucial in promoting estuary water flow/mixing and ensuring a passageway for fishing boats. Even more important, the mangrove forests along the shorelines ensured an ecosystem that maintained water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land, while providing essential habitat for fish. However, disruptions by dredging began as early as 1895 to fulfill the vision of an Intracoastal Waterway for commercial transportation that soon became obsolete when railway transport took over. Although the ICW clearly enhanced economic development, the first dredging destroyed the most prominent mangrove area (“The Mangroves”) near Phillippi Creek. Unfortunately, the last stage of dredging operations during 1962-67 was more destructive, culminating in migration and later closure of Midnight Pass. It is likely that the Bay’s shellfish habitat was destroyed then as well.

Commercial Fishing Opportunities Attract American Settlement

The Demise of Siesta Key Fishing in Recent Years

Stepping into history and taking advantage of the Armed Occupation Act, 21-year-old Bill Whitaker, Sarasota’s first white settler, arrived in 1842 after sailing a sloop south from Tampa. He quickly learned from several Cuban fishermen that Sarasota Bay was teaming with fish, so he established himself in commercial fishing. He caught enormous numbers of mullet when the schools were running in the winter. Bill observed that these panicked fish would leap in a frenzy out of the water to signal their presence in schools as wide as a hundred yards. The running mullet schools, in fact, were so noisy churning the water that that they actually announced their arrival. A fisherman as skilled as Bill could fill his boat in a matter of minutes. The hard labor was actually the cleaning, salting, drying, and packing the fish. Fortunately, he had a pre-existing, reliable customer base – the Cuban visitors who were happy to buy and offload much of their hard work to return home quicker for the lucrative Lenten sales to Catholics obliged to abstain from meat for 40 days.

Great Fishing Continues for 150 More Years Despite Threatening Developments Sarasota Bay and the Gulf waters continued to be productive fishing grounds for most of the 20th century. Until recent decades, the estuary around Sarasota provided more than enough seafood for the inhabitants and commercial fishermen. Consequently, there was no need for soup lines here during the Great Depression. In fact, the new settlement of south Siesta Key featured numerous

www.siestasand.net

To learn about the more recent problems with fishing around Siesta Key, I interviewed two experienced commercial fishermen— Woody Thames (AKA “Triple Tail”) and Chuck Vanness (“Kingfish”). Both had been quite successful. Triple Tail has been fishing the area for about 50 years and could catch a “cooler full” of tasty fish within an hour from the Ringling Bridge during the 1960s. Others comment on catching “more than 100 fish” from the Bay bridges during an action-packed morning. Both Triple Tail and Kingfish did very well until 1996, selling their gillnet-caught fish to the Siesta Fish Market. They commented on the exciting mullet runs that previously fed the Amerindians, Cubans, and first white settler. Mullet schools as long as a mile were fished from approximately Thanksgiving to January, and nets of appropriate mesh size were needed to catch them efficiently. Larger mesh size nets were used for pompano and other fish. In 1996, however, gillnets were outlawed— a damaging regulatory decision. Its impact was mitigated by crabbing opportunities and charter boat operations. Triple Tail and Kingfish at one time used as many as 1600 crab traps baited with pigs’ feet to catch delicious Gulf crabs and found reliable markets at Walt’s, Captain Curt’s, and several restaurants.

Tarpon catch during a morning of action-packed fishing on Sarasota Bay during the 1920s. Courtesy of Sarasota County Historical Resources from the Stanley Bartlett Collection with thanks to Larry Kelleher.

Siesta Key visitors and fishing guides pose in front of the Bay Island Hotel with fish caught nearby in 1913.

The Final Blows In addition to the overregulation beginning in 1996, Triple Tail and Kingfish attribute the destruction of fishing around Siesta Key to several mistakes related to the impact of overdevelopment, human misbehavior, and huge boats with devastating wakes. Not surprisingly, the most significant blow has

The famous Siesta Key Market where fresh fish were available year round, thanks to the deals that allowed commercial fishermen to dock their boats nearby and sell their catches.

come from red tide, particularly during 2018 when the combination of intensity and duration was greater than ever before. It was shocking for them to see dead dolphins, sharks, and even manatees while fishing between August and November. Even during a strong red tide period in 2003, there was much less impact as the large species were spared. Its destructive effect last year was significant enough not only to eliminate opportunities for commercial and sport fishing, but also it’s clear that at least 2-3 years will be needed for the fish to return to the nearby Gulf waters. Unfortunately, it will take longer— probably much longer— for great fishing in the Bay to return. Some self-proclaimed experts minimize the governmental/human impact, emphasizing that “red tide has always been around” and its initiation phase occurs 10-40 miles offshore. There is no question, however, that the 2018 red tide scourge is largely attributable to a cluster of mistakes such as mismanagement of Lake Okeechobee and dumping thousands of gallons of raw sewage and wastewater in Sarasota County. Sadly, fishing appears to be an unappreciated casualty.

You can read more about this topic and others in An Illustrated History of Siesta Key: The Story of America’s Best Beach, which is sold at both Davidson Drugs stores, Captain Curt’s gift shop, and Crescent Beach Grocery.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

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

Fellow guide Capt Ed Hurst (941) 928-3716 with a summer beach snook caught on fly

June will find Sarasota beaches lined with anglers in search of the ultimate gamefish, tarpon, especially early in the month. Catching these giants is really not complicated. Rig a 25 lb spinning outfit with 36” of 80lb flourocarbon leader and a 5/0 hook, then position the boat 100 yards off the beach and cast a live crab, pinfish, sardine, lure, or fly at any pod that presents itself. One benefit of the popularity of tarpon fishing is that pressure in the bay will be light. With many anglers “out on the beach” the bay will receive light fishing pressure. Bait will be plentiful; those proficient in cast-netting will have no problem filling their live-wells with frisky pilchards. Once the well is filled, you can choose to anchor up on a likely spot or drift across a large flat. Live shrimp is also deadly on most species, but as we move into summer the pinfish become more of a problem. Anglers casting artificial baits will do well with jigs, plugs, and spoons. The flats around both passes are usually productive for speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish, and ladyfish. However, we are still bouncing back from the pretty severe red tide from last year. Shrimp under a popping cork, live pilchards, and artificial lures are all productive baits. 4” Bass Assassin Sea Shad baits in Red/Gold Shiner and Glow/Chartreuse on a ¼ oz jig head will account for plenty of fish. Redfish will begin to school up on the shallow flats this month. A low, incoming tide is preferred, the fish will move up onto the flats with the rising tide. Scented soft plastics, weedless spoons, and topwater plugs work well for those who prefer to cast artificial lures. Live bait can be extremely effective, anchoring up and fishing potholes is a proven technique. You can count on one thing in June in Sarasota, it is going to be hot! One way to beat the heat is to fish in the evening and at night. Snook are nocturnal by nature and feed heavily in the dark. Working lighted docks and bridges is the most popular night fishing method. Anchor a cast away up-current of the light, then toss a live or artificial shrimp, baitfish, small jig, plug, or fly into the shadow line of the light. You may also catch mangrove snapper, speckled trout, ladyfish, jacks, and maybe even a tarpon fishing the bridges at night. Beach fishing for snook was fair last season. Hopefully, it will bounce back as well. Walk the beach in the morning, looking for snook in the surf line. Cast out a small spoon, plug, or jig in front of any snook that you spot. This is a great time to break out the fly rod, white baitfish patterns are best. Flounder, trout, ladyfish, mackerel, jacks, pompano, and other species will hit live and frozen shrimp and jigs off the Siesta Key beaches in June.

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.

JUNE 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Water World

Notes from the Island Fishmonger

Summer treats of the sea Seasons come and go with the change of weather, and the foods we eat also changes. Seafood is no exception. As Stone Crab season comes to an end until October, other edible seafood species become available. For instance, the Florida summer months are the season of the great El Dorado, better known as the Mahi-Mahi, which means strong-strong. This catch will be coming mostly out of the Key West area. Grouper is back in season and prices will drop back down to an affordable price range. The local commercial fisherman will be fishing the Florida Keys and middle grounds for both Black and Red Grouper along with a huge variety of Snapper. It doesn’t get any fresher than that. Did you know that there are over 17 different kinds of species harvested in the Snapper family and 6 different kinds of Grouper? Pink shrimp is in! The best shrimp in the world is caught right here in the Florida Gulf Coast from Ft. Myers to the Dry Tortugas and is available at your Siesta Key Big Water Fish Markets. It’s a bit more expensive than your imported white or brown shrimp, but our shrimp are worth the extra buck. You will know with your first bite of a Florida Pink Peel n’ Eat. Don’t forget about red and rock shrimp that are both summer shrimp. Florida favorites and a bit of unusual fish like Hogfish, Wahoo, Cobia, Trigger Fish, Parrot Fish, Triple tail, Lionfish, Pompano, octopus and fresh calamari will all come and go all summer long depending on our fisherman’s catch. If you go to the Big Water Fish Market website and sign up for our newsletter you will receive a weekly report about the week’s inventory straight from my captains’

reports. Florida spiny lobster season, alligator tail and Florida bay scallops will be in season over the summer and will be stocked on a regular basis at the Big Water Fish Market South as will plenty of summer Boston treats such as fresh scallops, halibut, cod, swordfish and tuna. We will also have great imports wild Alaskan or Irish salmon along with Chilean sea bass. Don’t forget about live soft-shell crabs, Maine lobsters, scallops, oysters and clams. We no longer have to worry about shellfish in the summer months as food transportation has become a perfected system. Overnight travel, refrigerated planes and trucks. Inspections by the FWCC we can now count on fresh sustainable deliveries to our markets for your consumption. For example, our PEI mussels from Canada are harvested and shipped the same day. We receive our salmon and all of the Florida and Boston products on a daily basis. Fish is hot and red meat is not these days. Let’s be heart healthy and live a long delicious life. Get in on the Siesta Key “Seafood Boom” as BWFM now has two locations on the island - the original on the south side and now a second location is open on the North side of the SK Village.

Live well...Eat fish Scott Dolan Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key – South location, 941-554-8101 217 Avenida Madera – North location, 941-552-8826 www.BigWaterFishMarket.com

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

June 2019

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

12:34a

High Tide 1.4

11:13a

High Tide 2.2

5:44a

0.9

7:25p

-0.1

6:35a

8:22p

5:24a

6:46p

1:29a

1.4

11:40a

2.4

6:08a

1.0

8:06p

-0.3

6:35a

8:22p

6:05a

7:47p

2:24a

1.4

12:11p

2.5

6:30a

1.1

8:50p

-0.4

6:35a

8:23p

6:50a

8:49p

3:23a

1.3

12:47p

2.5

6:52a

1.2

9:36p

-0.5

6:34a

8:23p

7:41a

9:51p

4:28a

1.3

1:27p

2.5

7:16a

1.2

10:25p

-0.5

6:34a

8:24p

8:38a

10:50p

2:14p

2.5

11:18p

-0.5

6:34a

8:24p

9:40a

11:45p

3:07p

2.4

6:34a

8:25p

10:44a

7:34a

1.4

4:12p

2.2

12:13a

-0.3

10:20a

1.3

6:34a

8:25p

11:50a

12:35a

8:05a

1.5

5:33p

1.9

1:08a

-0.2

12:24p

1.3

6:34a

8:26p

12:54p

1:21a

8:34a

1.6

7:13p

1.7

2:03a

0.1

2:17p

1.1

6:34a

8:26p

1:57p

2:02a

9:04a

1.7

8:57p

1.6

2:53a

0.3

3:48p

0.7

6:34a

8:26p

2:59p

2:41a

9:35a

1.9

10:28p

1.5

3:39a

0.6

4:59p

0.5

6:34a

8:27p

4:00p

3:18a

10:06a

2.1

11:47p

1.4

4:19a

0.7

5:58p

0.2

6:34a

8:27p

5:01p

3:56a

10:37a

2.2

4:53a

0.9

6:49p

-0.1

6:34a

8:27p

6:01p

4:35a

12:56a

1.4

11:07a

2.4

5:22a

1.0

7:35p

-0.2

6:34a

8:28p

7:01p

5:16a

1:59a

1.3

11:38a

2.5

5:48a

1.1

8:17p

-0.3

6:34a

8:28p

8:00p

6:00a

2:55a

1.3

12:10p

2.5

6:11a

1.2

8:56p

-0.3

6:35a

8:28p

8:57p

6:48a

3:46a

1.3

12:43p

2.5

6:37a

1.2

9:33p

-0.3

6:35a

8:29p

9:49p

7:39a

4:29a

1.3

1:19p

2.5

7:11a

1.2

10:10p

-0.3

6:35a

8:29p

10:37p

8:31a

5:05a

1.3

1:58p

2.4

7:56a

1.2

10:48p

-0.2

6:35a

8:29p

11:20p

5:36a

1.4

2:41p

2.2

8:55a

1.3

11:27p

-0.1

6:35a

8:29p

6:07a

1.4

3:31p

2.0

10:06a

1.3

6:35a

8:30p

12:00a

11:12a

6:39a

1.5

4:29p

1.8

12:08a

0.1

11:28a

1.2

6:36a

8:30p

12:35a

12:05p

7:11a

1.6

5:40p

1.6

12:51a

0.2

12:57p

1.1

6:36a

8:30p

1:09a

12:56p

7:45a

1.6

7:04p

1.5

1:34a

0.4

2:22p

1.0

6:36a

8:30p

1:41a

1:48p

8:18a

1.7

8:37p

1.4

2:17a

0.6

3:37p

0.7

6:37a

8:30p

2:13a

2:41p

8:51a

1.9

10:08p

1.3

2:58a

0.7

4:41p

0.6

6:37a

8:30p

2:45a

3:35p

9:23a

2.0

11:29p

1.3

3:36a

0.9

5:35p

0.3

6:37a

8:30p

3:20a

4:31p

9:57a

2.2

4:12a

1.0

6:25p

0.0

6:37a

8:30p

3:58a

5:30p

12:41a

1.3

4:44a

1.1

7:12p

-0.2

6:38a

8:30p

4:40a

6:32p

10:32a

2.4

Low Tide

Phase

New

1st

Full

9:25a 10:19a

3rd

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

Arts on the Horizon

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

By Rodger Skidmore takes place from 1-3 PM on June 16th when Ari and the Alibis return. Looking and listening not enough? How about doing? Your young ones, or you, can paint rocks, boots and leaves starting at noon on June 15th. Not images of rocks and leaves but on rocks and leaves. And not painting the boots that go on your feet but palm boots, the end of a palm frond that attaches it to the tree. More info on everything at Selby.org.

commissioned a new piece from Andrea Clearfield (Ha Galgal ‘The Wheel’) which will have its world premiere on June 6th at Holly Hall. This shows another nice thing about the SMF, you will be attending these chamber works at the Sarasota Opera House and/or Holly Hall. These are small venues where you can get up close and personal with the music. Many are familiar with Billy Strayhorn’s composition Lush Life. That tune is not being played at the festival but three of the most luscious of Brahms violin sonatas are, and all on the same evening, June 1st at the Opera House. There are 13 different concerts from June 1st thru the 22nd, some performed by the over 40 Music Festival Faculty Artists, others with the over 60 Music Festival Fellows (students and graduates of the best music schools around the world - Julliard, Cleveland Institute, Rice, Hochschule für Musik Berlin, Curtis, Eastman, etc.) - and some concerts with them together. More information Sarasotaorchestra.org/festival.

Not a musical about Bart Simpson’s Prom Night Visit Tahiti before it’s gone Sure, Sarasota is going to be under water by the year 2100 (or maybe 2030, who really knows?), as will The Maldives, the Solomon Islands, and Perth Amboy, New Jersey. But who really cares about these places? In the worldwide scheme of things, how important are they relative to the great arc of history? The greatest exports of the Maldives are fish and fish by-products; The Solomon Islands have the 155th largest export economy in the world (fish); and something fishy is always going on in Perth Amboy. But Tahiti, that is something else. Its greatest exports were the images of its people as painted, carved and chiseled by Paul Gauguin. His images are currently hanging in museums and botanical gardens all over the world - Paris, London, New York, Sarasota, Washington, and Rome. So, if you wish to see some of these, simply go to one of the listed cities - like maybe Sarasota - and see why they have had such a dramatic impact on the world of art. The ones in Sarasota will be gone from public view when the exhibition at Selby Gardens, Gauguin: Voyage to Paradise, closes on June 30th. While it is true that Gauguin had his way with a number of women, he also had a way with portraying plants (and, as in the image displayed here, apparently with giant lizards). There are 10 original wood cuts and wood engravings from a number of diverse collections to be seen. Also, to bring you back to the beginning of this particular arc, there are a number of photographs showcasing Tahiti from the time that Gauguin was there. What could be better than looking at Gauguin’s woodcuts? Perhaps looking at them while listening to music. June is when the Sarasota Music Festival is in full swing and members of the Sarasota Orchestra will be playing in the garden the evening of June 12th. For you. Also, a non-Gauguin related music event

Two approaches - one result We all love to hear great artists perform beautiful music. So, we go to our concert halls and listen to them play - and we love them. But think about it - if we hear a great violinist play for 30 years, what is happening to all those violinists graduating from Juilliard and Oberlin each of those 30 years? Are they not worth listening to? Or course they need to gain experience, and they can do that by playing outside of our art galleries on First Fridays, at Costco openings and Sears closings. But they need more, they need to play for you in a proper setting where you are seated and paying full attention to their interpretations of master chamber work compositions. And afterwards hearing your applause so that they know they’ve been appreciated. One of the nice things about the Sarasota Music Festival (of which there are many) is that you can hear the more experienced members of the Sarasota Orchestra (SO) play one day and bright new stars the next. And not just the orchestra players sawing away on Beethoven (although they do everyone* likes Beethoven) but with the new kids on the block playing new stuff. The seasoned players like to spice up their life with new and interesting pieces as well. Julie Landsman, horn player with the SO, previously principal horn player with the Metropolitan Opera, likes to show her chops and has

There are lots of Springfields in America and each has its own horror story - or story of glory. Interestingly enough, if you ever lived in Springfield before moving here you probably came from Springfield, Wisconsin. Why might it be Wisconsin? Because there are five towns named Springfield there. And one of those fair cities is the locale for the Off-Broadway smash from 1999 - The Marvelous Wonderettes (not to be confused with the sequel, The Wonderous Marvelettes). In this saga of American musical history, the story is about Springfield High’s 1958 Prom, and takes place in THE HIGH SCHOOL GYM. The entertainment for the Prom is a not-so-famous all-girl group, that won third place is a local talent contest. While they are entertaining the seniors at the dance, they are doing the same for us. And, at the same time, trying to outdo each other while stealing one another’s boyfriends. The big drama of the first act is determining who will be the Queen of the Prom. The second act takes place 10 years later during a high school reunion, where the girls again entertain. The nice thing about this plot device is that it permits the Wonderettes to sing songs from both the 1950s and the 1960s, all the while catching up on what has happened to each other as they traveled along the rocky road of life. Some of the selections are Lollipop, Dream Lover, Stupid Cupid and It’s My Party - 15 tunes in each act. Teen years can be emotional roller coasters so it’s nice that a show like this can, thru song, let you remember the high lights. Jason Cannon, the director of Wonderettes, earlier this year directed the stunningly funny Hand to God for Florida Studio Theatre. You can join the Marvelous Wonderettes at FST as they reflect upon their high school stardom thru June 16th. More info at FloridaStudioTheatre.org. And while you’re on that web site, check out The Wonder Years, a musical ride for the Baby Boomers thru June 9th and then on to June 11th for the start of Come Together (music from the 60s and 70s), which runs thru July 21st - both shows are at the Court Cabaret.

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 941-346-1024 for information. (Access #5 is in Siesta Village, where Beach Rd. meets Ocean Blvd.) • FREE YOGA - Mon.-Wed.-Fri.Sat. 8 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. 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… • JUNE –AUG (M-F) 8AM – NOON / PRNR SUMMER CAMPS: To download a complete list of summer camp activities for the kids or event guide, please go to Sarasota County’s website: www.scgov.net/ government/parks-recreation-andnatural-resources. • JUNE – AUG. (TUES) 5:307:30 PM / KIDS SUMMER BEACH RUNS: This is a one-mile fun run for kids of all ages. Weekly registration held at 5:30 pm with race time at 6:30 pm. Registration is on-site. All participants receive a ribbon and a popsicle. Free T-shirts are earned after 4 runs are completed. There is a

one-time, $1 registration fee. Contact County for additonal info: 941-8615000. • JUNE 1 (SAT) 7-11 AM / GREAT STRIDES WALK: Great Strides provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students, and colleagues to come together and make a difference. The event harnesses the power of people with a shared vision and encourages collaboration, team building, and leadership, as we take steps to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. See website for more info: https://fightcf.cff.org/ site/SPageServer?pagename=143_ gs_why_we_stride. • JUNE 8 & 9 (SA/SU) 7AM – 9PM / SSOVA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: SSOVA prides itself in the highest quality amateur beach volleyball tournaments. It is run for the players and by the players. Directors and staff are from all levels of play to ensure they provide what is best for the players. For more information, see their website: https://www.ssova.com/ about-us. • JUNE 15 (SAT) 7-11 AM / GREAT FATHER’S DAY RACE:

The Great Father’s Day Race is a 5K run/walk that the whole family can do together to create a unique, and lasting, family memory. The event is family-friendly and focuses on health and wellness, plus competition. The focus is to have families and friends get off the couch, get moving, and create exciting memories of fun and adventure. For more info go to: www.greatfathersdayrace.com/ sarasota. • JUNE 23 (SUN) 7:30 AM - NOON / RUN941 TRIATHLON: Honoring Sharon Butler. Bike 11 miles, Run 3.1, Swim ¼ mile. Register online: http://www.run941.com/ or email for a mail in form at rouillard64@ msn.com Early Packet Pickup: TBA. Race awards. Event participants will enjoy post-race food and beverages, Entry Fee: $75. 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.

• EXPRESS LUNCH & STUDY: Every Wednesday, Noon, at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Avenue (and 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. 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 kid-friendly 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.

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Your Monthly Horoscope ARIES (March 21–April 19): With your ruler, Mars, hunkered down in your home zone, you might not feel like going out more than absolutely necessary. But define “necessary”! A social Gemini new moon on the 3rd could see you kicking up your heels till the wee hours. And the full moon next to global Jupiter in your travel sector on the 17th might send you down an airfare search-engine rabbit hole. Avoid confrontation on the 23rd and 24th, even if someone is gunning for a fight! TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Your cosmic ruler, beautifying Venus, wraps up her annual visit to your sign on the 8th, so indulge in any “enhancements” or retail therapy before she moves on to activate your financial sector. For the rest of June, you’ll be focused on getting your budget back on track and watching your spending. Which isn’t to say you won’t be tempted by a few luxe pieces or epicurean meals. You’re not a Taurus for nothing! GEMINI (May 21–June 20): When your ruling planet, mental Mercury, joins go-getter Mars in your financial sector on the 4th, your mind will be on your money: making more, saving better, and possibly finding some very fun ways to spend it. You’ll be fielding advice from all corners, which may just serve to confuse you. Trust your own gut here, Gemini. But don’t do anything rash when Mercury opposes first Saturn and then Pluto on the 16th and 19th. CANCER (June 21-July 22): With energizing Mars in your sign all month, you should have plenty of vitality. The first week is ideal for a getaway, thanks to Venus in your community zone. Because your sign is ruled by the moon, you’re sensitive to its phases. A new moon in your introspective house on the 3rd could make you moody and wistful, but the full moon on the 17th could inspire a whole new fitness regimen. On your mark, get set, go! LEO (July 23–August 22): Where’s the party? That might be your mantra for the first three weeks as your ruler, the radiant Sun, lights up the social and communal sector of your chart. Catching up with old friends, making new ones, meeting intriguing dating prospects (if you’re single): It’s all on your June agenda. An ideal day (and night!) for romance is the 17th, when a full moon in your zone d’amour throws another log on your personal fire pit! VIRGO (August 23-September 22): A work or community project gets some gas when a new moon on the 3rd lights up your public zone and garners the support and recognition this thing deserves. On the 8th, creative, collaborative Venus enters that same area, making the “work” feel more like play. Some new friends could be lurking among your coworkers. There’s a lot of activity in all areas of life; the only challenge will be getting the quiet downtime you’re craving! LIBRA (September 23–October 22): When you’re not working 24/7, you’ll be itching to get away— bonus points if you’ve got an amorous plus-one to use your companion ticket. A new moon in your travel

By Suzanne Gerber

zone on the 3rd revs your engines for two weeks and gets a turbo-charge from Venus (your ruler), who rolls in on the 8th for the rest of June. Don’t play the “too much to do” card, Libra. Bang it out asap, and when all else fails, delegate! SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): Romance is percolating all month thanks to amorous Venus in your partnership realm. A new moon on the 3rd could bring an intriguing new prospect if you’re single (or spice things up if you’re not). Your two ruling planets (Mars and Pluto) form a rare but combative opposition on the 19th: Watch out for people trying to suck you into their dramas and conflicts. When you feel provoked, take the high road (or the nearest exit)! SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21): Spoiler alert: You might find yourself negotiating the best way to balance your needs with a partner’s this month, and you will probably have to compromise some key points. But try to reframe it not as “losing” but as winning—in love or business! A new moon in your dynamic-duos realm on the 3rd could give them the upper hand, but the year’s only full moon in your sign on the 17th levels the playing field. CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19): With your ruler, organized Saturn, retrograde till September, everything might feel like it’s “hurry up and wait.” And while certain things aren’t moving ahead the way you’d hoped, use this time to review and redo anything that isn’t up to snuff. With the year’s only Gemini new moon activating your health sector on the 3rd, it’s a perfect time to start or intensify your workout routines and green up your diet. AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Come out of your cocoon, Aquarius! Comfort-loving and sensual Venus has been holed up in your domesticity center for the past month, but on June 8th, she blasts into your house of creativity, romance and risk-taking! Where are you waiting for the universe to give you a gentle nudge—or major shove—to take action? Meet it halfway by taking a baby step to test the water. Chances are you’re going to be glad you did! PISCES (February 19–March 20): For once, you’re putting yourself first, so congrats on that! But don’t get cold feet or kowtow to a pushy manipulator just to keep the peace. On the 16th, your two rulers, Jupiter and Neptune, lock into a rare tangled angle, and how you react that day will set the tone for future interactions with this person. You don’t have to fight fire with fire; just stand your ground and honor your values!

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Wake & Shake Just roll out of bed...your hair looks great! Shampoo and towel dry.... and you’re done! The style is in the cut, not the blow-dry, so you don’t have to fuss with your hair to look good... even fine, limp or curly hair... and my new steam color process + Olaplex creates richer brunettes and spectacular blondes. The colors go deeper NEW LOCATION! and last longer, yet are far more gentle to the hair.

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”!

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ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 41 - 42 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 36

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: 8218 SANDERLING RD. SOLD FOR: $7,500,000 Offering one of the area’s most coveted lifestyles, this stunning beachfront estate property rests on over 4 acres between the Gulf of Mexico and Heron Lagoon in the serene Sanderling Club on Siesta Key. Here over 300 feet of direct beachfront, one of the most significant on the entire Gulf Coast, comes to life with spectacular outdoor spaces, extraordinary water and beach views, dramatic living quarters and resort like amenities all within a private compound. Upon turning onto the winding driveway and passing the entry walls of the main home, one is overcome by the meticulously manicured grounds, lush natural Florida foliage, Hollywood style pool and spa area, private tennis court, and just the sheer size and magnitude of the property. The perfect backdrop for indulgent relaxation or lavish entertaining both inside and out, the main home features just over 8,600 of living space including 5 bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, game room, sunroom and dramatic gulf front enclosed porch. The guesthouse, built in 2007, is located across the street on the quiet banks of Heron Lagoon and features an open great room plan with 2 ensuite bedrooms, large screened terrace and open deck with dock below. This property is truly extraordinary on its own, but as part of the Sanderling Club it offers a guard gated entrance, beach club, tennis courts, Paul Rudolph designed beach cabanas, children’s playground as well as dockage on the bay side of the island. There is potential to divide this property. The sale on this unit came out to $705.95 a square foot. Courtesy of Premier Sothebys. LOWEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY: 4522 BANAN PL.: SOLD FOR: $432,500 Lowest Priced Home on Siesta Key! This charming home with shutters and brick façade sits on a spacious lot with native landscaping and a sparkling lake view of Lake Nancy from your front door and is within walking distance to renowned Out of Door Academy. A stylish renovation completed in January of 2019 includes: new flooring in the main living areas, freshly painted interior and exterior, all new stainless appliances, new wood cabinetry installed throughout, new granite counters, new sinks and faucets and new bath wall tile complete the space. The open floor plan offers seamless entertaining and features a stone fireplace that makes this space cozy and inviting. The kitchen opens to the dining room and the Florida room featuring wood beams and views of the lush backyard. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms ready for friends and family. The spacious backyard has a deck for you to enjoy endless afternoons in the quiet shade of oak trees and even has room for a sparkling pool. This cozy home is perfect for your quiet escape, but still close to the activity of Siesta Key and only 1.5 miles from world-renowned Siesta Beach. Near the north bridge to the mainland, visit downtown Sarasota for an endless variety of arts and culture. Experience island living near the beach, the perfect complement to the laidback Siesta Key lifestyle. The sale of this property came out to $391.76 a square foot. Courtesy of Michael Saunders.

HIGHEST PRICED CONDO: 915 SEASIDE DR, #407: SOLD FOR: $2,255,000 Price Reduction! Direct water views provide spectacular vistas of the Gulf of Mexico. Exquisitely furnished beach front residence providing world class service and the ultimate resort lifestyle on Siesta Key Beach. Encompassing 2,255 sq. ft. of luxurious living, this exclusive residence boasts 3 bedrooms with a sumptuous master suite that is highlighted by a master bath that is beyond extraordinary. The gourmet kitchen

features state of the art appliances from Wolf, Sub-Zero and Fisher Paykel. Magnificent finishes throughout this spacious beach front condo make this residence truly one of a kind; the only building on Siesta Key that offers on site engineering services, housekeeping services and pool side cabana where you can enjoy lunch, a cocktail or both. The exceptional on site property management helps support the rental component and the lucrative rental income that has historically grossed over 170K; with owners still enjoying the property 8 weeks a year on average. You will appreciate the level of luxury and attention to detail throughout the residence and the property. Nothing has been overlooked! The sale on this unit came out to $1,000.00 a square foot. Courtesy of Sarasota Real Estate Company.

LOWEST PRICED CONDO: 8897 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #303 SOLD FOR: $270,000 Outstanding bay front furnished condo offers wonderful bay views, boat access / docking, across the street from Turtle Beach on the Gulf of Mexico so gulf views from the front of the unit. This one bedroom, one bathroom has tile floors throughout, open kitchen with breakfast bar, screened lanai overlooking the bay and community pool. This unit offers glass doors to enclose the room on the cooler evenings. Sunrise Cove Yacht & Racquet Club offers an oversized heated pool with a cabana overlooking the bay and a smaller more private heated pool, 49 boat docks for boating and fishing, two lighted tennis courts, a recreation room with kitchen and large flat screened TV for parties, billiard and ping pong rooms, on site management, men’s and women’s fitness rooms, lending library, two picnic areas with gas grills great for dining directly on the bay, WiFi in all the rental units, elevators in all four buildings, seasonal parties, yoga, water aerobics, card games and other activities. SCAT bus available across the street. The sale came out to $371.90 a square foot. Courtesy of ReMax Alliance.

A case for replacing the wooden bollard posts For those of us who live on Siesta Key... especially those who get up to the old fishing pier regularly, the installation of those wooden bollard posts (first photo) is simply an eyesore. It would have been so much better, and far more aesthetically pleasing for the town to have reopened beach road by installing precast cement blocks, like those used at the public beach (photo #2). If this were done, a few times a year, a Bobcat would be needed to push some sand around. For everyone (except the handful of homeowners/ developers on that end of beach road), this would be so much better. If the long-shot ‘Reopen Beach Road’ initiative bears fruit, this would be the way to go. The ship on this issue may well have sailed by now, and hindsight being so clear, it is still a shame to see what has happened to what was once a far more beautiful and accessible part of our island. Editor’s note: We welcome your thoughts on this resident’s idea.

Wooden bollards currently in place at beach access #2

By John Sollazzo / island resident

These precast cement blocks are located at the public beach

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

1122 Horizon View Drive

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).

875,000

429,900

797 Beach Road, #305

ING

322 Island Circle

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, deisgner kitchen. Crescent Royale offers an onsite rental program, heated pool and much more!

499,900

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 area 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 marina. Quality concrete block construction for peace of mind.

Siesta Key, FL

Beaches, Boating & Bistros!! Live the island lifestyle in this spacious 4 BR, 4 BA 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.

899,000

Tropical Sands Dan D. Miller 941-376-7442 Licensed Real Estate Professional

ddm1@comcast.net

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Continued from page 13

“I think that that was a little flaw,” he continued, in the design of the new amenities at Siesta Public Beach, which were completed in early 2016. When Ziegler asked whether staff could use some of the TDT revenue the board was discussing to create shade structures for trolley passengers, Nicole Rissler, director of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, explained that she and her staff would be working with Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) and Public Works Department staff members to determine funding sources for such a project. Whatever can be done to improve the situation, Ziegler responded, “would significantly improve the trolley experience …” Commissioner Alan Maio then explained that when the improvements were planned at Siesta Public Beach, the trolley was not in existence. (The Breeze was launched in March 2017. Ziegler was just elected to the commission in November 2018.) When the commissioners hold their final budget workshops for the 2020 fiscal year, Maio added that he was willing to bet that the majority of them would work to ensure money is set aside for the type of shade project Ziegler wanted to see completed. During that May 8 discussion, Maio also noted the fact that ridership numbers keep climbing for the Breeze. In light of that comment, an inquiry to Lisa Potts communications specialist for SCAT, if she had the April figure.

The number was 48,067, she responded in a May 13 email.

Condo Council seeking new board members In an email blast, the leadership of the Siesta Key Condominium Council reported that the organization is seeking new board members. “We advocate for issues of a general nature that impact our 90 or so Condo association members and provide three to four information Membership meetings per year,” the email blast said. Among the issues with which the Condo Council was involved last year, the email blast continued, were Benderson Development’s plans for the Siesta Promenade mixed-use project at the U.S. 41/Stickney Point Road intersection, red tide, the efforts of Save our Siesta Sand 2 (SOSS2) to prevent the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass, and Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ proposal for a boutique hotel on Old Stickney Point Road. The council’s four informational meetings this year focused on red tide; insurance and legal issues for condominium associations; and updates on a number of Sarasota County projects, including The Legacy Trail North Extension. “In the prior year we covered Hurricane Preparedness,” the email blast noted. “We also sponsor the Annual Condo Christmas Lighting Contest and perform Membership Surveys

for issues of concern,” the email blast added. “Our requirements are that you are a current Condo owner on Siesta Key and that you are a Condo Board Member or have served on a Condominium Board in the past and that you are willing to spend some time on issues of import to condominium residents on the island.” In addition to the membership meetings, the email blast pointed out, the council holds a board meeting each month from October through April. “Send an email to the skcondocouncil@hotmail.com if you are interested and a Board member will be in contact with you,” the email blast concluded.

Attorney in Siesta Promenade case meets SKA members Cape Coral attorney Ralf Brookes, who is handling the lawsuit in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court that seeks to halt the construction of Siesta Promenade, met Siesta Key Association members at their meeting on May 2. (See the related article in this issue.) President Catherine Luckner introduced him and asked him to offer some remarks. With decades of experience serving as the attorney for local governments, Brookes explained that his practice focuses on citizens groups. “I do not represent developers.” He added that he also tries “to tailor the services to make it affordable and give you a way to get into the courthouse.” Brookes noted some of the concerns of Siesta residents if Siesta Promenade is constructed, especially pointing to exacerbated traffic congestion. He pointed out that Benderson Development Co., the developer of Siesta Promenade, plans a new traffic signal at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Avenue B and C. The portion of Stickney Point Road between U.S. 41 and the island is a relatively short one, Brookes said, to have another traffic light with which drivers would have to contend — along with the openings of the drawbridge. Left-turn lanes would be necessary in conjunction with the redesign of the Stickney Point Road/Avenue B and C intersection, he continued, which would create even longer delays for vehicles waiting at the light.

Yet another new attorney for Cosentino On May 8, Siesta resident Mike Cosentino lost another attorney in his efforts to overturn the County Commission’s May 2016 vacation of a 373-foot-long segment of North Beach Road and ensure implementation of related county Charter amendments that voters passed in November 2018. Lee Robert Rohe of Big Pine Key began serving as Cosentino’s attorney in the original case after Ralf Brookes of Cape Coral withdrew. Continued on page 38

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North Beach Road vacation Representing Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road (RBR), Attorney Lee Robert Rohe of Big Pine Key filed the Motion to Dismiss on Oct. 25, 2018 in response to a crossclaim the county filed on Sept. 18, 2018. The county action was part of the original lawsuit Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road filed against the county in June 2016 to try to overturn the vacation of the portion of North Beach Road. In its September 2018 action, Sarasota County first challenged the constitutionality of the two County Charter amendments. On Nov. 27, 2018, Cosentino and 14 of the supporters of the Reopen Beach Road initiative appeared before the county commissioners during an Open to the Public period, chastising then-County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh and his staff for filing motions in the 12th Judicial Circuit that challenged the amendments. “There is nothing so sacred in our democratic society as the right to vote and have our vote counted,” one of the speakers, Linda Valley, told the commissioners. “And now you want to … disenfranchise every voter.” Cosentino added, “To use our tax dollars to pay the county attorney to suppress our will as expressed through our vote is unconscionable. You literally are pouring poison on the very roots of our democracy. … Please stop fighting the will of the people. Reopen Beach Road and preserve our precious public lands.” Responding to another speaker, Commissioner Nancy Detert said, “The voters voted. … We understand that. It’s a process; it doesn’t happen the very next day,” she added of implementing provisions of new Charter amendments. “We’re trying to go through the legal process in an orderly manner.” Commissioners have complained about the vagueness of the language of the second amendment, especially. Early this year, it was the focus of their decision to postpone a vote on a petition seeking the

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Continued from cover story

county’s vacation of a portion of a road in Venice that has a view of a body of water. In her May 10 order, McHugh wrote, “The county’s crossclaim adequately alleges a threat of immediate injury or intrusion on the executive/administrative authority of the Board of County Commissioners as provided by general law. The crossclaim further alleges that the provisions are void for vagueness.” In a Nov. 7, 2018 filing in the original case over the road vacation, Assistant County Attorney David Pearce wrote that the Charter amendments “create an immediate injury by requiring the County to re-acquire Beach Road and by contravening the express authority granted to the Board by general law to sell or convey land, vacate roads, and to create an annual budget.” McHugh further pointed out in her May 10 order, “The County is entitled to challenge the constitutionality of the charter provisions post-election.” Rohe, the attorney for Cosentino/ RBR, contended that the crossclaim was not viable because it arose out of issues in the original, 2016 lawsuit Cosentino filed. Moreover, the Motion to Dismiss argued that the previous judge in the case — Circuit Judge Frederick P. Mercurio — had found “there were no irregularities in the proposed amendment titles or ballot summaries”; thus, he allowed them to stay on the Nov. 6, 2018 ballot. Finally, Rohe alleged that the crossclaim “is a strategic litigation against public participation” — a SLAPP suit, which Florida law prohibits.

In regard to that last argument, McHugh wrote in her May 10 order that the crossclaim did not seek to challenge the petition drive Cosentino and his supporters pursued to gain enough signatures of registered county voters to get the two proposed Charter amendments on the Nov. 6, 2018 ballot. In response to a request for comment, Cosentino wrote on May 14, “I am encouraged by and agree with the judge’s order. We look forward to moving away from legal posturing and toward proving the constitutionality of our two charter amendments that received the overwhelming support of Sarasota’s voters this past November.”

Appeal involving part of original case still underway As for Cosentino’s original complaint against the county: Last fall, after Judge Mercurio entered an order affirming that he had dismissed all of Cosentino’s claims against Sarasota County, Cosentino and Reopen Beach Road filed an appeal with the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. Prior to the deadline for this issue of Siesta Sand, the latest notation in the online docket still showed that the court had given Cosentino until May 23 to file a reply to the county’s answer.

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Island Chatter The presiding judge at the time — Circuit Judge Frederick P. Mercurio — signed an order on March 29, 2018, making that substitution official. In his Motion to Withdraw as Counsel of Record filed this month, Rohe wrote, “Due to irreconcilable differences” between himself and Cosentino, they had “terminated their agreement.” Neither Cosentino nor the nonprofit organization Cosentino founded in June 2016 — Reopen Beach Road — “will be prejudiced by the undersigned’s withdrawal,” Rohe continued, “as they are also represented by a second attorney, co-counsel Fred Moore of Blalock Walters of Bradenton and Sarasota.” The Blalock Walters website says Moore’s practice “focuses on commercial disputes, with particular emphasis on representing businesses and individuals in contract disputes, land use and real estate litigation, construction disputes, and trust litigation.”

Continued from page 36

Ups and downs for the snowy plovers After weeks of watching over snowy plovers on Siesta Key, Kylie Wilson, the Florida Audubon coordinator of the Bird Monitoring & Stewardship program in the county, shared a lot of excitement in her April 25 update. “WE HAVE A NEST!!!” she wrote. “The banded plover Green/White, or as we have been calling her lately, Miss Sanibel, has laid an egg. This is our first Snowy Plover nest of the season in Sarasota!” On April 23, Wilson noted, “I observed the pair copulating and then they began taking turns vigorously working on a scrape. Then today it had an egg! It only has one egg now but it will hopefully have three by the weekend. Once Miss Sanibel has laid a ‘full clutch’ she will begin incubating!” A week earlier, Wilson’s update had a decidedly different tone. “I have only been seeing 2 pairs of plovers lately,” she wrote on April 19. “This is disheartening but there has been a lot of recent scraping and so these two pairs are still active.” Scrapes are shallow depressions in which the birds lay their eggs in the dunes or on the beach. Then on May 8, Wilson provided a sad update. “Unfortunately I have a some bad news to start — Miss Sanibel lost her nest this week. The culprit was most likely a ghost crab.” “Miss Sanibel” is the name Wilson and volunteers have given one of the female plovers because its banding indicates its earlier residency on Sanibel Island. “It is still early in the season,” Wilson continued, “and this pair could attempt to re-nest.” She and volunteers had seen a couple of snowy plovers around two beach accesses, she added, so she was hopeful she would have better news in the future.

McCrane quips, anecdotes and other advice

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In introducing the guest speaker for the May Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, President Catherine Luckner referred to the abundance of anecdotes Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane has accumulated through his long service not just in this county but also in other areas of Florida.

“He’s one of my favorite speakers,” she confessed to the approximately 60 people attending the meeting at St. Boniface Episcopal Church. (See the related article in this issue.) It did not take long for McCrane to grab the audience’s attention. For example, he pointed out that he took the Sarasota County job in 2005. On his first day, he said, “We were alerted for Hurricane Wilma. So what an introduction to the county.” Then McCrane explained that he soon learned that the sixth floor of the county Administration Center in downtown Sarasota — located at 1660 Ringling Blvd. — was rated to withstand nothing higher than a Category 2 hurricane; yet, that was where the Emergency Management Team was supposed to operate in a disaster. Having been through eight hurricanes in Florida prior to his employment with Sarasota County, McCrane said, “I didn’t want to be part of that mess” if a hurricane did strike this area. “What good is it if the Emergency Operations Center is dead? … We can’t help you.” He soon worked out an arrangement with the Sarasota County School District, he continued, so his staff could use Wilkinson Elementary School in Sarasota if a hurricane were approaching. That was the go-to location for his team from 2006 to 2015, he added. Then, in 2015, the county opened its new Emergency Operations Center on Cattlemen Road. “We’re 5 miles from the bay,” he pointed out of that facility. It can handle an EF4 tornado, he noted, and it is not expected to flood. “We’re selfsufficient there.” More specific to Siesta, McCrane told the SKA members he often is asked about what he means when he announces that bridges to the barrier islands have been “locked down” before a hurricane is expected to hit. “They’re locked in the down position,” he explained, “and all the arms are taken off.” Three days before a hurricane is anticipated to make landfall, McCrane continued, his staff issues a Notice to Mariners, advising all boat owners about the timeline for that bridge action. The notice gives them the opportunity to move their vessels, he pointed out. Then, after the bridges have been locked down, he said, Emergency Management works with law

enforcement agencies in an effort to station officers on the mainland side of each bridge, to keep people from heading onto the islands unless the people have a valid reason to do so - to reach a person who needs assistance, for example. Additionally, in talking about home preparations, McCrane noted that he was allowed three hours the day before Irma’s arrival to head to his own home so he could put up his storm shutters. When he reached his house, he said, he learned his neighbors across the street already had taken care of that work for him. When he went over to thank the neighbors, he added, he offered to help them with their preparations, but they said they had no shutters. He asked where they planned to stay, and they told him they would stay at home. McCrane said he then invited them to stay with his wife and dog. By that night, he continued, he believed 10 adults, three children and five dogs were gathered in his house, waiting for Irma. “I think they’re buying hurricane shutters now,” he added of his neighbors. During his presentation, McCrane also encouraged Siesta residents to sign up for CodeRed, a service provided by the county that will alert subscribers to tornadoes and other weather concerns, as well as approaching hurricanes. Before the days of widespread cell phone usage, McCrane explained, county staff was able to call people in vulnerable areas via landlines, to warn them when they needed to evacuate. Because of the change in the use of technology, he pointed out, those landline calls no longer are possible. People should register for CodeRed. “We will contact you through that.” During the question-and-answer session following McCrane’s remarks, one person asked whether it would be advisable to take full gas cans in their vehicles when they evacuate, with the expectation that it could take a long time for them to reach a destination out of the expected hurricane strike area. McCrane was quick to advise against such action. “That’s called a bomb, in my opinion.” However, McCrane said, if a person were able to strap cans to the exterior of the vehicle, that could work. He noted that military personnel often adopt that practice.

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Harbour Towne Yacht Club: A boater’s oasis with a home-like feel The community is comprised of five three-story buildings across 5.3 acres.

By Roger Drouin At the end of a garden alcove at Harbour Towne Yacht Club, a first-floor entry leads into a two-bedroom condo unit. Inside, the condominium has sweeping water views and a renovated kitchen. The lush landscaping and water views are just two of the signature features at Harbour Towne Yacht Club, a waterfront gated community of 50 town-home style units. This particular unit is listed for sale, for $569,000, by Bob Ruiz, of Key Solutions Real Estate. A multi-functional lanai overlooks a marina and a deeded, private boat slip that can accommodate a 43-foot vessel. The unit is one of five units currently listed for sale in the waterfront community. Harbour Towne is a gated enclave of 50 town-home style units in a lushly landscaped setting, located mid-Key, and a short walk to Siesta Beach. It offers canal and bay views from throughout the property. Of the 50 units, 25 are threebedroom condos and the other 25 are two-bedroom units. The units range in size from 1,217 to 2,326 square feet. All of the two-bedroom units in the community are singlelevel units, while the three-bedroom units are two-level (on the second and third floors). The deep-water boat slips and ideal location with no bridges to the Bay make the community a top choice for boaters, Ruiz says. “The water is no less than four-and-ahalf feet at low tide,” Ruiz said. “It’s straight across from Phillippi Creek, and the No Wake zone is less than a mile long, then you are out in the Bay.” Each unit comes with its own private, deeded boat dock. Harbour Towne Yacht Club is only a seven-minute walk from Siesta Public Beach, adds Ruiz, who also resides at Harbour Towne. But the community is also a draw for those seeking more of a townhouse style, rather than a typical condo. For instance, rarely found on the Key, Ruiz noted, each unit also includes its own full car garage—with walk-around attic storage— attached to the unit. In addition, owners are able to store a barbeque grill in the garage and grill just outside their unit. The community is comprised of five three-story buildings across 5.3 acres. The smaller scale of the buildings, along with the lush landscaping, and friendly neighbors, gives Harbour Towne a home-like feel for Kathy Roche, vice president of the board of directors and a long-time resident. A quiet, well-kept community “If you are coming in and new to the area, it is a great place to make warm friendships,” says Roche, who purchased a unit at Harbour Towne with her husband in 2000. The Roches are half-year residents on Siesta, spending the other half of the year in Ohio. While it is not the most glamorous feature, the fact that each unit includes an attached garage (with the storage space) was a major plus for the Roches. “Very few other condo units have garages,” Roche says. The couple keeps their car and a bicycle in the garage, but some neighbors store multiple bikes and kayaks in their garages. And the storage space above the garage comes in handy.

The other unique attribute of the community is the private, deeded boat docks. Roche says many unit owners keep boats, but some do not. “It’s a quiet, well-kept community,” Roche says of Harbour Towne. The community is fully funded with reserves, and sets aside a portion of HOA fees for regular, long-term maintenance such as roofing and paint. Community amenities include a heated pool and spa, tennis court, clubhouse with full kitchen, and covered pavilion with grills. The club house was renovated five years ago, Ruiz says. The pool deck and resurfacing was done three years ago, and pickle ball courts were added two years ago. But perhaps one of the nicest attributes is the neighbors that make up the community, Roche says. Often an informal social gathering will take place at the club house after a few residents start talking at the pool. “Residents gather most evenings at the pool/clubhouse,” adds Ruiz. “Because of the docks, boats, and grilling outside the unit, residents frequently run into each other making for a very congenial community.” Renters are welcome, Roche adds, but the community’s one-month rental minimum encourages seasonal and fulltime residents. As a result, it is an owner-driven community. More than 80 percent of owners are owner/residents, estimates Ruiz. The monthly homeowners’ fee is $600, which both Roche and Ruiz note is very reasonable considering the deeded boat docks and other amenities, such as the pool and club house. One trend Roche has noticed is her neighbors will purchase their condo before they retire, and as they retire, will spend more time at Harbour Towne. “Before retirement, it is used as a getaway, and as they retire, they stay fulltime or more of the year,” she says. Recent and pending sales over the past year have ranged from $345 a square foot to $452 a square foot. •Topping the higher end of the sold prices, a 2,326-square foot unit with three bedrooms and three baths sold for $818,000, or $352 a square foot. The retreat, which sold this May, offers full Bay views and a completely renovated interior. The unit has master suites on both levels, and, according to the MLS listing, the home reflects the soft, sandy tones of the island, especially in the impeccable kitchen adorned with exquisite granite and solid wood cabinetry. •One two-bedroom unit, with 1,450 square feet, sold in October, 2018, for $655,000, or $452 a square foot. The unit was completely remodeled two years previous, including new impact resistant sliding glass doors. This first-floor unit has oversized bedrooms, double master walk-in closets, a private brick patio and extra parking space, and features full harbor views, and a deeded boat slip that can accommodate a sailboat/boat up to 43 feet. The unit was offered turnkey furnished. Five current listings include a pair of listings by Ruiz. The two-bedroom unit with the garden-alcove entry has

1,343 square feet. It is situated all on one-floor, and the large master with water views is open to a dual-sink bath with separate, tiled walk-in shower. The spacious lanai overlooks the marina. According to the MLS listing, “multi-functional, the lanai may be used as a den/office, alternate dining space, or to accommodate overnight guests.” The listing works out to $424 a square foot. • Another listing by Ruiz has two-bedrooms, two baths and 1,217 square feet. The unit has an open floor plan, including new granite topped wood cabinets in the kitchen. The fully renovated master bath features dual sinks and a walk-in shower. A second bedroom and bath are ideal for guests. It is listed for $539,000, or $443 a square foot. • A three-bedroom, three-bath unit is currently listed for sale for $719,000, or $393 a square foot. The condominium has a full view of Reigel’s Harbor and a large boat slip complete with boat lift. Inside, the unit has vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light, updated bathrooms and new ceramic tile floors.

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Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

CONTRACTORS

• Best Western Plus Siesta Key – AAA -3 Diamond Property, • Hawk’s Nest Construction Inc. is a certified Class A general Free shuttle service to and from Siesta Key 941-924-4900, 6600 S. contractor licensed in all phases of construction. Owner, Mark Tamiami Trl., Sarasota Hawkins Sr. personally oversees every aspect of your project from start to finish, using only the best and most reliable licensed artisan • Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms. and craftsmen. His passion is delighting his clients by turning their Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500 home-improvement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-6509499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com

BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS

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• 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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Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran • 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

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• 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.

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TRANSPORTATION CONTINUED

• 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

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SPORTS RENTALS / ACCESSORIES • Robin Hood Rentals – for all your Siesta Key rental needs with a wide variety segways, bikes, kayaks, scooters and more, free pickup and delivery anywhere on the key. 5255 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key Village. 941-554-4242 • Siesta Key Bike & Kayak – Located on Siesta Key in Capt Curts Village serving Siesta Key, Lido Beach and Sarasota. We offer bikes, kayak rentals, kayak eco tours, paddleboards and scooters. 1224 Old Sickney Pt Rd. 941-346-0891 • Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797

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30 941.735.4732 $

• 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, $989,500. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 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, $499,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz. Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. • 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. • 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.

• HARBOUR TOWNE YACHT CLUB - Across the street from Siesta Beach with a private deeded boat dock and water views! Renovated two bedroom, two bath. One car garage with attic storage. Gated community on a deepHOMES FOR SALE water marina. Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickleball, clubhouse. MLS# A4433033, $539,000.00 Key Solutions Real Estate • CO-OP OPPORTUNITY NEAR SIESTA KEY: Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941$104,900. Mobile Estates is a resident owned 55 plus 400-4186. community located in a prime location one mile from Siesta Key in Sarasota. This home has been meticulously restored. • TRULY FABULOUS 2/2 WITH PRIVATE BEACH A beautiful single wide mobile home with one large ACCESS. Completely renovated TOP FLOOR END bedroom and one bath with a large attached lanai and shed. UNIT with exquisite finishes and furnishings the unit is Maintenance fee $160 month. Website: 2042champion.site being sold, turnkey. The open floor plan with SOARING for more info. Call Scott 215-266-0402. CEILINGS features a huge living room with views of the ICW and Bay. This is truly a must-see. 6285 MIDNIGHT • SHORT WALK TO SIESTA BEACH: $429,900 PASS RD, #307, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS#A4410196, 195 Vista Hermosa Circle, #9-A, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# $662,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255. A4189942 beautifully remodeled, 2 BR, 2 BA villa. Designer tile & carpet throughout. This villa is being sold turnkey • ENJOY STUNNING SUNRISES AND SUNSETS furnished (with some exclusions). Dan Miller, Re/Max from this lovely two bedroom, two bath PENTHOUSE Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 condo at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. If you seek incomparable views look no further - wake to awe-inspiring • PALM ISLAND HOME ON THE GRAND CANAL: sunrises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and $875,000 marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. 322 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4199085 9393 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #P2, SARASOTA, FL 34242, Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master BR and MLS# A4406101, $499,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941master BA. This house boasts a new boat lift on the Grand 894-1255. Canal. Privacy abounds with a lovely tropical view across the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level. Dan Miller, Re/ • GORGEOUS WATER VIEWS Deeded BOAT Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 SLIP (boat up to 45’ length) come with this TURNKEY FURNISHED 3/3 townhouse that shows like a model home. • DEEDED BEACH ACCESS: $875,000 This rarely available unit features TWO FULL MASTER 1122 Horizon View Drive, Siesta Key, FL., MLS# SUITES, loft/media area, and oversized guest bedroom the A4420716. This is one of the closest properties to the beach list goes on. 1215 DOCKSIDE PL, #204, SARASOTA, FL without having the direct beachfront price on a street of 34242, MLS#A4215997, $829,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, multi-million dollar properties. This immaculate pool 941- 894-1255. home features large rooms and volume ceilings. Lovely oak floors and stylish tile will dazzle you. 3 Bedrooms and • YEAR ROUND SUNSETS! This 10th-floor unit is 3.5 bathrooms along with the lower level bonus area for perfectly positioned to enjoy gorgeous beachfront views! generational living or guests. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical A very spacious, light, bright, clean and cared-for condo Sands. 941-376-7442 with a split floor plan and walk-in closets. The hurricane impact sliding doors (replaced 2018) lead from the living • ACROSS FROM PUBLIC BEACH: $685,000 room and bedrooms to the huge screened lanai. Furniture is 1001 Beach Road, Siesta Key, FL., MLS# A4426862 negotiable. 6300 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #1009, SARASOTA, Enjoy views of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and Siesta Key FL 34242, MLS# A4425862, $980,000, Key Solutions Real canals from the 6th floor of your two large terraces as well as Estate, 941-894-1255 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

• CANAL FRONT HOME: $999,000 5157 Sandy Shore Ave, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4427877 All Ports In Florida on a quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” street. Split plan Stress Free • Smooth and Easy 4 bedroom & 3 bath 2,493 square foot home with recently Ask for Eddie updated kitchen & bath. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders for added storm security. You • Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free will love lounging around the large pool on this oversized service on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. lot (14,352 SF) and dock with lift on the wide canal with Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200. easy access to world class boating & fishing. Dan Miller, • Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 or taxi. Call 941-735-4732

HOMES FOR SALE

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Blooming This Month - GARDENIAS

Gardenias are generally found outdoors in southern regions and are admired for their glossy green foliage and fragrant blossoms. These beautiful plants are grown as ornamental shrubs in warm regions. However, they are very particular about their growing conditions and require some consistent maintenance in order to keep beautiful. Once you understand what a gardenia needs to survive, growing them is very rewarding. Well-drained, acidic soil is ideal for gardenias. Moderate humidity assures a healthy plant. Adding peat moss to the soil will benefit your plant by helping it retain moisture without becoming too wet. While the gardenia likes humidity, misting the leaves can cause problems. Water droplets can lead to fungus on leaves. You don’t want to place it under plants that drip onto its leaves. A lack of air flow also causes fungus. Outdoor gardenias prefer full sun, with some shade in the hottest summer months. Save the Dates: 12/6/19-Holiday High Tea; 2/10/20-Fashion Show (SHIVOO GARDEN PARTY); 3/14/20-Gardens in Paradise Tour and Plant Sale. Submitted by CJ Danna, Sarasota Garden Club. www.sarasotagardenclub.org

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

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

Sarasota / Bradenton Intl. Airport..............941-359-2770

Corkscrew Deli: Landings Shopping Plaza * ...................4982 S. Tamiami Trail

Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT)........941-316-1234

Culver’s.....................................................................................7520 S. Tamiami Trail

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce..............941-349-3800

Dutch Valley Restaurant.......................................................6721 S. Tamiami Trail

Sheriff / non-emergency..............................941- 861-1601 Waste Management.......................................941-924-1254

nerWord Search

Answers to the WORD SEARCH found on page 33 www.TheMariner.com

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.

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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 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.

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

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

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

JUNE 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Yoselin from Miami, Jonah from Miami, & cousin Xiomara from Columbia

Siesta Sand

JUNE 2019

941.349.0194

Island Girl

Samantha

This month’s Island Girl is Samantha of Kansas City. Caught her enjoying spring break on amazing Siesta Beach with her Missouri State University classmates. Sam is a fashion major and owns a vintage clothing business on Instagram called “Springy Jeans.” If you would like to be considered for our next Island Girl, contact us at islandvp@verizon.net

(You must be at least 18 years old to participate)