IV Siesta Sand - September 2019 by Brion Palmer

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SIESTA SOUNDS Meet singer/songwriter (and now dad) Justin Layman... with live music schedule

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Siesta Key Bar becomes The Destination to watch every game starting Aug 31. Go Blue! page

FLAG CEREMONY Special tribute ceremony honoring our local Siesta Key Sheriff’s deputies page

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY

Fire Station 13 on Siesta Key County fire chief talks of temporary quarters for Station 13 crew as Siesta facility is rebuilt As the Sarasota County Fire Department prepares for the rebuilding of Station 13 on Siesta Key, county staff has been negotiating for temporary space in the building standing at 5700 Midnight Pass Road, to keep the firefighters/ emergency medical technicians (EMTs) close to their current location. That was news Fire Chief Michael Regnier provided about 30 members of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) during their regular meeting on Aug. 1. A sign in front of the 5700 Midnight Pass Road structure in early August advertised space for lease, noting the availability of units ranging from 960 to 1,400 square feet and the “Great Parking.” The plan, Regnier said, is to begin construction of the new, two-story fire facility in the spring of 2020. “It’ll take about 12 months to build the station.” And, he noted with a smile, “It will have a fire pole.”

“We are in the process of going out to bid on the fire station,” Regnier told the audience. In the meantime, he continued, if negotiations with the broker for the building to the immediate south of the fire station proved successful, the county would remodel space in that structure to accommodate the staff assigned to Station 13 and keep the fire and rescue equipment out front. The firefighters are not worried about having to adjust to the temporary quarters, he added. “That’s not an issue, as far as inconvenience.” The new station, he said, will be designed with a smaller footprint. The facility will be similar to the two-story fire station at 3110 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, Regnier said, as well as the one on U.S. 41 near the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall, which stands at 8821 S. Tamiami Trail. “Those are the size concept,” he added, of the new Station 13. Continued on page 11

Coconuts Outlet Store closing

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Rendering of proposed ‘Fire Station No. 13 (Siesta)’

By Bob Stein

Siesta Key Chamber Celebrates 60 Years (1959-2019)

After 37 years, owner John Cannon informed Siesta Sand, of the closing of his Coconuts Outlet Store in the corner of Captain Curt’s Plaza, directly behind Captain Curt’s restaurant. A Siesta Key favorite for years, families have been shopping at Coconuts Outlet Store for generations. You’ll still be able to shop at their Coconuts main store, next to Crescent Beach Grocery, which will remain open. The store will be closing at the end of September. Everything must go, Clothing/

It’s time to Shake, Rattle, and Roll like it’s 1959. In celebration of their 60th anniversary, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 1950’s/60’s themed party, Friday, October 4 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill, 5253 Ocean Boulevard, Siesta Key. The event is open to the public and tickets are $19.59 each. Advance tickets are required, and include food buffet, dessert, discounted drink specials, music, dancing, and more! Guests

Page 4 For your health, all nautral bone broth from Alpine Steakhouse

Bags/Jewelry/Crocs- $5 $10 $20 and 50% off racks- Open Daily 10-6. Located at 1218 Old Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key in Captain Curt’s Plaza. Continued on page 15

are encouraged to dress in 1950’s and 1960’s attire! The Chamber also has a limited number of commemorative 60th Anniversary ornaments available for purchase. The unique 3-D design depicts an iconic lifeguard stand on Siesta Beach. Ornaments are $30 each. For more information and to purchase tickets and ornaments, go to www. siestakeychamber.com, o r call the Chamber office at 941.349.3800.

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SKA maintains City of Sarasota has failed to issue adequate determination that dredging of Big Pass will not violate city policies

Siesta Promenade, oral arguments sought in lawsuit challenging County Commission approval

County speaker discusses the final stage of demolition for the Old Wastewater Treatment plant see SKA ad

• Village Map/business listings PAGE 18 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 20 • Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 14 • Island Humor PAGE 23 • Accommodations Map/ Listings PAGE 35

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Call it a stalemate In June 2018, SNL learned that a rope-and-post system had been installed on what appeared to be county right of way at the intersection of Avenida Messina and North Beach Road, next to Beach Access 2. In response to an inquiry at that time, county staff reported that the rope-and-post system was indeed in the county’s right of way. “Staff will be contacting the owner to get it removed,” thenMedia Relations Officer Ashley Lusby wrote in an email. The rope-and-post system had appeared after the Sheriff’s Office substation leader at the time — Sgt. Jason Mruczek — had fielded a lot of complaints at Siesta Key Association meetings about large numbers of young people partying at Beach Access 2 at night. More than a year later, the posts are still in place, but the ropes are pretty much gone. And county staff still is trying to rectify the right of way encroachment issue, Media Relations Specialist Brianne

Happiness Is… Back to School School supplies, new clothes and shoes, the excitement of seeing friends again. Oh, the fond memories of a new school year. It never gets old. As an empty nester, Jerry Williams, owner of Abel’s Ice Cream, says it’s so much easier to look back now and think about those fun memories instead of the frantic rush most of us experience in the last few weeks of summer leading up to the new school year. But if you’ve been busy with school supply lists, confusing schedules, and back to school nights, rest assured that the friendly folks at Abel’s can help you power through with their amazing Stellar Coffee Ice Cream (If you’re a coffee lover, this is a must have…there is no Jerry and Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream better!!! Rich Coffee Club® ice cream with delicious fudge and mini dark chocolate is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, in the coffee cups.) It’s the perfect pick-me-up South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday treat for mom or dad. And every super kid deserves to be rewarded with from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Superman Ice Cream (Kids # 1 superhero flavor... Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at their website, Vanilla flavored ice cream in vibrant red, yellow, & blue www.abelsicecream.com or connect with them on colors.) What a fun way to celebrate a day or week Facebook or Instagram. well-done! Awarded their So, whether you’re looking for a little down time Certificate of Excellence or wanting to celebrate with the whole family, there’s for SIX years straight! no better place to do it than Abel’s. Abel’s Ice Cream

www.siestasand.net

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Remainder of rope and post system at Avenida Messina and Beach Road

Grant reported this week. As for what happened to the ropes: On Jan. 5, the Sheriff’s Office took a report about the ropes having been cut. The representative of the Sunset Point Condominium Association who contacted the Sheriff’s Office indicated that the incident must have occurred sometime between 4 p.m. and midnight the previous day, the report noted. The “thick rope fence” was estimated to have been approximately 100 yards long, the report added. The damage was put at $3,600. “The complainant advised there were no witnesses to the event, nor are there any surveillance cameras on the property,” which could have captured the incident, the report explained. The narrative of the report did explain that the officer had learned from the condo association representative that the association had installed the rope barrier to separate the roadway from Beach Access 2. When the officer checked the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office website, the report continued, the officer found that the property appeared to be Sarasota County right of way. The condo association representative then told the officer that “a small section (grass area)” of the parcel at 49 Beach Road “belongs to the County,” the report said. The association representative added that she maintained the grass area and

Open in September!

that the county had cited the association for installing the rope. However, the report noted, according to the association representatives, the citation for encroachment on county right of way had been dismissed. The officer finally concluded the report by writing that, after reviewing the county Geographical Information System (GIS) map of the area, the officer had determined “there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a crime was committed.” After the News Leader learned of that incident, in April, this reporter spoke with then-Sgt. Paul Cernansky, who was still leader of the Siesta Key Substation for the Sheriff’s Office. (After his promotion to lieutenant in late April, Cernansky was given a new assignment.) During the April 11 telephone interview, Cernansky reiterated the facets of the incident report that said no witnesses to the January incident could be found, so the Sheriff’s Office had no suspects. “All leads were exhausted.” A detective had looked into the case, he pointed out. With no leads, the case was classified as Inactive, Cernansky said. Then it was reclassified as a Public Service Call. SNL learned about the January incident by reading an exchange in the county’s public email folder. Continued on page 30

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941.349.0194

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

New tentative timeline for conclusion of road swap involving Rachel Brown Hackney Siesta Key and River Road By SarasotaNewsLeader.com If the tentative timeline proves out, the Sarasota County Commission in late September finally will be able to vote on the swap of Siesta Key roads to the county, in exchange for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) taking over River Road. The county has been negotiating the deal for more than two years. County Engineer Spencer Anderson told SNL he is working on a schedule calling for the commission’s review of the draft agreement during a regular meeting on Sept. 24 or 25. In exchange for making River Road a state road, the county also will assume authority for the portion of Stickney Point Road west of the intersection with U.S. 41. The other Siesta segments to be transferred, designated State Road 758, encompass North Midnight Pass Road, part of Higel Avenue and part of Siesta Drive. Members of the Make Siesta Drive Safer committee of the Bay Island Siesta organization especially have talked of their eagerness in seeing the transition completed. They have been focused on plans for FDOT to assist the county with a number of long-sought improvements at the almost 90-degree curve where Siesta Drive meets Higel Avenue on the northern part of the barrier island. They also are hoping they can convince FDOT to lower the speed limit over a greater stretch of the road. At SNL’s request, FDOT District One spokesman Brian Rick provided the publication a copy of the draft Roadway Transfer Agreement. Formally, the draft calls for a transfer to the county road system of State Road 72 (Stickney Point Road) from U.S. 41 to State Road 758 (Midnight Pass Road), except for the drawbridge; and the transfer of State Road 758 from Stickney Point Road to U.S. 41, except for the Siesta Drive drawbridge. The segment of Stickney Point Road from U.S. 41 to the Midnight Pass Road intersection encompasses 0.980 miles, the document says. The affected portion of State Road 758 covers 5.771 miles, the document notes. The state will take over North River Road from U.S. 41 to Interstate 75, the document adds. That is a distance of 5.302 miles, the document points out. The date that occurs, the draft says, will be the date FDOT will begin its work on the improvements.

County commissioners long had sought a way to achieve the widening of River Road, along with other needed improvements — including better drainage systems — as residential growth increased in South County. No matter how much lobbying they did in Tallahassee, however, commissioners bemoaned the fact that state leaders insisted River Road would not be a priority for state funding as long as it remained a county road. The Atlanta Braves’ decision in 2017 to relocate the team’s Spring Training operations to a new complex in the West Villages heightened board members’ desire to find a way to achieve their River Road visions. The commissioners no longer were focused just on burgeoning residential growth. At that point, they were talking about the potential for thousands of Braves fans from the Southeastern United States to come to Venice and North Port in the spring to see the team play. Then-County Administrator Tom Harmer first publicly broached the idea of the road swap during the Sept. 13, 2017 County Commission meeting. A Sept. 6 memo to Harmer from Anderson, who then was interim director of the county’s Public Works Department, said, “Possible advantages of this transfer … may include advanced funding and construction of River Road between West Villages Parkway and I-75.” During the September 2017 meeting, Harmer told

the commissioners he had talked about the swap with L.K. Nandam, secretary of FDOT’s District One, which includes Sarasota County. At one point, county staff seemed hopeful that the agreement could be completed before the end of 2018. In an early May update, county Public Works Director Anderson reported he expected the conclusion of the swap to take place “this summer.” Asked about the longer timeline to reach this point, Rick of FDOT wrote in an Aug. 14 email, “The Florida Department of Transportation is still negotiating the agreement with Sarasota County. We have a majority of the details worked out and agreed upon. However, there are still one or two items we are actively negotiating on that would change the language in any draft agreement someone may have. We have tried to get this agreement completed sooner, but on average, most major roadway transfers like this take at least a year or two to complete.” One reason for the delay was FDOT’s decision in the late fall of 2018 to move up its funding allocation for its construction of the River Road improvements from the West Villages Parkway to I-75. Instead of keeping that project in the 2024 fiscal year, as the department had announced earlier in 2018, FDOT said it was preparing to undertake the project in the 2021 fiscal year. County staff reported that the change in the timetable would allow for the construction of all of the River Road improvements from U.S. 41 to I-75 to begin in FY21, as the county already had scheduled its River Road project from U.S. 41 to West Villages Parkway for the same year.

Other facets of the draft agreement

After the road swap, the draft agreement says, the county will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of its portion of Stickney Point Road, including “all traffic stripes and markings, raised pavement markers, asphalt pavement, sweeping, litter pick-up and graffiti removal, signs owned by the local agency, roadway lighting, underdeck lighting, seawalls and parking lots.” The same language covers the State Road 758 segment.

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

941.349.0194

Alpine Steakhouse’s signature all Natural Bone Broth For this new and popular craze in healthconscious eating we are doing all of the work for our customers. We take the time to slow roast all of our bones to intensify the flavor and color of the broth. This is a very traditional method that chefs have been using for hundreds of years. We use only hormone and antibiotic free meats in the store; therefore, all of our broths are hormone and antibiotic free. That being said, we also us the freshest produce available to strengthen the flavor of our broths. We offer broth flavored with celery, carrot and onion, a classic mirepoix, and we also have a few varieties that will have the addition of freshly grated ginger and apple cider vinegar. All of the broths, after the bones are roasted, simmer on our stoves for at least 24 hours. The thought process behind such a long cook time is it will help blend the flavors from all of the vegetables, meats and seasonings added. After the broths are simmered all of the residual fat is removed and the broths are frozen immediately for sale in the meat market. There are many people who swear by the health effects of bone broth. It is said to aid in digestive issues and provide a great source of protein to customers either with difficulty swallowing, or those that

are restricted to a liquid diet. Many customers are using bone broth as an alternative to caffeine. Doing so also decreases the amount of sugar that is consumed. All of our broths are sold frozen as mentioned. We sell the broths frozen because we do not add any preservatives to the broth. The only ingredient in the broth that acts as a preservative is coarse ground kosher salt. This is added sparingly, only to enhance the flavor. The varieties of broth that we produce are not only limited to beef. We produce three different types of beef broth, one unflavored, one flavored with the ginger and vinegar as stated, and one flavored broth that is made with only grass-fed bones. We also produce flavored broths from pork, chicken and turkey. All of these broths do not have excess sodium added to them, use only the freshest ingredients and are great tasting. We take pride in the quality of the bone broth, and strive to make the most consistent product possible by our strict guidelines and recipes. Other uses besides drinking the broth include making soups, sauces and roasts. Broth is a great flavor enhancer and helps keep pot roasts moist, and

www.siestasand.net

By Robert Goggin Alpine Steakhouse

provides layers of flavors in soups. Throughout the month of September Alpine Steakhouse has partnered with Visit Sarasota County, to provide customers with access to VSC’s online reading materials, through their “Sarasota Big Pass” September promotion. This promotion includes Lunch specials, and two meat market specials. The first of which is BOGO, meaning buy one get one free on our Bone Broths. The Second is five dollars off purchase price of a whole (6 lb. Average) Beef Tenderloin. Mentioning this promotion or that it was seen in the Siesta Sand is all that is necessary to receive the promotion.

Alpine Steakhouse is located at 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, 941-922-3797

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

Island Chatter Fire Department staff researching safety requirements for Siesta homes that sleep dozens Over the past couple of years, Siesta Key Association (SKA) Director Joe Volpe has been talking with Sarasota County staff about protecting visitors who rent the newer homes on the island built with a multitude of bedrooms. Jean Cannon, who joined the nonprofit’s board in March, has been assisting Volpe, as she lives near two of those houses on the Key, which are advertised as being able to sleep up to 24 people. Volpe, especially, has voiced concern that fire suppression systems need to be installed in the homes and that a county fire inspector should ensure visitors will be safe. With county Fire Chief Michael Regnier appearing before the SKA audience on Aug. 1 to discuss plans for the reconstruction of Station 13 on Siesta, President Catherine Luckner took the opportunity to ask Regnier questions on behalf of Volpe, who was unable to attend the meeting. The issue of how to handle those towering homes in districts zoned Residential Multi-Family (RMF) on Siesta “is something I’m actually working on right now,” Regnier told Luckner. “How does that affect fire service and safety?” When it comes to single-family neighborhoods, Regnier explained, “The Fire Department has no jurisdiction over a residence,” he explained. That goes back to the long-held tenet that “a man’s home is his castle,” Regnier added. It is called a “castle law,” he said. However, he continued, the question of how to handle multifamily housing is much more complicated. He acknowledged that “it’s not uncommon” for a house on Siesta Key to have 12 bedrooms, with the owner keeping one available for use and renting out the other 11. “Today, that’s a residence, plain and simple,” Regnier explained, referencing the law. Under guidelines linked to business licensing and permitting, he pointed out, the state has established laws requiring that certain measures be taken for fire safety. Thus, he said, a county fire inspector examines a commercial structure to determine whether it complies with the fire code, making sure it has sprinklers and smoke alarms. Because of Siesta’s zoning restrictions in the Siesta Key Overlay District, he pointed out, no house can stand more than 35 feet above a garage, which essentially allows for a four-story structure. “Should that four-story residence be sprinkled?” That is just one question, he said, that county staff is researching. With no pun apparently intended, Regnier added, “It’s a hot topic out here.” So many laws are on the books, he noted, and it is essential for staff to make the correct determination before it proceeds with enforcing specific fire code requirements. Still, Regnier continued, “I have a fire marshal that is very much in tune to what is happening on Siesta Key” and all other areas of the county, in regard to residential multi-family dwellings. In response to another concern Volpe has raised, Regnier said the Fire Department’s ladder trucks can reach the top of a four-story building. However,

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Staff Report Regnier also acknowledged that because of landscaping and other buffering requirements, it no longer is easy for a ladder truck to pull up adjacent to tall buildings, especially newer construction in the city of Sarasota. “We have to adapt to that.” The Plymouth Harbor tower west of Bird Key, he noted, is 260 feet tall. “Our biggest ladder goes 100 feet in the air.” That is all the more reason, he explained, that the county fire marshal has to make certain that high-rise structures are in compliance with all fire code regulations. “We can carry people,” he added. “We can do a lot of things.” During his remarks, Regnier also took the opportunity to remind the SKA audience that the fire engine at Station 13 is designated ALS, for advanced life support. That means that the firefighters on that engine, he said, “can take care of you” just as emergency room personnel would be able to do. On Siesta, all the fire station personnel are cross-trained, he continued. That means all

emergency medical services crew members can serve as firefighters, too, he said. A number of the county fire engines on the mainland operate with the Basic Life Support designation, he added, without such cross training. Station 13, he pointed out, was one of the first in the county to become designed Advanced Life Support. Moreover, Regnier said, “We try to make sure you have the services that you need out here at all times.” If both the Station 13 fire engine and EMS vehicle are out on calls, he explained, the Fire Department brings in other units, making sure they are available until the Station 13 equipment returns.

Speed limit reduction proposed for Siesta Village A Realtor who is member of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) has proposed the lowering of the speed limit in Siesta Village from

20 mph to 15 mph, SKA President Catherine Luckner told members during their regular August meeting. The Realtor, whom Luckner declined to name, made the suggestion after considering the similarity of Siesta Village to Southside Village, which is on Osprey Avenue in the city of Sarasota, Luckner added. Both business districts have a lot of people moving around on foot, many of them using crosswalks. “Until I was just about run over in Siesta Village,” Luckner said — along with having seen other near misses involving vehicles and pedestrians in Siesta Village — Luckner added that she had not thought of how much alike the two areas are. Additionally, Luckner told the approximately 30 members present, the Realtor had proposed discussions with Sarasota County about lowering the speed limit on northbound Ocean Boulevard from 35 mph to 20 mph until traffic is north of the Treasure Boat Way intersection.

Although the 20 mph speed limit remains in effect just north of Siesta Village, Luckner pointed out, drivers routinely “are flooring it” before they pass the crosswalk on Ocean Boulevard at the Treasure Boat Way intersection. “The pedestrian crossings are not well marked” outside the Village, Luckner noted. “We’re interested in your feedback on the proposals,” Luckner told the members.

And speaking of traffic…

During the August SKA meeting, rain streamed down outside the Parish Hall at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, where the nonprofit’s members were gathered. As a result, President Catherine Luckner continued the general question-and-answer period a bit longer than usual, after noting that few people seemed inclined to brave the downpour. Continued on page 8

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Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

Big Pass Dredging

941.349.0194

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com

www.siestasand.net

See Lido Beach companion story on page 31

Siesta Key Association still maintains City of Sarasota has failed to issue adequate determination that dredging of Big Pass will not violate city policies In his summary brief following a July 23 hearing, the attorney for the Siesta Key Association (SKA) maintains that the City of Sarasota repeatedly has refused “to issue an adequate consistency determination” regarding the proposal to dredge Big Sarasota Pass to renourish about 1.6 miles of South Lido Key Beach. Conversely, the city and an intervenor in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court case — the Lido Key Residents Association (LKRA) — refer to July 23 testimony and case exhibits to assert that the city did make that determination and that the SKA’s dissatisfaction with that determination is no reason for the court to compel the city to repeat the determination process. At the conclusion of the July 23 hearing, Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh ordered the filing of summary briefs in the case by Aug. 7. She said she would issue her decision after a review of all the materials and testimony. From the outset of the SKA’s filing of the Circuit Court case, its leaders have contended that the City of Sarasota has not complied with the city’s own Comprehensive Plan or the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan — as required by city regulations, the SKA says — in proceeding with the removal of up to 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from Big Pass. The city was a co-applicant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit for what the USACE calls the Lido Key Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project. (See the related article in this issue.) In his Aug. 7 brief summarizing the July 23 arguments, SKA attorney Kent Safriet of the Tallahassee firm Hopping Green & Sams wrote that “the City has never appropriately made, issued, or published … a consistency determination for the current Project; and the City will not do so until ordered to by

the Court emphasis in the brief.” In an amended complaint filed last year in the Circuit Court, the SKA asked the judge to issue a Writ of Mandamus, compelling the city to make the consistency determination. However, in their Aug. 7, joint summary brief, the city’s outside counsel, John R. Herin Jr. of the Miami firm Fox Rothschild, and attorney Janice D. Rustin of the St. Petersburg firm Lewis, Longman & Walker — representing the Lido Key Residents Association (LKRA) — pointed to July 23 testimony in asserting that the city already had “fulfilled its duty to make an official consistency determination for the Project. A writ of mandamus should not be issued to compel performance of an act that has already been completed.” On July 23, Tim Litchet, director of the city’s Development Services Department, told the court that he and City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw spent approximately 30 minutes reviewing all the sections of the city’s Comprehensive Plan that they believed to be applicable to the proposed Lido project. Their conclusion, Litchet said, was that the initiative would be consistent with the plan. Therefore, DavisShaw signed a letter to that effect, Litchet and DavisShaw testified, and she included it in the permit application the city and the USACE submitted to FDEP in March 2015. Herin and Rustin pointed out that not only was the SKA aware of the consistency determination in DavisShaw’s March 2015 letter but that the nonprofit also received a copy of the Notice of Intent that FDEP issued in December 2016, which the city published. That notice was to let the public know that FDEP planned to issue the necessary permit to the city and the USACE. Yet, Rustin and Herin wrote, the SKA “took no action until the filing of its lawsuit in 2017.” The SKA’s argument has focused on city Action Strategy 1.1. However, Litchet

told the court that that strategy “is not applicable” to the Lido project, Herin and Rustin wrote in their brief. “The fact that Plaintiffs believe that the City’s consistency determination was ‘incorrect’ or that other unknown parties may not have been aware of it is not a sufficient basis to petition this Court for a writ of mandamus” that would compel the city to make another consistency determination, Rustin and Herin contended. Referencing a hearing transcript, they quoted Litchet’s testimony. “My reason for that assertion about Action Strategy 1.1,” Litchet said, “is it deals with development approvals, and development approval is specifically defined in that section. Development approval means approval of rezonings, conditional uses, site plans, and subdivision plans and this project is none of those.” Rustin and Herin further pointed to Litchet’s statement “that in his opinion, a review of the City’s Zoning Code is not relevant to a determination that a state permitted project, like this one, is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. This is because the City’s Zoning Code applies only to permits that are issued by the City ...”

In his brief, Safriet cited a 2009 Florida First District Court of Appeal case to underscore the SKA’s contention that the dredging of Big Pass and the expected destruction of seagrasses in the sand borrow areas qualify as “development.” He added that the city’s Comprehensive Plan “expressly states that approval for the activities undertaken as part of the Lido Project requires ‘approval’ of the City … and no such approval has been granted nor even requested pursuant to Section 1.1.” Safriet also referenced a portion of Action Strategy 1.1 that “states that during the review of requests for both public and private development approval, ‘the City shall ensure that applications are consistent both with the relevant environmental components of the City Plan’ and with ‘the most recently adopted and applicable local, regional, state, and federal plans and regulations emphasis in the document.’” The latter point goes to the SKA argument that the city has failed to comply with a Sarasota County environmental policy requiring county approval for removal of sand from any waterway that never has been dredged, and Big Pass is such a waterway.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

Siesta Promenade

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

By Rachel Brown Hackney

SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Oral arguments sought in lawsuit challenging County Commission approval The Pine Shores Estates resident who filed suit early this year in an effort to stop the construction of Siesta Promenade has asked a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge to schedule arguments in the case. In a July 31 motion, the attorney for Sura Kochman, Ralf Brookes of Cape Coral, explained, “This is an extremely complex rezoning case,” involving multiple issues and numerous votes of approval by the Sarasota County Commission. “The court would benefit from the presentation of oral argument in this case and the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification …” Benderson Development Co. and its affiliate for the mixed-use project — Siesta 41 Associates LLP — sought County Commission approval for rezoning of most of the 24-acre site of Siesta Promenade, which is in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. The companies also petitioned for Critical Area Plan (CAP) approval for the project, to enable them to build more dwelling units per acre than traditional county Commercial General zoning would allow. The CAP designation permits up to 25 units per acre. Further, they needed approval of a Special Exception for a hotel in the development, because of county regulations governing transient accommodations. Additionally, the companies sought the vacation of a portion of a county road to create Siesta Promenade, as planned. Altogether, Benderson has said it will construct 414 apartments/condominiums, a 130-room hotel and 140,000 square feet of office and retail space on the property, which sits immediately adjacent to Pine Shores Estates, a community of mostly single-family homes. Brookes argued in his reply brief in the case that Benderson should have applied for commission approval of other aspects of the proposed project. For example, the company plans to erect standalone multi-family residential structures amid the other uses. While county regulations allow such construction, Brookes pointed out, a Special Exception is required; yet, Benderson never even sought one. Further, he argued, the hotel is slated to be 80 feet tall, but no board approval was sought for the increase in allowed height from the 35-foot maximum in a Commercial General zoning district, which is the designation the commission approved for the Siesta Promenade site in a Dec. 12, 2018 vote. Brookes asked the court “to either quash and reverse

or remand the development approvals for additional hearings on the site-specific CAP, the rezoning, and the additionally required special exceptions.” Among issues on which Kochman has focused in her Circuit Court complaint is the process by which the County Commission approved the CAP. If county staff and the County Commission had followed the procedure outlined in county regulations for winning a CAP designation, Brookes contended in the reply brief, the traffic analysis for Siesta Promenade would have been much wider in scope. He pointed to the potential for a significant exacerbation of traffic flow in the Stickney Point Road/U.S. 41 vicinity.

CAP contentions and traffic

Much of Brookes’ 18-page reply brief in the case deals with the Sarasota County ordinance detailing the CAP process. Brookes included a copy of a county flowchart “expressly indicating the steps that must be taken for CAP approval and in precisely what order. “By ‘touching the bases’ in the wrong order,” he added, Benderson and Siesta 41 Associates “violated the essential requirements of law.” In his response to the lawsuit, Benderson’s attorney, Lincoln, wrote that the Circuit Court lacked jurisdiction over “Kochman’s complaints relating to the approval of the Project CAP ... Simply put,” Lincoln pointed out, the commission’s “decision to approve the Project CAP to allow mixed use development at this busy Sarasota intersection was a legislative decision,” and a Petition for Writ of Certiorari cannot contest such action. Brookes also countered arguments Assistant County Attorney David Pearce made in his response to Kochman’s complaint, on behalf of the County Commission. For example, Brookes pointed out, Pearce wrote that the proposed Siesta Promenade development “is compatible with the commercial characteristics of US 41 through South Sarasota, including the Sarasota Pavilion Shopping Center on the southeast corner of the Stickney Point Road intersection and other strip center development along US 41.” Yet, Brookes argued, Siesta Promenade would be constructed on property that is vacant at “an absolutely critical intersection … that must be maintained for

acceptable ingress and egress for Siesta Key.” He pointed out that the Level of Service for the afternoon peak drive time at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road is rated F. (“Level of Service” references a driver’s view of how smoothly traffic flows in a particular area.) “An ‘F’ represents near ‘gridlock’ conditions, where every vehicle moves in lockstep with the vehicle in front of it and traffic nearly comes to a stop,” Brookes added. “Clearly, this US 41 intersection already has more traffic than it can safely handle and is the subject of Florida Department of Transportation FDOT concern.” Moreover, Brookes argued, “Despite numerous objections made to the County Commission, no attempt was made to measure Siesta Promenade’s impact on Siesta Key residents, who objected and observed they were already impacted, by onerous stop and go traffic, and must stay at home from about 10 a.m. until around 2 p.m. during peak tourist season or frequently sit in gridlock.” Nonetheless, Brookes added, the commission “treated this proposed development, on this currently vacant parcel … like any other ‘strip center’ corner on US 41.” Yet, in his response for Benderson and Siesta 41 Associates, attorney Lincoln explained that a CAP is akin to a comprehensive plan, but on a smaller scale. It is a decision about what sort of development is appropriate in a specific area and what conditions must be satisfied to permit that development to proceed, he added. Lincoln wrote that the County Commission had the right to determine whether the CAP traffic analysis was sufficient to support its decision on the compatibility issue involving the adjacent neighborhood.

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One member took advantage of the extra time to suggest the SKA look into whether the county could erect signage for westbound traffic on Stickney Point Road — well east of the Midnight Pass Road intersection — so drivers would know they need to be in the right lane if they are heading to the public beach. That would save a lot of last-minute lane changes, the woman indicated, especially during the height of tourist season. “That’s a good thought,” Luckner replied.

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Siesta Creamery to open in South Bridge Mall Siesta Creamery, located in the space formerly occupied by A Taste of Germany, in the South Bridge Mall, is set to open early October. This new business will serve ice cream and espresso along with Amish donuts from Der Dutchman’s Restaurant. Interestingly, owner Dennis Yoder is the founder of Big Olaf Creamery of Siesta located in the Siesta Key Village. At 85, he’s ready to give it another go with Siesta Creamery. Stop in to try one of their unique items: the donut sundae. While you’re there, Dennis will happily share stories of his earlier years. 6575 Midnight Pass Road, 34242 / 941-929-5206.

Looking for A Taste of Germany?

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.

This small Siesta Key restaurant has outgrown its last two Siesta Key locations with the popularity of their rum cakes so they’ve moved off-island to a larger facility. Their current location is at 6606 26th Ct. E, Sarasota, 34243, and they are now focused on expanding their 56 flavors rum cake business. You can place an order for their delicious rum cakes online at ATasteofGermanySiesta.com or call them at 941-320-1511.

An update on the Siesta Promenade site

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During the Aug. 1 Siesta Key Association (SKA) meeting, Director Erin Kreis asked why the perimeter of the Siesta Promenade site has been surrounded by the type of protective sheeting common on construction sites.

Her question arose after SKA President Catherine Luckner pointed out that litigation over Siesta Promenade remains underway in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota. Benderson Development Co. and its affiliate, Siesta 41 Associates LLC, won a county permit on July 11 that will allow demolition on the site of the proposed mixed-use project in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41. However, the companies need a tree permit before they can begin clearing the Siesta Promenade property of septic tanks and concrete pads that are remnants of the Pine Shores Trailer Park. Responding to a request for an update, county Media Relations Specialist Brianne Grant reported in an email that the July 26 county inspection for the tree permit was classified as “Failed.” The staff report, she said, cited the following: “Cedars and oaks were to be preserved per initial site meeting. Barricades are not protecting trees discussed. Some barricades are around dead trees and exotic/invasive trees. Barricades in wrong location/around wrong trees.” As Siesta Sand went to press for September the tree permit still had not been issued. The application submitted to the county says the trees to be removed are as follows: four maples, 31 oaks, 88 palms, 51 pines and 21 trees of unknown species. The trees to be protected, the application continues, are two Grand Pines and “various others shown on plan that were identified by County Staff.” The application, formally filed by WRA Engineering of University Park, points out that the impacted area encompasses 984,456 square feet. (A web-based calculator says that that square footage is equal to 22.6 acres.) Continued on page 12

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SEPTEMBER 2019

Updates on the Cosentino legal cases

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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In early July, Siesta resident Mike vacation of a 373-footCosentino missed his deadline for long segment of North filing his reply brief with the Second Beach Road, in his reply District Court of Appeal in the original brief, Cosentino appears North Beach Road case he initiated to revisit all aspects of against the County Commission in the May 2016 public June 2016. hearings that prompted The Office of the County attorney his complaint. and M. Lewis Hall III of the Williams In his summary of the resolutions the Parker firm in Sarasota, the attorney board approved more for intervenors in the case, argued than three years ago, strenuously against Cosentino’s Cosentino wrote that request that the court give Cosentino the County Commission a fourth extension for filing that “made a cornucopia of brief. Nonetheless, the court granted compounding errors that Cosentino even more time than he Mike Cosentino form the basis of this had sought — until Aug. 12, instead Appeal.” of July 31. Cosentino blamed his former attorney, Lee Robert As for the remaining issues in the Circuit Court’s Rohe of Big Pine Key, for failing to provide him jurisdiction: Judge McHugh has scheduled two materials he needed for the reply brief. hearings in the next two months. Cosentino also had let his third attorney in the case On Sept. 9, McHugh has set aside 30 minutes, — Fred E. Moore of Blalock Walters in Bradenton — starting at 10:30 a.m., to consider the county’s step away from it. That decision left Cosentino acting motion to consolidate the remaining counts in the on his own. North Beach Road vacation case with the Charter In late June, in a hearing before 12th Judicial Circuit Amendment case. The latter originally was filed Court Judge Andrea McHugh on a related case, by the Caflisch family of Siesta Key in October Cosentino said Moore was “not up to speed” on all 2018, before the amendments passed. The family’s the issues in the two cases. attorney filed an amended complaint in late Cosentino subsequently filed a motion in the December 2018, asking the court to throw out the Circuit Court, requesting that McHugh allow him amendments. to represent himself in the original North Beach The Caflisches — and the county — contend that Road lawsuit. He contended that that made the most the amendments strip the County Commission of sense, as he had been acting pro se in the related case, authority that has been vested in it by the Florida which involves the two Sarasota County Charter Statutes. The Caflisches and the county also argue amendments he wrote and for which he won voter that the amendments are vague. The Caflisches and the intervenors in the original approval in the November 2018 General Election. As for the Court of Appeal situation: Morgan North Beach Road case, Dennis and Wendy Madden, Bentley of the Bentley & Bruning firm in Sarasota had were among the property owners who petitioned predicted in an interview with SNL that the Second the County Commission for the vacation of the road District Court of Appeal would prove lenient with segment. Cosentino on the latest reply brief extension; the The June 25 hearing before McHugh was to have judges generally are “pretty forgiving,” as Bentley focused on the consolidation issue. However, Hall, the attorney for the Maddens, was unable to be put it. However, in its July 24 decision allowing the delay, present. the Court of Appeal wrote, “Any further requests for That day, McHugh did tell Assistant County Attorney David Pearce, Cosentino and Cosentino’s an extension will be denied.” The court also refused a request in Cosentino’s then-attorney, Fred Moore — plus the Caflisches’ motion for a judge to review, in private, materials attorney, William Moore of Moore Bowman & Reese Rohe had filed with the Court of Appeal in the in Sarasota — that she would sign an order for the original brief. consolidation if Pearce were able to get the consent Yet, in spite of the Court of Appeal’s caution that of all the parties for that action. Evidently, Pearce it would allow no further delays, Cosentino missed was not able to do that. the Aug. 12 deadline for filing the reply brief. The On Oct. 7, at 9 a.m., McHugh has scheduled a document is dated Aug. 13, as shown at the top of second hearing — this one for an hour — on a county a copy SNL obtained from the Office of the County motion for final summary judgment in the Charter Amendments case. Attorney through a public records request. By the way, this brief — unlike the vast majority Assistant County Attorney Pearce filed the motion of briefs SNL has reviewed over the decades — has for summary judgment on June 19. In his conclusion, a table of contents. Although the appeal is focused he asked the court “to decree that the Charter on specific portions of the complaint Cosentino filed amendments are inconsistent with state law and against the County Commission over the May 2016 vague.”

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Sheriff’s Report July 23 – August 19, 2019

www.siestasand.net

There were 16 crimes reported on the Key between 7/23-8/19/19 7/24/19 Theft 4000 Block Gleason Ave. A man reported his wallet and its contents ($60, debit card, and driver’s license) were stolen. He stated he had left the wallet unattended and unsecured on a table in a Siesta church. He had been attending a meeting at the location along with numerous other unknown subjects, all of whom would have had access to the wallet during the hour.

7/25/19 Burglary- Vehicle Location Withheld A woman reported an unknown person entered her vehicle and stole the registration and insurance card from the glove box. The vehicle was locked but it is a soft top Jeep and entry could be made by pulling the fabric panels open. The interior of the vehicle was not dusted due to lack of surfaces. The victim related that she is in the process of a divorce but currently has no dissolution of assets. The estranged spouse lives in Sarasota.

7/25/19 Battery 5000 Block Ocean Blvd. A woman reported an unknown male grabbed her bottom and genitals over the top of her clothing as she walked off the dance floor of a Village nightclub. She said she punched the male as hard as she could in his chest. The complainant was with five friends, however, none of them witnessed the incident.

7/28/19 DUI 5200 Block Ocean Blvd. Deputies responded to a suspected impaired driver. Upon initial contact, the defendant was sitting on the curb with bloodshot eyes drooping eyelids and slurred speech. He had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and appeared to be impaired. When asked by the deputy to walk towards his vehicle, he stumbled twice. The deputy noticed a distinct sway and stagger as he walked across the street. When questioned, the defendant stated, “I made a mistake and tried to drive away.” Before the deputy was able to finish reading the defendant his Miranda rights, the defendant

placed his hands behind his back, as if he was ready to be arrested. He stated he was stressed and came out to have a good time and get drunk. He added that he was about to drive away in his truck before another deputy stopped him and called for backup. The defendant continued to advise he was in such an impaired state that he should not be driving. He stated he was drinking beer, Rum and you name it. He said multiple times that he had made a mistake.

7/29/19 Burglary-Residential Location Withheld A complainant related that a cooler was missing from the inside of the residence he was taking care of. The Yeti ($300) cooler had been near the front door prior to its theft. The caretaker also reported that two suede beanbag chairs ($300) were missing from the upstairs loft area of the home. No other items were missing or disturbed. The man believes entry was made into the residence while he was there checking on the property as the door would have been unlocked at that time.

8/3/19 Grand Theft Location Withheld A woman advised she discovered several rings and some cash missing from her jewelry drawer. The drawer is located in a master bedroom closet. Some cash was removed from a wallet, an envelope, and under the drawer insert ($600). Not all the cash present was taken. There were no signs of forced entry at the residence. The complainant does employ a housekeeper who has access to the residence and could think of no other persons who would be present when the complainant was not there. Security measures were discussed with the complainant. The three missing rings were valued at approximately $19,500.

8/3/19 Burglary- Vehicle 6000 Block Midnight Pass Rd. A woman reported someone had removed her purse from an opened, unlocked vehicle. The vehicle was parked in a Condominium lot. The purse ($50) contained a wallet,

ID, social security card, and a debit card. The purse also contained an LG cell phone ($80). The complainant was unable to track her phone using a tracking app. No cameras were present in this area of the lot and there were no suspects.

8/6/19 Theft 200 Block Canal Rd. An unknown male stole a 12 pack of Corona beer from a Village grocery. The complainant said an employee saw the suspect leave the store without paying. When the employee followed the suspect down the street and confronted him, the suspect started to run and dropped the beer. The complainant said the beer was recovered although most of the bottles were broken. None of the employees recognized the suspect.

Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio Rocked the stage Sunday, August 18th in a benefit for Mothers Helping Mothers (MHM). MHM is a local non-profit that provides necessities to people in need in our community. They are an all-volunteer staff. MHM is always looking for volunteers and they take donations for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and shoes, and also housewares that are family-friendly (non-breakables). Starting in Sept. they will offer tours of the facility for those who are interested every Friday from 11 to 11:45. For more information go to www.mhmsarasota.com or email mhmsarasota@gmail.com

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Fire Station 13

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Continued from cover story

The new façade will be designed to blend in well with the county beach park facilities, Regnier noted. He welcomed visitors at the facilities on Bee Ridge Road and South Tamiami Trail.

Keeping the same site “What you have today is what you’ll have forever and into the future,” Regnier continued, referring to the property where Station 13 stands. “We found out that location is the best suited place for Siesta Key… We can get to everywhere on Siesta Key within a timely fashion… Building county negotiating to lease for Fire Station 13 and that’s very important to us.” Nonetheless, Siesta property owner and did explain that that is an easement. In early manager Michael Holderness asked whether the discussions about the siting of the new facility, Fire Department staff had considered putting Regnier continued, staff considered placing the the new station closer to Glebe Park, adding that fire station “a little bit more to the left,” but that it would be quieter in that spot at night for the would have put it partly on the easement. firefighters and EMTs trying to sleep. Moreover, In response to a question from an audience Holderness indicated, the county could make a member, Regnier said that the new station would lot of money by selling the Station 13 site, given not have a public meeting room on the second its proximity to Siesta Public Beach. “It’s such a floor. “I would love to have a community room valuable piece of property,” Holderness added. in all fire stations,” he added. However, he and The Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s his staff take into consideration not only the office lists the value of the land this year at proximity of other public facilities but also “the $2,844,100. According to the record for that parcel, best functionality for the fire stations.” the county has owned the site since June 1950. On another point raised by an audience “We do a lot of GIS mapping,” Regnier replied, member, Regnier explained that if a hurricane is referring to the Geographical Information System approaching the Southwest Florida coast and an software the county uses. The goal, Regnier evacuation is ordered for Siesta Key, Fire Station explained, “is to get you the best level of service. 13 is closed. … It’s actually a very, very good location” for The crews retreat to a station inland, he Station 13, he added of the parcel at 1170 Beach continued. Depending upon changes in the storm Road. forecast, he added, the command may be given Fire Department staff had considered a for the Station 13 group and others to move even number of different locations on the Key, Regnier further inland, “synonymous with the evacuations continued. “The place where the station is today is that happen.” the perfect setup for where it needs to be.” “The new fire station needs to be built,” he said, However, if a parking garage were built on that so it will be standing after the storm has passed. site, Holderness countered, “that could reduce People coming back onto Siesta will need to have traffic” on the island. fire support, he pointed out. Regnier replied, with a smile, that he stays out After Hurricane Michael devastated parts of of political discussions. the Panhandle last year, he noted, the Sarasota County Fire Department sent about 80 firefighters Other facets of the plans to Mexico Beach, one of the hardest-hit areas. During a question-and-answer session after “There was no fire station left in that Regnier concluded his remarks, SKA Director community,” Regnier said. “They needed a fire Joyce Kouba asked whether the county would station set up. … We created a temporary fire maintain the public access to the beach through department for them.” the fire station property while construction of the If Siesta were struck by a hurricane, he added, the Fire Department would “want to help the new facility is underway. As of his appearance at the Aug. 1 meeting, community get back to functionality as soon as Regnier said, no site plan had been completed possible.” to show how that access would be affected. He

Silver City 6539 Midnight Pass Road • 941.349.5030

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

941.349.0194

Flag ceremony honors Sarasota Sheriff’s Deputies By Randall Townsend Our nightly flag ceremony is in honor of Captain Ralph Styles (a Decorated WWII Submarine Captain in the Pacific Theater), who began this Tribute Ceremony about 30 years ago-- Each sunset our community comes together with new friends from around the world at Siesta Key Public Access #2, at 10 Beach Road. All are welcome as we say: “Welcome to Patriots’ Pier at Sunset Point Pier! We thank you for joining our nightly tribute to honor the sacrifices of our Military and Service Personnel in protecting our Country and our freedoms!” “We are the land of the free because of the brave!” Our Special Tribute Ceremony on August 14, 2019 was to honor our local Sarasota Sheriff’s Deputies of Siesta Key who respond when needed to protect us and our rights to have our nightly Sunset Tributes at the newly named, “Patriots Pier at Sunset Point Pier!” So please, ALWAYS thank these Deputies for their AWESOMENESS! (Also honored were the 41 baby sea turtles that hatched right at the end of the ceremony last Saturday.)

Island Chatter

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 8

Benderson and Siesta 41 Associates plan 414 condominiums/ apartments, a 130-room hotel, 133,000 square feet of commercial space and 7,000 square feet of office space on the approximately 24 acres. On Dec. 12, 2018, the firms won County Commission approval to undertake the development.

Trolley continues to keep high tally of passengers With no red tide threatening tourism thus far this summer, ridership on the Siesta Key Breeze trolley has been booming, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) has reported. The July ridership was 28,123, Lisa Potts, SCAT communications specialist, reported. With an inquiry about the expanded hours of service, Potts noted, “The trolley did extend its morning hours to begin at 8 a.m. We are continuously working to align the trolley service hours with customer needs. After receiving a favorable show of interest for the extended service, we are currently on a trial basis for the new start time and are consistently monitoring the hours to best fit the demands of ridership.”

An ‘All Clear’ for the Grand Canal

CUISINE OF NORTHEAST THAILAND

On Aug. 13, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County lifted a health advisory issued on July 10, after the Sarasota County Public Utilities Department reported a spill of 36,000 gallons of untreated sewage had entered the Grand Canal near 5200 Oakmont Place. The advisory urged individuals not to come into contact with water in the canal, a Health Department news release pointed out. “Water samples taken by Sarasota County Utilities indicate that bacteria levels in the Grand Canal have returned to acceptable levels,” the Aug. 13 release said. “The health advisory signage will be removed,” it added. “At this time, there are no advisories in place on any Sarasota beach, or waterway,” the Aug. 13 release pointed out. “When making beach day plans, be sure to check the latest reports on beach conditions,” the release said. For information about beach water conditions, a person may visit OurGulfEnvironment.net, the release notes. Click on “water monitoring” and then “bacterial testing” to check testing results of area Gulf beaches.

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From missing the cues to making a cool $1.82 million... Learning Beyond the Classroom The Sarasota County school district excels by almost any measure. Indeed, according to school ranking site Niche.com, Sarasota’s Pine View Elementary is the top elementary school in the nation. That’s nation, not just the state of Florida. Overall the district was ranked number two in Florida. But there is one area where it seems to me Sarasota has missed an opportunity for learning beyond the classroom. It involves smart phone use. While middle and high school students aren’t allowed to use their phones and tablets in classrooms (without a teacher’s permission) they can use them between classes in hallways and the cafeteria. Now maybe it’s just me, but have you noticed an alarming number of young folks having a hard time processing the visual and social cues that are only recognized and developed through face-to-face communication? I’ve come across some teens and young adults who have to search for an answer when you simply smile and say ‘hello.’ This is an important part of education…learning to talk to people without the filter of a small blue screen. I know it may seem hyperbolic to seemingly suggest we can lay all the problems of today’s culture at the feet of this single issue, but it does seem that after 200,000 years of human development, where along with the words of others we have developed critical skills to help us discern their intent by the look in their eyes, the smile or frown on their face, the gestures of their hands, that we are now in the midst of a giant social experiment where those cues are being bypassed in favor of device-based communication, even when the participants are in close proximity. Many youngsters choose texting each other back and forth even when they’re in the lunchroom at the same time. So far, I’m thinking this social experiment isn’t going all that well. A majority of teens feel isolated and alone. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the teenage suicide rate has reached an historic level. It doesn’t appear to get any better with age either: a new survey by research firm YouGov found that 27 percent of millennials reported they have no close friends. 22 percent said they had no friends at all. Now that is truly disheartening. The New York Times reported several months back that there is a trend among the titans of silicone valley – executives at firms like Google, Apple and Microsoft – to send their kids to ‘pencil and paper’ private schools where all electronic devices are strictly forbidden. Do you think they may know something we don’t?

Why Oh Y? News that the Sarasota Y will be shuttering its two fitness centers in September after years of losses hit the community particularly hard. How could this happen was the almost universal response. Which brings to mind the old saw: Q: “How did you go broke?” A: “Slowly, then suddenly.” In a town with so much affluence, it seemed a shame some board members apparently appeared more concerned with keeping up appearances than being

forthcoming about the Y’s perilous financial circumstances as those finances deteriorated over many years. With only weeks available for members of the community to raise the funds necessary to keep the fitness centers afloat, it appeared unlikely a suitable plan would be in place before the appointed closing hour arrived. But then, just as we were going to press, a miracle: Fundraising by a grass roots group hastily named ‘Save Our Y’ and creative thinking from a newly planned charter school set to open next year…stepping forward with an offer to buy the six acres behind the Y’s north Sarasota campus, providing enough cash to retire much of the Y’s debts, make needed facility repairs and provide enough operating capital to keep the two fitness facilities going… …For now. But the legacy of the Y’s current board remains: a membership plunge from 12,000 a dozen years ago to just 6,500 today. Reports indicate a new board will be put in place to execute the proposed arrangement between the school, the new donors and the Y to assure those numbers stabilize and turn towards the good in the months and years ahead. That would seem to be a critical first feature of any plan moving forward, what with the realities of trust and fidelity, financial and otherwise that bear on this matter. As another saying goes, trust, like the heart, is like a wheel. Once you bend it, you can’t mend it. A fresh start? Let’s hope.

The Death of Humor... The satire site The Babylon Bee ran this headline spoofing Ocasio Cortez’s (AOC’s) profligacy: “AOC reportedly guessed “Free!” on TV show “The Price is Right.”... picking up this item, the AOC crack drew a rebuke from fact checking site Snopes.com, with the geniuses they’re labeling the headline ‘untrue,’ along with other satirical ones on The Babylon Bee site like... “CNN Purchases IndustrialSized Washing Machine To Spin News Before Publication.” and... “Democrats demand Brett Kavanaugh submit to DNA test to prove he’s not actually Hitler.” Facebook purportedly uses Snopes to ‘police’ its content to eliminate instances of ‘Fake News.” Hello… Would anyone seriously believe these headlines are anything other than satirical? Sounds to me more like a backdoor means of eliminating a point-of-view not in keeping with Facebook’s own, given that The Babylon Bee generally lampoons the left.

More Danger at the Beach... So what’s with rip-currents, red-tide, and the terror drummed into our heads every summer with the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, you may have thought you had a handle on the dangers that accompany a trip to the beach. But hold onto your hat (and beach umbrella)...literally. The US consumer product safety commission recently reported that 2800 beach-goers have been injured by flying beach umbrellas over the

6635 Midnight Pass Rd.

past decade. The news comes on the heels of a 13-year-old boy being impaled by a beach umbrella lifted and driven by the wind recently at a New England beach. Amazingly, the boy’s injuries were not life threatening. So all this time you’ve been afraid to get in the water for fear of a shark attack when the REAL danger is on the beach in the form of runaway beach umbrellas. Who knew?

Auction Gold... In 1976 a NASA intern named Gary George paid $217 for an auction lot of surplus videotapes from the agency. Turns out the tapes included some of the clearest, best preserved images of man’s first walk on the moon from the Apollo 11 mission. The tapes were recently auctioned again, this time by Sotheby’s, which obviously knows a bit more about the value of things than NASA. The winning bid this time around? A cool $1.82 million.

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

Original Location: 6641 Midnight Pass Rd, Crescent Plaza

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 For Lunch & Dinner

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

TURTLE’S

Open Mon-Sat: Noon – 9PM Open for Lunch and Dinner Sun: 4-9PM (Dinner Only) 941-552-8826

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 Customer Appreciation 3 Course Dinner: $19.99 (Avg. 30% Savings)

H APPY HOUR

DAILY

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, or 8oz. Filet Mignon. (Package includes a house salad or clam chowder, a delectable entrée with starch & veggies, hot rolls with butter, plus a slice of turtle pie or key lime pie) 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

HAPPY HOUR 3-6 PM DAILY • Discounted Well Drinks • Bar Appetizers 2.99- 3.99 $

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

SEPTEMBER 2019

941.349.0194

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

SIESTA NAILS & SPA

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

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

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 1

With our map, located below, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease. Siesta Nails & Spa, located in the Sarasota Pavilion (6517 S. Tamiami Trail), a few doors down from Hooters Restaurant, recently changed hands and remodeled their shop. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with their $35 and up Pedi. Call them at 941-556-9048 to set up an appointment. The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach 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. Continued on the next page

GULF GATE

Ba Am nk o eri f ca

Panera Bread

Marshall’s

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

G14 G13 G12 G11 G10 G9 G8 G7 G6 G5 G4 G3

S30 S29 S28 S27 S26 S25 S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 S19 S18 S17 S16 S15 S14 S13 S12 S11 S10 S9 S8

S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S1

Gulf Gulf Gate Gate Drive Drive

Lo Ho ng rn

Only Eyes OPTICAL

PICCOLO

SRQ

Italian Market & Deli

FALL SPECIAL

FREE FRAMES While Supply Lasts Pay For Lenses Only

See Us For Free Ultrasound Cleaning of your Glasses

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

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

Come See Our New Location

6541 Superior Avenue

Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am - 6pm 6518 Gateway Ave.

941.444.7984

www.PiccoloMarket.com

SARASOTA

THE SHOP SRQ 6625 Gateway Ave.

G-2

“We Straight Razor Shave” 15 Years + Experience

www.TheShopSrq.com

& Vegetarian Sandwiches S-24

Traditional, Old School Barber Shop

Hot or Cold

S-16

G16 G15

G24

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

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

Gateway Avenue

Books-AMillion

Michaels

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

Siesta Nails & Spa

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

941-923-2202

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

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Coconuts Outlet Store closing

www.siestakeyassociation.com

Continued from cover story

Siesta Sand questioned Cannon about the reason for the closing of the Outlet Store. Cannon responded, “We are closing mostly due to our lease not being renewed and that Captain Curt’s would like to expand their new coffee shop offerings. Cannon went on to say, “This location was the original store that my wife Rosemary opened in 1982 under the name Siesta Sand Castle and was then changed to Coconuts in 1986 when I became involved in the business and we also opened stores in Siesta Key Village and on Long Beach Island at the New Jersey shore for 20 years. It is bittersweet closing this location but it is almost a blessing in disguise because we are ready to slow down and have just the one location now across the street next to Crescent Beach Grocery. Many thanks

MONTHLY MEETING Thursday, Sept. 5 • 4:30 PM

St. Boniface Church Parish Hall 5615 Midnight Pass Road

Guest speaker

John Saputo IV

Construction Project Manager - Capital Projects

Topic: Demolition of Siesta Key Utility Plant public is always welcome with questions for our guests.

to all our wonderful friends and customers that have supported us over the years. We also wish the Stewart family all the best as they move forward to the latest expansion in Captain Curt’s Village.”

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE

G-4

Open Daily 7am-9pm

Continued from the previous page

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. Wild Ginger Apothecary (S-19) has been successfully providing sustainable, ethically produced, and nontoxic products for beauty, home and nutrition to the health conscious consumers of Sarasota since October of 2014. Their latest offerings is a CBD Boutique area featuring hundreds of hemp and CBD products. Wild Ginger Apothecary also offers classes and workshops for a variety of audiences on topics that cover lifestyle, creativity, health, and more in the Studio + Lounge. Z6557 Superior Ave. 941-312-5630, 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. 6574 Superior Ave., 941-924-5800. 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. (M-5) John Garner, Broker Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker Assoc. have a combined 40 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. FOR BUYERS, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs and matching that as close as possible. FOR SELLERS, over the years we have successfully listed and sold many, many properties throughout Sarasota County. OUR PHILOSOPHY is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals. We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941924-2330 or drop by our office. Only Eyes, Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Licensed and experienced optician available to fill your prescriptions. Only Eyes Optical has a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with their licensed optician.

Broasted Chicken Dinner on special every Wednesday!

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S-19

6557 SUPERIOR AVENUE SARASOTA, FL • 34231

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941.312.5630 WILDGINGERAPOTHECARY.COM

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

941.349.0194

Island Chatter

It doesn’t need to be NEW to be

AWESOME!

Voted Sarasota’s #1 Consignment Store

Supporting local ARTS related programs & education for more than 50 years.

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

FL license 230517 • Locally Owned & Operated Companionship • Transportation Post Hospitalization Care • Shopping, Errands Light Housekeeping • Laundry/Change Bedding Dementia Care • Medication Reminders Meal Prep/Planning

941-925-2433

Continued from page 12

Requesting more information, Sarasota County Public Utilities staff provided a more detailed explanation of what happened that led to the spill: “The Siesta Key Master Pump Station utilizes a large transmission main line to transport flow to the mainland for treatment. During high flow conditions, a booster pump on this transmission main activates automatically to assist with transporting flow during high flow conditions such as those experienced on the afternoon of July 9, 2019. The booster pump failed due to a bad starter on the diesel engine that powers the pump. While the pump was being repaired, the volume in the Master Pump Station increased and spilled for a short period of time until the pump was repaired. “The incident has been examined,” staff continued, “and Sarasota County is implementing additional safeguards to prevent future occurrences including procedural changes, adding automation and increasing inspections of the booster pump. The booster pump is also going to be replaced within the next year. The new pump station will include more redundancies in the event of a failure.”

AWARDING MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

There’s no limit to the BARGAINS you’ll FIND!

www.siestasand.net

A new proposal for transient accommodations on the Key During the Aug. 1 Siesta Key Association meeting, President Catherine Luckner reported on a proposal by the owners of the house at 5228 Calle Menorca to turn it into transient accommodations. Built in 1980, the structure was designed for two families, according to Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office records. The parcel, which comprises 4,565 square feet, those records note, is zoned Commercial General. The owners, Max Nuebler Jr. and Paula J. Nuebler of Hawkins Road in Sarasota, have owned the property since Aug. 1985, the Property Appraiser’s Office records show. They paid $106,000 for it. The house is behind Siesta Beach Plaza, which is home to Flavio’s and Subway. Luckner indicated that county staff had notified the SKA of the pre-application submitted by the owners, who wanted to make the transition to what the county calls “transient rentals.” In other words, people could rent space in the house for as short a time as a day, as they do with hotel rooms, she indicated. “It’s a very, very small lot,” she said, adding that it was approximately one-tenth of an acre. The owners would need a Special Exception from the county to make the change, Luckner explained. In her reading of the Siesta Key Overlay District zoning regulations, County Commission approval is necessary, she added. SKA members might recall that when Gidget’s Coastal Provisions was constructed a number of years ago on Ocean Boulevard, Luckner noted, the design encompassed three small apartments on the upper floor, and those are designated transient accommodations. Enough parking spaces were available for the owners of that property to gain county approval for that situation, she said. When the County Commission approved Gidget’s transient accommodations in January 2014, material provided in advance of the meeting pointed out that those units would be rented for no fewer than 30 days at a time. Siesta architect Mark Smith also explained to the commissioners that one parking space would be required for each unit. Smith worked with the owners of the property, Jim Syprett and Jay Lancer, on the design of the retail business and the apartments. Through a public records request, SNL obtained a copy of the preapplication proposal for 5228 Calle Menorca. County staff received it on May 7, according to a stamp on the document. Continued on page 18

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!

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

LIVE MUSIC PAGE 22

VILLAGE MAP pgs 18 - 19

ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 35

CRESCENT BEACH MAP pg 20 GULF GATE SHOPS pg 14 - 15

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.

Don’t Waste Your Island Time Crossing Bridges! We are conveniently located just a few steps from Crescent Beach and minutes away from anywhere on the Key.

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

We Deliver to Siesta Key!

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

www.crescentbeachgrocery.com

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

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Chatter

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

Continued from page 16

Kim Francel, public records coordinator for the county, noted that no formal petition for a Special Exception had been filed with county staff as of Aug. 12. Submitted by G. Matthew Brockway of the Icard Merrill law firm in Sarasota, the pre-application says that Chad Waites of Iola Drive in Sarasota has a contract to purchase the property from the Nueblers. In a letter accompanying the pre-application, Brockway wrote, “No material improvements or alterations to the existing building or the Property are contemplated, apart from cosmetic and interior improvements to the two existing dwelling units. No site improvements or alterations are required or contemplated by the proposed Special Exception.”

A new owner for the former Lofino Building SNL learned recently that the structure at 5011 Ocean Blvd., at the northern end of Siesta Village, has been sold again. In December 2017, Chris Brown — who owns the Beach Club, The Cottage, the Hub Baja Grill and the new My Village Pub (MVP)

restaurant in the Key Corners plaza in Siesta Village, among other properties — bought what was then called the Lofino Building from the Lofino Family for $1,350,000, Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office records show. On July 17, the Property Appraiser’s Office records say, a limited liability company Brown had established — Ocean Blvd LLC — sold the property to another limited liability company — American XIV LLC of Seffner — for $1,850,000. According to Florida Division of Corporations records, the registered agent for American XIV is Mark Kara of Seffner. That limited liability company was established on June 20, the Florida Secretary of State’s office records note. Buzzfile, which touts itself as “The Most Advanced Company Information Database,” indicates that Kara is the principal at American Towing & Transport LLC. Buzzfile says that company “primarily operates in the Towing Service, Automotive business/industry within the Automotive Repair, Services and Parking sector.” The Better Business Bureau says Kara is

Lofino Building at 5011 Ocean Blvd in the Village

the owner of American & Import Auto Parts, which was established in May 1993. Seffner is in Hillsborough County. The total market value of the 5011 Ocean Blvd. property this year is $1,244,700, up from

$1,115,200 in 2018, the Property Appraiser’s Office records say. The building dates to 1986, but the records indicate that it was updated in 1994. The total habitable area of the structure is 8,934 square feet, the records note.

Map D #62

Coffee Shop • Tea Room • 5138 ACCOMMODATIONS Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa.......... Map-A #38A ART GALLERY / STUDIO The Gallery on Siesta Key............. Map-D #11 ATM / BANKS PNC ATM.........................................Map-C #61 Sun Trust Bank & ATM.................... Map-E #4 BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Blaśe Café........................................ Map-A #38 Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar........... Map-B #42-43 Gilligan’s.........................................Map-B #33 My Village Pub......................... Map-C #53/54 Siesta Key Oyster Bar....................Map-B #45 The Beach Club............................... Map-D #22 The Cottage......................................Map-C #58 The Hub-Baja Grill......................... Map-D #59

Map B #42

COFFEE SHOPS Bean Coffeehouse......................... Map-D #62 LeLu’s Coffee Lounge...................Map-B #31 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 Foxy Lady Fashions...................... Map-A #40 Ganja Mon Vibes.............................. Map-D #9 Gidget’s Coastal Provisions.........Map-B #44 Island Boutique............................... Map-B #50 Island Style.......................................Map-C #53 Sea Shanty........................................Map-C #24 Siesta T’s........................................... Map-B #30 The Sandal Factory......................... Map-B #46 GAS STATION Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 GIFTS & SOUVENIRS Beach Bazaar.................................. Map-C #28 Gilligan’s Gift Store........................ Map-B #32 Island Trader....................................Map-C #51 Sea Pleasures & Treasures.............Map-C #29 Siesta Key Outfitters..................... Map-D #12

Barber Scott Reich

Formerly of the Village Barber

Gulf Gate Barbershop Making Gulf Gate look good since the ‘60’s Bringing over 70 years of life lessons and local knowledge to your haircut (trust us, we know alllll about what you did last summer). It’s not just a haircut, it’s life. We know all about it. Let’s laugh, have a beer, and talk nonsense….that’s free. Haircut? That’s gonna cost you…$15, if we like you, $25 if you’re a P.I.T.A. “Best Local Barbers” 20 years in the running Kyle and Scott “to the second power”

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

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

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

For many years, before its purchase by The Observer Group, the Pelican Press called the Lofino Building home. One of the building’s current tenants is Eric Fleming, the attorney who is chair of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

SKOB losing its general manager The August edition of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce newsletter announced that Stephanie Brown, general manager of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) — and secretary of the Chamber’s board since 2017 — is leaving for a new position with Pop’s Sunset Grill on the waterway in Nokomis. Board member Gabe Hartmann of The Inn on Siesta Key has accepted the role as Chamber secretary, the newsletter added. Brown became general manager of SKOB in 2015.

Pauvre plovers encore Indeed, this did not prove to be a good summer for the snowy plovers on Siesta Key. Kylie Wilson, coordinator of Audubon

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941-260-6400

Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Village

SEPTEMBER 2019

Florida’s Bird Monitoring & Stewardship Program in the county, wrote in an email, “On the first day of August I am surprised to say that the breeding season is pretty much over in Sarasota. Our last few Least Tern chicks on Lido began to fly last week and I have seen fewer around overall, a sign that they are making their way to South America for the winter. The Black Skimmers are slowly but surely spreading out and leaving Lido. More Snowy Plovers are arriving at Siesta for the non-breeding season — the recent count was 12. Additionally, we are seeing more of our migratory, wintering species pop up. Among them are the Red Knot, Piping Plover, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plover and Willet.” While Wilson has reported over the past months about the successes of the Least Terns and Black Skimmers in nesting on Lido, she has bemoaned the problems the snowy plovers have endured on Siesta. She reported that 322 black skimmer chicks fledged this season — “A really productive year for these guys!” — and 80 least tern chicks fledged. “Fledge” refers to the ability

of a young bird to handle sustained flight. “Very sadly,” she wrote of the snowy plovers in that Aug. 1 email, “there was no productivity and overall lower numbers this year. We had at most 3 breeding pairs and 7 nests (6 on Siesta and 1 on Lido). It just goes to show that some things are harder to control than people. The primary causes of nest lost were: 1) ghost crabs (3 nests) 2) overwash (2 nests) 3) crows (confirmed, 1 nest) “Hopefully with some more predator management we will be able to restore nesting success for these birds on Siesta. Other issues, like the weather and habitat changes, are less solvable. Still, I am keeping my ‘wings crossed’ for a better season next year.” She did provide one final update on a banded snowy plover she and her volunteers called Ms. Sanibel, as a result of that banding: “In 4 months she had 4 nest attempts on Siesta. And she went on to lay another nest in Englewood. Although she was not successful this season it certainly was not for lack of trying.” Wilson concluded her email with the

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

Arizona EVA

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

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

During the August Siesta Key Association meeting, President Catherine Luckner provided an update on the nonprofit’s efforts to create a new and improved website. “Some of us are on a learning curve,” she acknowledged with a laugh. Director Joyce Kouba has been handling a large part of the work, Luckner noted. People may preview the new website by clicking on a button on the current website, which is www.siestakeyassociation.com. Luckner and Kouba did not offer a timeline for when the project should be completed. Still, they made it clear that they are eager to hear comments on the work in progress. “I would certainly appreciate any feedback… you might have,” Kouba told the members present for the meeting.

Arizona EVA

Great For the Beach or the Pool! $ 95

Map D #64

MASSAGE Hands of Light Massage................ Map-B #35 The Spa at Calle Minorga............... Map-E #74

REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES Coldwell Banker Realty................. Map-D #20 Judith Guzzi & Assoc..................... Map-E #74 Keller Williams Real Estate........... Map-D #11 Michael Saunders Realty..............Map-E #72 ReMax Alliance Group................ Map-C #29 RentSiestaKey.com........................... Map-D #9 Robasota Rentals & Real Estate.... Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental Prop.................. Map-D #10 The Ringling Beach House Rentals...Map-D #9 Tropical Sands Accommodations.....Map-D #67

SKA’s new website remains work in progress

Gizeh Silver

MARKETS/FOOD STORES Circle K Store..................................... Map-E #6 Morton’s Siesta Market................ Map-C #25

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Edward Jones Investments........... Map-D #68 Smith Architects.................................Map-E 74

following: “I am so so thankful for all of you who put in time to volunteer this season! The birds and I would not make it without all of you!!”

Gizeh EVA

MAILING - SHIPPING US Post Office................................. Map-D #65

MISCELLANEOUS Chamber of Commerce................. Map-D #67 Prime Audio Video........................... Map-E #1 Roberti Enterprises........................ Map-A #39

Gizeh EVA

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941-554-4242

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

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Map D #11

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Capt. Curt’s Backroom Saloon................B-3 #7 Crescent Club.......................................... C-3 #13 Sniki Tiki....................................................B-3 #8 DELIS / BAKERIES Anna’s Deli & Sandwiches.................. C-3 #14 Nutritious You......................................... C-3 #14 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery......B-3 #1 DRUG STORES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 FASHION & ACCESSORIES Fin Island Co............................................. A-3 #2 CB’s Saltwater Outfitters........................ A-3 #4 Coconuts Fashion......................................B-3 #1 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 Siesta Creamery....................................... C-3 #14 INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs..................................... C-3 #14 Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 LIQUOR STORES Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 Crescent Club...........................................B-3 #13 Siesta Spirits............................................. C-3 #17

MAILING & SHIPPING Mail Pack Center..................................... C-3 #14 US Post Office Sub Station..................... C-3 #14 MARKETS 7-11 Store.................................................. C-3 #16 Big Water Fish Market.......................... C-3 #17 Crescent Beach Grocery...........................B-3 #1 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 Big Water Fish Market................................C-3 #17

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

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941-346-0202

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Map B-3#8

Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill 1500 Stickney Point Rd.

Anna’s Deli 6535 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Big Water Fish Market 6641 Midnight Pass Road

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 1249 Stickney Point Rd.

MAP A-3 #4

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

Crescent Beach Grocery 1211 Old Stickney Pt. Rd.

MAP B-3 #1

Davidson Drugs 6595 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #14

Siesta 4-Rent 6555 Midnight Pass Rd.

Toasted Mango Cafe 6621 Midnight Pass Rd.

MAP C-3 #17

MAP C-4 #17

MAP C-3 #14

MAP A-5 #12

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

SEPTEMBER 2019

Snapshots of Island Visitors 1

Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

1. Brittany from AK and Brooke from SC 2. Rain celebrating her 16th birthday, Bella and Lynn from Orlando 3. Noemi & Liam age 3 from Virginia 4. Nino & Renata from NY 5. Seth, Samuel, Emma, Artur, & Yulia from Sarasota 6. Yesica & Angelina from Orlando 7. Lucy from Anna Maria Island 8. Stephanie from PA, Hannah, Janelle, Butch, Heidi, & Tom from LWR 9. Alex, Alexa, Kanya, & Maedae from Kissimee 10. Roman, Tabitha, Sabrina age 9, & Cassandra age 6 from NJ 11. Adam & Makiko from NJ 12. Kenzie & Holly from OH 13. The Dowers Family from SRQ & Princeton, NJ

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

Siesta Sounds

It’s no surprise here in southwest Florida to meet people from any major city in the world and even places you’ve never even heard of in your life. What is unusual is to meet someone who is not only an actual Florida native, born and raised here, but one whose professional music career began right here on our own little Siesta Key. Such is the case with Justin Layman, born in Sarasota and raised in the Lockwood Ridge and University Park area, attending Lakewood Ranch High School (Class of 2004), and starting his music career by playing at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) open jam. Trifecta! His nice normal family consisted of a younger sister (now married and the mother of two, living in Bradenton) a mom who cut hair and a dad who worked for UPS. Life was idealistic as he grew up playing baseball and secretly teaching himself guitar. “My mom didn’t even know I’d learned how to play until I got up on stage in a church talent show,” Justin laughs. He went on to play more and more music, in groups at church and “little rock bands” throughout high school. (Baseball had gone by the wayside when Justin, a pitcher, suffered a shoulder injury.) Songwriting came to intrigue him; he describes his projects as both prolific and painstakingly slow. “I usually have 20 to 30 songs in the works at one time,” he explains, “but I may only write a few words at a time in one day.” Understandably, this means he usually writes alone rather than collaborate as his music comes to him at its own pace and can’t be rushed. Which is fine. He ends up with what he wants and is proud to share. There was just one point where Justin left

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

Florida for a couple of years, and he says the motivation was (of course) a girl. He lived in New York for two years (2013-2015), married fellow musician Sara Nelms and then they moved back here four years ago; they now happily settled in and have a 15-month-old baby girl named (wait for it) Brooklyn! This happy high point has slowed his music work a bit, says Justin… concentrating first on married life and now enjoying raising their daughter… but he’s now getting back into playing as well as continuing to write and explore some new sounds. You may have seen and heard Justin on the Key when he’s played the Beach Club, Blasé Café, Gilligan’s, or of course the place where it all started, Siesta Key Oyster Bar. Daiquiri Deck has also been a frequent venue for Justin and will be again through September as he plays their Happy Hour every Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. “I’ve had bands in the past” Justin says, “but the noise ordinance (Sarasota imposed) made it pretty hard for professional musicians to work with drums and a group of players.” Many of them ended up leaving the area or going to smaller configurations… solo or duo acts… in order to keep working. While he enjoys his solo work, he’s also learned ways to get a fuller sound by using looping and even doing a bit of an updated one-man-band act; he plays guitar with his hands and a drum and high-hat with his feet. The result is a bit more sound that just a guitar and provides, he jokes, “quite a workout” at the same time. He’s also been focused on the sounds of both the White Stripes and the Black Keys recently, which is something of a departure for him. Mostly

MONDAY LIVE MUSIC LABOR DAY CLOSED MONDAYS

TUESDAY

CLOSED

SEPTEMBER

CLOSED TUESDAYS

Evan Eastmoore (18 & 25) 7‐10 PM

RPM LIVE 6‐10 PM

6‐10 PM Mike Tozier (4 & 18) Deven Starr (11 & 25)

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

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

1‐5 PM: nd Chris Connolley (2 ) Frankie Lombardi (9th) th Marko Coconut (16 ) Jordy (23rd) Hoosier Daddy (30th) ………………………………. Al Donadi 7‐11 PM

1‐5 PM: J. Gilton (3 & 17) David Morris (10 & 24) …………………………….. Open mic night (3 & 17) th Audio Orchid (10 ) th Gave Strange (24 ) 7‐11 PM

Karaoke Mondays 9 PM – Midnight

THE COTTAGE In the Village 941-312-9300

Live Music 6-9 PM

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

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

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

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 CASEY KEY FISH HOUSE 801 Blackburn Pt. Rd, Osprey 941‐966‐1901

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

1‐5 PM: Frankie Raye (4 & 18) Deven Starr (11 & 25) ……………………. Kettle of Fish 7‐11 PM

CLOSED

THURSDAY TH

3 ‐ 17

LIVE MUSIC (19 & 26) 7‐10 PM

RPM LIVE ‐ 6‐10 PM DJ Nate – 10 PM

FRIDAY

SUNDAY st

The Whole Band (20 & 27) 7‐10 PM

Kid Memphis Trio (21 ) th Frankie Lombardi (28 ) 7‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ TJ (10 PM)

LIVE MUSIC (3‐7 PM) DJ K Conn (10 PM)

6‐10 PM Kettle of Fish DJ KConn – 10 PM

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

1‐5 PM: Dana & Co. ………………………. FolkLab 7‐11 PM

SATURDAY

2‐6 PM Whiteleather ………………………….. 8‐Midnight th Big Daddy (6 ) th Charlie Morris Band (13 ) th Deven Starr (20 ) th Folklab (27 )

Papa Foxtrot (1, 22,29) 7‐10 PM BREE (3‐7 PM) 1 PM LIVE MUSIC 6 PMLIVE MUSIC DJ Tuesday – 10 PM

Eddie James Jazz Band 7‐10 PM

8 – 11 PM th 22N (7 ) th Stereo FM (14 ) st New Divide (21 ) th CLOSED (28 ) DJ Kensi: 11 PM – 2 AM

10 AM ‐ 1 PM st Vince Colaiocco (1 ) Mike Tozier (8 & 22) Gabe Strange (15 & 29) 2‐6 PM Evan Eastmoore (1,15,29) th Nick Levalley (8 ) nd Hannah Jae (22 ) 7 ‐11 PM: Hatley (1,15,29) The Whole Band (8 & 22) 8‐Midnight st #NoFIlter (1 ) rd Nick LeValley (3 ) th Ari and the Alivis (16 ) nd Noel Rockford (22 ) th CLOSED (29 )

11 AM – 2 PM th John Bastiani (7 ) th Brek Milo (14 ) Deven Starr (21 & 28) 3‐7 PM th Frankie Lombardi (7 ) Evan Eastmoore (14 & 28) st Danny Fox (21 ) Mike Tozier 8‐Midnight

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 – 6:30 PM 7-10 PM

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

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

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

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

LIVE MUSIC 5‐9 PM

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

KARAOKE 9 PM – CLOSE LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

SEPTEMBER

Charmaine Engelsman-Robins is a Chicago-born, award-winning writer of screenplays and articles, including a 10 year stint writing for the Sarasota Herald Tribune. She has lived in SW FL most of her life and, as an animal rescuer, has occasionally been forced to support this work with temporary straight jobs that she lists on a secret “resume” titled “My Little List of Things I Never Want To Have To Do Again.” She won’t have to if you keep reading her articles, and she thanks you all very much for saving her from that horrible fate.

DJ Coz or DJ Kensi 9 PM – 2 AM

With three albums under his belt and a good deal of touring miles already logged in New York and Florida, Justin says he’s looking forward to more of the same as well as enjoying his family life to the max. Shouldn’t be too hard to do here in Paradise when you’ve got so much going on. And now he’s passing it on to the next Layman generation of native Floridians… even if she is named for a New York neighborhood! We wish them the best and are glad they’re sharing their joy, music, and next generation right here with us.

8‐11 PM: th Mixed Signal (6 ) th Tropical Ave (13 ) th TL (20 ) th CLOSED (27 ) Live DJ: 11 PM‐2 AM

LIVE MUSIC 6‐10 PM

he “gears the music to the audience” and does covers “especially those you don’t usually hear other bands play.” In addition to getting back into the groove of playing out, Justin’s maintaining a Facebook page where he frequently offers live video feed of his gigs when circumstances permit (www.facebook/ JustinLaymanMusic.com), a ReverbNation web site (https://www.reverbnation. com/JustinLayman), and a podcast (www. justinlaymansterms.com) where the posted purpose is “to talk to others about their experiences in the music industry, and share his own stories.”

Rodney Shenk 6‐10 PM

THE BEACH CLUB In the Village 941-349-6311

Justin Layman

WEDNESDAY

GILLIGANS In the Village 941-346-8122

BACKROOM SALOON @ CAPT. CURTS Crescent Beach Shops 941‐349‐3885 SNIKI TIKI @ CAPT CURTS Crescent Beach Shops 941‐349‐3885

www.siestasand.net

By Charmaine Engelsman-Robins

Singer/Songwriter (and now dad) Justin Layman

CLUB

941.349.0194

3RD ‐ 26TH

LIVE MUSIC 3‐6 PM

LIVE MUSIC 4‐8 PM

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

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

LIVE MUSIC 3‐7 PM

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Humor The older I get, the more I have in common with computers. We both start with lots of memory and drive, then become outdated, crash unexpectedly, and eventually have to have our parts replaced. Why is it that brain cells, hair cells and skin cells all die constantly, but fat cells seem to have eternal life? It’s ok to talk to yourself. Heck, now a days, it’s even ok to answer yourself. But when you ask yourself to repeat what you just said, you may have a problem. When I was young I decided to go to medical school. At the entrance exam, we were asked to rearrange the letters: P N E I S, and form the name of an important human body part which is most useful when erect. Those who answered SPINE are doctors today, while the rest are on Facebook… A man received the following text from his neighbor:

“I am so sorry but I’ve been riddled with guilt and have to confess something to you. “ “I have been helping myself to your wife, day and night when you’re not around. In fact, probably more than you. I do not get it at home, and I know that’s no excuse.” “I can no longer live with the guilt and hope you’ll accept my sincerest apology with the promise that it won’t ever happen again.” Bob, in complete shock, was trying to absorb this devastating news when another text came in from the same neighbor. “OMG, this stupid auto-correct! I meant WI-FI!” A new supermarket opened near my house. It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain. When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and experience the scent of fresh hay. When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, and the air is filled with the

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pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying. The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn. I don’t buy toilet paper there anymore. One day, I’m going to judge a spelling bee. I’ll ask one of the kids to spell the word “there.” When s/he asks for it in a sentence, I’ll say… “Their car is parked over there and they’re late.”

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Welcome to Siesta Key Oyster Bar Siesta Key Oyster Bar (or as the locals call it “SKOB”) is the hangout with the laidback, beachy atmosphere that will get you right into the Island Spirit. When you’re at SKOB you feel right at home, like you’re hanging out with good friends on your back patio (although chances are the ceiling of your patio is not covered in dollar bills). They are a Hot Spot in Siesta Key Village! SKOB invites all to come in for great food, fresh oysters, cold beer, live music, and tons of fun! 5238 Ocean Blvd., SK Village 941-346-5443

Remember when you were younger and dropped something? Just pick it up…no problem. Drop something when you’re older and you stare at it for a bit contemplating if you actually need it. Carrots may be good for your eyes, but booze doubles your vision. The iconic SKOB look, makes it one of the most fun places to visit

I feel sorry for Netflix era kids. They will never know the high stakes adrenaline of running to the bathroom/fridge/bedroom in a single ad break, with the beckoning call of a sibling screaming “It’s ONNNNNNN,” to send you hurdling over furniture to get back in time.

Try one of the many great food dishes

Grandma and Grandpa were visiting their grandkids overnight. When Grandpa found a bottle of Viagra in his son’s medicine cabinet, he asked if he could take one of the pills. The son said, “I don’t think you should take one Dad, they’re very strong and expensive.” “How much?” asked Grandpa. “$10.00 a pill,” answered the son. “I don’t care,” said Grandpa, “I’d still like to try one, and before we leave in the morning, I’ll put the money under the pillow.” Later the next morning, the son found $110. Under the pillow. He called Grandpa and said, “You only took one pill, but you left $110 under the pillow.” “I know,” said Grandpa. “The hundred is from Grandma!” I’m in favor of a law that requires all telemarketers to wear shock collars that can be activated by pressing the pound (#) key.

The ceiling and walls are covered in dollar bills from patrons

Karaoke Thursday, Friday & Saturday

You’ll always hear great live music during the day and at night

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

Water World

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

Snook will move back inshore in September

September is the month that redfish begin schooling up in Sarasota. The expansive shallow flats in Sarasota Bay are traditionally the most productive areas to fish. A low, incoming tide in the morning is preferred, allowing anglers to see the large schools of reds. As the tide rises, the fish will work up from the edges of flats and holes onto the grass to feed. Locating the fish can be difficult under flood tide conditions; there is just too much water up on the flat to effectively sight fish. Speckled trout fishing has been rebounding this year and this should continue in September. Deeper flats will produce more fish, while the larger specimens may be found in shallow water. A topwater or shallow diving plug worked over bars at first light is a deadly technique for fooling gator trout. Anglers fishing the deep grass will catch a variety of species this month including bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, pompano, gag grouper, and ladyfish. Both live bait and artificial lures will catch plenty of fish. A Bass Assassin grub on a ¼ ounce jig head is a great choice for anglers who enjoy casting artificial lures. Olive (08) X-Raps and other plugs are also effective along with gold and silver spoons. A live shrimp under a popping cork is a time-proven technique for catching “specks” on the West Coast of Florida. Snook will migrate from the beaches back into the bays. Both passes will be great spots to fish, especially on

afternoon outgoing tides. The bars and mangrove shorelines along Siesta Key are prime spots as the fish move towards their fall feeding areas. Artificial baits will allow anglers to cover more water, while a well full of pilchards practically guarantees success. Redfish, large speckled trout, jack crevelle, and mangrove snapper may also be encountered while pursuing the mighty snook. Lighted docks and bridges are snook magnets and will provide great action for anglers looking to catch fish and escape the summer sun. Live and artificial shrimp free lined in the tide are deadly, as are small white flies. Surf fishing off the Siesta Key beaches should be good for snook, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, pompano, and other species. Point of Rocks is the best spot as there is a lot of fish-holding structure, but any stretch of beach is likely to produce. Live bait such as shrimp and small bait fish works great. A #1 live bait hook with a short piece of leader and a split shot is the preferred rig. Spoons, plugs, and jigs are also effective baits in the surf. The rocks and bridges in Big Pass will be excellent spots to target mangrove snapper this month. These tasty saltwater panfish will be migrating out of the bay and into the Gulf of Mexico. Slack tides are the best times to drop a live shrimp or bait fish along the structure. Don’t be surprised if a big snook intercepts a bait meant for a mang!

941.349.0194

The SKM Experience The Siesta Key Marina experience is your one-stopshop for food, fun and family time on the water. The marina’s features include: boat rentals, sunset cruises and adventure trips aboard Fun Boat Tours; private, customized fishing charters with SiestaKation; and the brand-new tiki hut at Spear Fish Grille. We caught up with Sarasota residents Wally and Joanne Goulet while enjoying lunch inside Spear Fish. “A friend told me it was fabulous with fresh fish, a great atmosphere, but hard to find.” Co-owner Maurice Dentici says Siesta Key Marina is a local secret spot, and adds you must know Sarasota in order to find 1265 Old Stickney Point Road. The marina has been serving boaters and fishermen since 1961. They will be highlighting ways you can enjoy the Siesta Key Marina experience and get to know the locals involved with its evolution each month here in the Siesta Sand publication. This month we take a deep dive into Spear Fish Grille, with the fresh catch, craft brews and fun atmosphere. According to Chef James Wofford, the people are what make this place so special. “All of this is run by local Sarasota business owners, we know our local captains, the families that come here boating, it’s all about being really close and knowing one another, knowing the food we serve is the freshest catch, and the best the Gulf has to offer.” James started cooking with his grandmother when he was 3 and says her inspiration is still alive today in the unique menu he’s constantly changing. “You won’t find our specials on any other menu. The focus is on local Gulf fish with a southern flare, eastern twist and Polynesian touch.” The Gulf Gate residents we spoke with loved the middle grounds fresh tacos with hogfish and the ahi tuna sammy. “It was outstanding. We haven’t had fish this fresh since we lived in Guam and would get the fish off the boat ourselves,” says Wally Goutlet. His wife, Joanne, agreed. “It’s a very casual atmosphere. I feel like I left reality and we aren’t anywhere close to home enjoying this kind of meal, almost like we’re on vacation. You usually have to

www.siestasand.net

By Kandace P.

go to a fancy establishment to enjoy the lunch we just ate.” Wally says they will definitely be regulars. “It’s so good that we don’t want others to find out about it, but we do want this place to succeed at the same time,” Joanne says as she laughs. We will shift our focus from food to fun in next month’s edition. In the meantime, you can check out Siesta Key Marina, Fun Boat Tours, SiestaKation and Spear Fish Grille online and on Instagram, Facebook, Yelp and Trip Advisor.

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

4&20 Pasty Co.....................................................................................5638 Swift Rd. A’s Sandwich.........................................................................6300 S. Tamiami Trail Abel’s Ice Cream: Southbridge Plaza................................. 1886 Stickney Pt. Rd. Alpine Steak House..............................................................4520 S. Tamiami Trail Best Western Plus..................................................................6600 S. Tamiami Trail Casey Key Fish House..............................................801 Blackburn Point, Osprey Corkscrew Deli: Landings Shopping Plaza * .................4982 S. Tamiami Trail Culver’s...................................................................................7520 S. Tamiami Trail Dutch Valley Restaurant.....................................................6721 S. Tamiami Trail Eager Beaver Carwash *.......................................................6449 S. Tamiami Trail Economy Tackle *..................................................................6018 S. Tamiami Trail Fresh Catch Market & Grill: Buccaneer Plaza.................7119 S. Tamiami Trail Gecko’s Restaurant...............................................................6606 S. Tamiami Trail Grasshopper Mexican Restaurant & Bar..........................7253 S. Tamiami Trail Gulf Gate Food + Beer............................................................. 6528 Superior Ave. Hibiscus Suites...................................................................1735 Stickney Point Rd. McDonalds..............................................................................6347 S Tamiami Trail Only for Eyes Optical / GG..................................................... 6541 Superior Ave. 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.

www.siestasand.net

941.349.0194

SEPTEMBER 2019

Gulf Coast Fishery Reel Tight Fishing Charters

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

Summer fishing fun

941-444-9749 / reeltightfishingcarters.com

Growing up on the West Coast of Florida (Sarasota, Siesta Key) and fishing since I can remember, I have always been fond of snook. The common snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) thrive in our waters and are found as far West as Texas and as far South as Costa Rica. There are many different types of snook but the common snook is prevalent to and from Naples and Tampa. I was called the other day to help out a professional fishing team in Grand Isle, Louisiana. They primarily fish for large pelagic species like blue Junior Angler with a nice marlin and yellowfin tuna, but mangrove snapper today’s trip was a nearshore trip 20 miles out to the oil rigs. Mangrove snappers were our target species and a successful week of catching them grew our confidence in placing for the CCA Legislators Tournament. The only hitch was we had a boat load of kids! These mangrove snappers are no joke, especially with oil rigs that have tower legs from top to bottom in 90-100 ft. of water, and are a challenge for any skill level of angler. We started the day around 6:30 a.m. and had the boat loaded up and ready to go. Our junior anglers arrived with their dads. We had a few representatives from the Louisiana government, so we had everything tight, right and ready to go! We bolted offshore in our 58’ Jarret Bay. Jarret Bay is a custom boat builder out of North Carolina. Her name is the “Whoo Dat,” she is named after the New Orleans Saints football team. The owner is a huge fan, just as are most cajuns in this area. We started out fishing some baits on the surface and hooked up immediately. I know it sounds a little crazy to catch a snapper (mostly a bottom dwelling fish),but here on the oil rigs you have structure from top to bottom and the fish find it very appetizing as the small bait fish use the tower legs as a food source and for protection. We caught a few nice fish and then the sharks moved in. We moved to another oil rig and knew it was going to be a better round of catching. We dropped some chum and the water lit up with nice snappers, sharks and a few cobia! We caught a big mangrove snapper and while we finished putting that fish in the box our next little angler had a drag screamer. I looked over and saw a nice fish racing along the surface. “It’s a cobia, it’s a cobia,” Capt. Chris yelled. I could tell by the pitch in his voice it was a good fish and we needed that species for the tournament. After a ten minute fight and a few circles around the boat we landed the fish and cheered!! We went back to fishing and caught a few more mangroves snapper. Time for weigh in. Now most big sport fish boats cruise at 24-28 knots. The “Whoo Dat” is a custom made boat designed for speed and rough water. Being that it was slick calm we were able to cruise at 32 knots and made it back to the dock with plenty of time to spare. Our junior anglers were beyond excited as they watched their names go up on the leader board. 1st place mangrove snapper as well as the 3rd place mangrove snapper! We also had the 3rd place cobia! Big smiles for everybody and some beautiful trophies for the kids and a few cheers and chuckles for the adults. The CCA in Louisiana is made up of government and state officials. Their desire to sustain the fishery is amazing. They all are fishermen and fisherwomen. They all have their kids fully involved in the conservation side of fishing. They teach and preach how important it is to let the little ones go and limit what you take home. I only hope that as a charter boat company owner that I can help show our state officials how crucial our fishery is to us and how many people’s lives depend on it. Sarasota has some of the most beautiful waters, yet we find ourselves struggling to keep fish alive. From fertilizer running off into the bay to waste management facilities, we have to do a better job as humans. If we don’t start to work on the management of our eco system our kids and their children will never get to experience the type of fishing we have. I know in my 37 years on this earth, I have seen drastic change, and not for the better. To sustain our fishery at home we will need to do a better job to reduce our human footprint. Our captains need to keep an eye out for trash floating in the water and make sure to keep their trash in the boat. Little things can go a long way, and during turtle nesting season it is especially important to keep single use plastics out of the water. Be safe on the water, catch some fish and if you can, pick up a piece of garbage that you see. I promise you’ll feel better about yourself!

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.

CB’s Saltwater Outfitters 941-349-4400

Reel Tight Fishing Charters 941-444-9749

SiestaKation Charters 941-993-7337

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

September 2019

N 27° 20' / W 82° 33' Date

Day

2:35a

High Tide 1.8

2:38p

High Tide 2.5

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

8:50a

3:01a

1.9

3:35p

3:30a

2.0

4:38p

4:05a

2.2

4:46a

2.2

5:38a

6:46a

Low Tide 0.7

9:52p

Low Tide 0.6

7:09a

7:51p

9:28a

9:52p

2.2

9:47a

0.6

10:23p

0.8

7:10a

7:50p

10:34a

10:31p

1.9

10:49a

0.6

10:52p

1.1

7:10a

7:49p

11:38a

11:12p

5:58p

1.6

11:58a

0.5

11:20p

1.3

7:11a

7:48p

12:40p

11:54p

7:53p

1.6

1:18p

0.5

11:49p

1.4

7:11a

7:47p

1:41p

2.3

2:44p

0.5

7:12a

7:46p

2:40p

12:38a

2.2

4:04p

0.4

7:12a

7:45p

3:35p

1:26a

8:08a

2.2

5:07p

0.3

7:12a

7:44p

4:26p

2:15a

12:11a

1.6

9:28a

2.2

3:49a

1.6

5:57p

0.3

7:13a

7:42p

5:13p

3:07a

12:34a

1.7

10:31a

2.3

5:02a

1.5

6:38p

0.3

7:13a

7:41p

5:56p

4:01a

12:54a

1.7

11:23a

2.3

5:53a

1.4

7:12p

0.4

7:14a

7:40p

6:35p

4:54a

1:09a

1.7

12:06p

2.3

6:34a

1.2

7:41p

0.5

7:14a

7:39p

7:11p

5:47a

1:21a

1.7

12:44p

2.3

7:09a

1.0

8:07p

0.6

7:15a

7:38p

7:44p

6:39a

1:30a

1.8

1:19p

2.3

7:42a

0.9

8:29p

0.6

7:15a

7:37p

8:16p

7:31a

1:41a

1.9

1:54p

2.2

8:16a

0.7

8:51p

0.7

7:16a

7:35p

8:47p

8:23a

1:56a

2.0

2:31p

2.1

8:51a

0.6

9:13p

0.9

7:16a

7:34p

9:18p

9:14a

2:17a

2.1

3:11p

2.0

9:31a

0.6

9:35p

1.0

7:17a

7:33p

9:51p

10:07a

2:43a

2.2

3:58p

1.8

10:16a

0.5

9:59p

1.1

7:17a

7:32p

10:26p

11:00a

3:14a

2.3

4:57p

1.7

11:09a

0.5

10:25p

1.3

7:17a

7:31p

11:05p

11:55a

3:52a

2.3

6:22p

1.6

12:14p

0.5

10:51p

1.4

7:18a

7:29p

11:49p

12:52p

4:37a

2.3

1:32p

0.5

7:18a

7:28p

5:36a

2.3

2:56p

0.4

7:19a

7:27p

12:38a

2:49p

6:55a

2.3

11:26p

1.6

4:11p

0.3

7:19a

7:26p

1:34a

3:46p

8:27a

2.4

11:49p

1.7

2:53a

1.6

5:13p

0.2

7:20a

7:25p

2:35a

4:40p

9:50a

2.4

4:21a

1.5

6:04p

0.2

7:20a

7:24p

3:40a

5:30p

12:11a

1.7

10:59a

2.5

5:25a

1.2

6:48p

0.2

7:21a

7:22p

4:48a

6:17p

12:31a

1.8

12:00p

2.5

6:19a

0.9

7:27p

0.4

7:21a

7:21p

5:57a

7:01p

12:50a

1.9

12:55p

2.5

7:09a

0.7

8:02p

0.6

7:22a

7:20p

7:05a

7:42p

1:11a

2.0

1:49p

2.4

7:58a

0.5

8:32p

0.8

7:22a

7:19p

8:12a

8:23p

1:34a

2.1

2:43p

2.2

8:48a

0.3

9:00p

1.0

7:23a

7:18p

9:19a

9:04p

Phase

1st

Full

1:51p 3rd

New

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

Arts on the Horizon September Song Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra both, along with many others, recorded September Song. That tune was a great hit in cocktail lounges near closing time, along with One More For The Road and Danny Boy. It would bring a tear to everyone’s eye and an extra five bucks in the tip jar for the piano player. One person who never recorded it is Frankie Valli, which is strange since the tribute show, Who Loves You: To Frankie Valli and Beyond, is at Florida Studio Theatre for 36 shows in a month that has only 30 days. Yes, it seems that Frankie Valli owns the month of September (and the first two weeks in October for another 15 shows as well). So, while there is no September Song, just remember to be happy because Big Girls Don’t Cry. But September does not belong to Mr. Valli alone. While doing sole recordings and appearances he also was the lead singer of the Four Seasons. Both Valli and the group were big here in the U.S. but were also greatly appreciated in the UK, hitting the top of the charts over there even before their successes here. In Sarasota you’ll be hearing the voices of Mick Bleyer, Charlie Levy, Michael Maricondi, and Peter Romagna. While none of these gentlemen were original members of the Four Seasons, a number of members of the Four Seasons were not original members of the Four Seasons either. Some came and went, and some were in and out - and in again. Early in Valli’s career his day job, like his father’s, was barbering. But, like so many great artists (especially in the movie versions of their lives) he knew he was destined to sing - and sing he did. He and the Four Seasons had quite a string of hits starting with Sherry and continuing with Walk Like a Man, My Eyes Adored You, and Rag Doll. This group for all seasons will be singing these hits and many more. Interestingly, during the middle of his career Mr. Valli developed otosclerosis and was deaf or partially deaf from 1967 to 1990. He continued singing on stage and did so from memory in the 1970s, not being able to hear himself as he sang. So with Valli, it was not just being able to sing a song, it was also being able to sell it. And having great songs didn’t hurt either. Many went on to be covered by other artists, some of which copied his arrangements note

941.349.0194

By Rodger Skidmore

790

Grand Re-Opening No, not Amore’s restaurant at Burns Court. Although if you want good Italian fusion (and coming soon, delicious Portuguese dishes) along with live music four nights a week, that’s a good choice. And no, not the re-opening of Beach Road on Siesta Key - although there are plenty of reasons that residents of Siesta Key and the greater world should be able to access that beautiful stretch of scenic wonder. No, September hosts the annual re-opening of the art galleries at Ringling College. The first show, opening August 30th, is that of Ken Spirduso at the Selby Gallery. In this show Spirduso’s studies and sketches are on display with emphasis on historical paintings and equestrian art. Is there a link between Ringling College and Mr. Spirduso? Yes, he is on the illustration faculty and has worked commercially on a variety of visual media. This would include film (Mulan, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, John Henry, and Thumbelina) and video games (Call of Duty, Star Wars, and Tron). The exhibit at the Stulberg Gallery showcases more than 30 members of the Ringling faculty and will probably have some photos by Tom Carabasi. Earlier this year a number of his photographs were on display at the Art Ovation Hotel and at Art Center Sarasota. It would be nice if recordings by his group, The Jazz Samba Quartet, were played during gallery viewing hours. There is nothing wrong with pleasing ones ears as well as ones eyes. Some political parties say they have a big tent. Well, Ringling College has a big umbrella - and underneath are lots of artists. In addition to the Ringling faculty there is the Ringling staff and the instructors at the School of Continuing Studies and the Englewood Arts Center. A display of their combined works is at the Basch and Smith galleries. One can also pay a visit to the Flamingo Inn at the Pat Thompson Alumni Gallery to see the combined works of Morgan Janssen and Shawn Pettersen. While they graduated ten years apart (2003 and 2013) from the Ringling, they are joined here in, well, not harmony, but more in the dislocation that effects all of us as we travel through our own space

simple burials

1,195

time continuum. All of these September shows will end at the end of September or the first week in October. Info at Ringling.edu.

for note. More info on these notes at FloridaStudioTheatre. org.

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

www.siestasand.net

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

Sarasota Opera starts in November The opera version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite is called Iolanta but the opera season doesn’t start till November in Sarasota and, anyway, they are not doing Iolanta this year. The Royal Ballet version of The Nutcracker is a wonderful alternative but, even if you go to London this December, no performance is scheduled. So, how to get Christmas in September? Go see Peter Write’s production of this fantastic ballet at the Sarasota Opera House on September 8th. Some say seeing it on the big screen is better than the real thing because of the closeups. You get the music, the dance and can zoom in on the fantastic costumes. A traditionalist, and like your Christmas with snow on the ground but are still yearning for some opera - right now? Then don’t watch the Royal Ballet, watch the Royal Opera. Richard Eyre’s production of La Traviata on September 22nd is at the Sarasota Opera House. Ah, but a question arises - Which Richard Eyre/Royal Opera version? The 1994 one with Angela Gheorghiu as Violetta, the 2009 version with Renée Fleming, the 2015 Venera Grimadieva, or the sensational one from this year with Emonela Jaho. Let’s go with the sensational one where Ms. Jaho subbed for Anna Netrebko and became a star. But if you want your La Traviata with the possibility of snow on the ground, feel free to fly to London. It will be at Covent Garden in January. Forget Christmas, want Halloween in September? Then the SOH is the place for you on Sept. 6th when the classic Mel Brook’s masterpiece Young Frankenstein (the black and white version) is being shown. An all-star cast with Gene Wilder, Peter Brooks, Cloris Leachman and Madeline Kahn. Like ballet, opera, and film but want more? Then the Taste of Downtown is just the thing for you. Many of downtown Sarasota’s favorite restaurants will be at the Opera House on the 21st pairing some tasty bites of their best dishes with fine wine and assorted beers. Still not satisfied? Entertainment will be provided by the Sarasota Youth Opera - for which this evening is a fundraising event (are you thinking tax write-off?). More information (but no tax advice) at SarasotaOpera.org.

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 941320-6693 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… • SEP 21 (SAT) 7:30 -11AM / YMCA SHARKS TRIATHLON: Registration Deadline: September 15, 2019. “The Original Siesta Key Triathlon” has been held annually on the #1 beach in the USA since 1985 with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Sarasota Sharks Swim Team. The race consists of a 0.3-mile Swim in the Gulf of Mexico just out from the iconic lifeguard towers of Siesta Key Beach. The bike loop is a fast 13-miles along an open course south to Turtle Beach, north through Siesta Key Village, and back. The 3.1-mile run takes you out to the hard packed white sands of Siesta Key Beach, south along the shoreline to the turnaround at Old Stickney Pt. Rd. Beach Access and back. For more information or to register, please go to following website: runsignup. com/Race/Events/FL/ Sarasota/SiestaKeyTriathlon AROUND THE ISLAND… • PALM AVENUE FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK / 6-9PM: Every month local galleries open their doors to the public for the evening, offering a chance to meet with artists and admire their work. See website for location map. palmavenue.org • TOWLES COURT THIRD FRIDAY ARTWALKS / 5-9PM: Gallery and studio openings on a moonlit evening of fun and beauty- both natural and handcrafted beauty. Free music, events, refreshments. Meet the artists, shop and dine in authentic “Old Florida” in downtown Sarasota. 1938 Adams Lane Sarasota, Florida 34236. www.towlescourt.com

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SEPTEMBER 2019

Your Monthly Horoscope • ARIES (March 21–April 19): Things will turn around—and pick up speed— this month as Saturn corrects course in your career zone (18th) and three planets relocate to your partnership realm later in the month. You may have felt like you were spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast, but in reality, you’ve been laying the groundwork for some exciting new developments. A little more patience, then you can flap your wings and take off! • TAURUS (April 20–May 20): It’s safe to start planning that epic trip in earnest—in fact, after the 18th, you should definitely plan to go somewhere! Constraining Saturn ends a four-and-ahalf-month retrograde in your travel and adventure zone, making now an ideal time to widen your horizons. September is also a great month for romancing, thanks to passionate Mars heating up your zone d’amour. Regardless of your relationship status, there’s plenty of canoodling in your future! • GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Energizing Mars has set up shop in your domestic quarters, and he’s getting pretty comfortable there! It could take a lot of persuasion to lure you out of your casa this month… although the right offer will certainly do the trick! For single Geminis, the second half of September is brimming with passionate possibilities, especially around the new moon on the 28th. Sparkling conversation will be an alluring aphrodisiac, so make sure serious suitors have the gift of gab! • CANCER (June 21-July 22): Issues you’ve been dealing with in a key partnership work themselves out this month as testy Saturn in your relationship realm corrects course on the 18th after four and a half frustrating months of spinning backward! You may have felt as if you were talking to a wall or like the situation was unresolvable. But now, whether through professional mediation or “divine” intervention, things are magically moving forward. Don’t harp on the past; just enjoy the harmonious new vibes! • LEO (July 23–August 22): This summer might have provided you with an opportunity to review certain financial arrangements—whether by choice or necessity—but the good news is that by the end of September, you’ll have gotten things back on track. (Or least headed in the right direction!) Four planets have been heating up your money and security sector, which can help you get ahead or inspire some big-ticket purchases. But by the 23rd, you should be able to close the books…and exhale! • VIRGO (August 23-September 22): If you don’t even know where your summer went, you’ll be grateful when three of the four planets that have been revving up the action in your sign move on to your sector of money and security. While things might be a little quieter, you’ll feel more in control of your time and your finances! Plus, taskmaster Saturn corrects course in your sector of romance and creativity, filing your head with ideas on just how to spend all that free time! • LIBRA (September 23–October 22): If things have been a little too quiet lately, sit tight. The plot is about to thicken this month, and you might almost regret ruing the tranquility! Between the 13th and 23rd, three planets make their annual entrance into your sign,

By Suzanne Gerber

ratcheting up your social (and, if you’re single, romantic) life for the next four weeks. And on the 18th, when solemn Saturn corrects course in your domestic quarters, you’ll be ready to kick those renovation/redecorating plans into high gear! • SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): Friendships and your involvement in social or volunteer groups will shift into a higher gear later this month as the planets favor socializing and deepening bonds with important people in your life. After the 23rd, however, you may need more time and space to yourself. Just don’t pull a sudden disappearing act. You might think no one will notice, but they will—and the more sensitive among them could take it personally. • SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21): Your professional life has been following a vertical trajectory, and this month, your efforts could finally bear fruit. With a quartet of planets, including revitalizing Mars, in your career corner for the past several weeks, you’ve had energy to burn. Before the high-profile Sun leaves this sector on the 23rd—but after restraining Saturn straightens out in your money zone on the 18th—you could see a big payday. Go ahead and laugh…all the way to the bank! • CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19): Restrictions and limitations begone! Finally, after four and a half frustrating months of back-spinning in your sign, your own cosmic custodian, solemn Saturn, resumes forward motion and lets you get on with all those big exciting plans that got shoved to a back burner in the spring. You might feel more energized and motivated— which is convenient because suddenly you have a hundred new ideas you’re dying to get off the ground. One at a time, though, please! • AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): You may have grown way closer to someone this summer, which could have caught both of you by surprise! While it’s been a sweet “getting-to-know-you” phase, the pedal may hit the metal later this month when three planets leave your intimacy zone and hit the road (in your travel and adventure sector). If you’ve been afraid a “real” conversation would rock the boat, think again. Now’s the time for honesty and transparency—with equal doses of compassion! • PISCES (February 18–March 20): There may be a “what exactly is this relationship” moment later this month, so don’t let it catch you off-guard. With the action equally hot in both your partnership and friendship sectors, one person in particular may be confusing you with their mixed signals and “approach/avoidance” behavior. (Or wait: Could you the culprit?) Do some soul searching so that by the end of the month, you’ll know how you truly feel. Attached? Surprise your beloved with a romantic getaway! Suzanne Gerber (www.starsandstoneshealing.com) is a locally based intuitive astrologer, shamanic/energy practitioner and spiritual life coach and loves one-on-one private sessions. She is available in-person and by phone (by appointment). Or book her for your next psychic event!

MarinerWord MarinerWord Search Search

Answers on page 34

WORDLIST LIST WORD Beachboat boat Beach Bright colors

Bright colors Buoyancy

Buoyancy

Canoeing

Collapsible

Collapsible Day cruising Day cruising Excursion Excursion Fish are jumping Flexible tubes Fish are jumping Floaty toy Flexible tubes Kayaking

Floaty toy

Kids raft boat

Kayaking

Lazy river

Kids raft boat Lightweight

Lazy river Living is easy Lightweight Play in water Rigid is hull Living easy Rollinupwater Play Rowhull your boat Rigid Rubber dinghy

Roll up

Runabout

Row your boat

Summer escape

Rubber dinghy Trailerable

Runabout Tropicana Summer escape Warm water Waterskiing Trailerable Yacht tender Tropicana

Warm water Waterskiing Answers on Page 57

www.TheMariner.com www.TheMariner.com

SUMMER INFLATABLES INFLATABLES SUMMER

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ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 35 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 34 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 30

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: 750 SIESTA KEY CIR., SOLD FOR: $2,260,000 A stunning 2013 coastal contemporary light and bright waterfront home. Location is the coveted Baypoint - Siesta Key Circle neighborhood. There is no need for your demanding buyers to endure the exorbitant expense and lengthy schedules of a new build. Custom built by one of Sarasota’s finest, for the original owner, this home is solid concrete block construction throughout all levels, loads of Andersen Impact glass, multiple zoned AC, hybrid instant hot water system, salt water pool and so much more. There are 4 large bedrooms each with their own en-suite bath, wood floors, open kitchen-family room with top end finishes and appliances, and fantastic details throughout. On the ground level there is a huge air-conditioned gym/ media room and a 3 car garage. The cul-de-sac property is on 160 feet of protected sailboat waterfront with a 60 ft. dock, and no bridges out. The sale on this unit came out to $536.43 a square foot. Courtesy of ReMax Alliance. LOWEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY: 4408 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., SOLD FOR: $475,000. The LOWEST priced single family home on ALL of Siesta Key! Priced over $100K UNDER appraised value and priced under assessed value. 1/2 acre, 5 bedrooms - private gated BEACH ACCESS. The quintessential Siesta Key opportunity! Situated on over a 1/2 acre parcel on the North end of Siesta Key, this property offers the benefit of walking distance to Siesta Key Village as well as private gated beach access. Also located a stone’s throw from the renowned Out Of Door Academy. The Private Coconut Bayou beach access is a great bonus that comes with this property. Just a short stroll across the street is gated access to the beach featuring an entertaining pavilion, fire pit, seating and beach front parking. No need to fight the crowds! For the investor, update the property now for rental income or look at the potential for a new build. With over 1/2 acre of land and adjacent to a park, there are multiple ways a great home could be designed on this parcel. The value is in the land! Now listed well below lot value. Courtesy of Michael Saunders HIGHEST PRICED CONDO: 6100 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #202, SOLD FOR: $4,100,000 Newly March 2019 completed condo. Halcyon is a 4 story boutique development where modern architecture rises from a tropical setting situated directly on Siesta Key Beach. At the end of a private drive, Halcyon represents the pinnacle of luxury coastal living and offers the rarest of opportunities to own such a grand residence directly on the beach. Featuring an open floor plan with 3900 sq. ft. each residence has floor to ceiling windows and wide wood planked floors. Sleek kitchens with Wolf and Sub Zero appliances are designed to maximize form and function. Cabinetry, countertops, and finishes have been thoughtfully selected from luxurious materials. Oversized terraces with tongue and groove Cyprus ceilings provide a glamorous stage for entertaining guests and watching the ever changing sunsets. Amenities include a private 2 car garage, beachside pool and fire pit, and an original 1930’s beach bungalow, which will be lovingly restored as a private clubhouse. Owners will be able to gather for a drink, play a game of chess, or work out in a private fitness room. An onsite attendant to care for the property will allow owners to come and go as they please, and enjoy a carefree environment. The sale on this unit came out to $1,053.98 a square foot. Courtesy of Sarasota Real Estate Company. LOWEST PRICED CONDO: 5641 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #907, SOLD FOR: $250,000 This is a TURNKEY condo across the street from famous Siesta Key, the number 1 beach in America. This one bedroom, one bath condo easily accommodates a family of four with its lovely kitchen, dining, living room and screened in lanai for a fun vacation of sand, turquoise water, and amazing sunsets! White Sands Village is a pet-friendly beautiful complex with a large heated community pool, a renovated clubhouse, all in a resort-like setting. The on-site rental office organizes twoweek rentals and takes care of your renters for your peace of mind. Condo fees are low and include building insurance, pest control, water, landscaping and pool. There are also 11 boat docks that can accommodate 22 ft. long boats, on a first come first serve basis for small annual fee. Smack in the middle of Siesta Key, walking to the Village or to the beach is easy. Have your coffee in the morning, walk to the pool, decide to cross to the beach, dip your feet in the sand or the water. Life is Good! The sale came out to $313.68 a square foot. Courtesy of Premiere Sothebys.

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Paradise Awaits... 322 Island Circle

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

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.

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).

156 Givens Street Sarasota, FL Welcome to Casa Azul. Spectacular sunsets meet designer decadence in this show shopping 4 BR/5.5 BA modern-luxe masterpiece. 5,040 sq. ft. beauty boasts expansive terraces and floor-to-ceilign walls of glass indulging in the best views. This stunning home is just a short stroll from the famous white sparkling sands of America’s number one beach. You don’t want to let this one get away!

6,300,000

859,000

429,900

LE NG A S DI N PE

! LD

797 Beach Road, #305

Siesta Key, FL

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

499,900

5157 Sandy Shore Ave., Sarasota Florida

Spacious Siesta Key home on excellent boating water. Located on quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” Street. Split plan 4 BR, 3 BA, 2,493 sq. ft. home with recent updates. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders, hurricane garage door for extra security.Short walk to famous Siesta Key Village with world class bistros and nightlife.

999,900

214 Island Circle, Sarasota Florida

1001 Beach Rd Unit#A-602 Sarasota, FL

Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm This 6th floor recently updated condo is located right across the street from world famous Siesta Key Beach. Enjoy views of the beautiful Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on 2nd level makes nice office space. Screened pool area. Short walk to Gulf of Mexico and Siesta Key canals from your two large terraces as well as the downtown Sarasota lights. The floorpan has generous World Famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life of Siesta Village. square footage for a beach condo and both bedrooms are of generous size. This unit is offered turnkey furnished & tastefully renovated. $ Our House at the Beach offers amenities such as tennis courts, a community heated pool, and an onsite rental office. This allows for the best of both worlds- Weekly Rental policy for Awesome potential investment income and a vacation home with a Fantastic view of Siesta Beach.

1,070,000

665,00

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

ddm1@comcast.net

Service. Integrity. Results.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

Call it a stalemate

941.349.0194 Continued from page 2

In that exchange — which County Commission Chair Charles Hines forwarded to Sheriff Tom Knight on March 23 — the condo association representative who had contacted the Sheriff’s Office in January reported that the ropes were replaced three times after the January incident; yet, following each repair, they were cut again. “No word from anyone about the reported vandalism,” the person wrote in a March 16 email. (That person asked not to be identified in this article.) One part of that email exchange involved Cernansky, who explained, “We can only issue a citation after the fact if we personally witness a violation.”

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When SNL asked county staff this week for the update on the right of way situation regarding the posts, Media Relations Specialist Grant responded on Aug. 14. It took a while, she said in a telephone interview, to sort out which county department has authority over the situation. Finally, she continued, she learned that the Land Development Division was the appropriate one. County staff members, she said, are looking into how best to eliminate the posts from the right of way. She was unable to provide any timeline for when a decision might be reached, emphasizing the ongoing research. Grant added that the most suitable characterization she could provide for the situation, based on interaction county staff had had with the affected property owners, was “a stalemate.”

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Snapshots of Island Visitors Photos by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography

Melonie & Erica from NYC

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Lido Beach renourishment

Island Visitor Publishing, LLC

By Rachel Brown Hackney

SarasotaNewsLeader.com

Contractor cannot use county’s Ted Sperling Park on South Lido as staging area for city renourishment project In late April, Assistant Sarasota County Administrator Brad Johnson informed Deputy Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown that the county’s Ted Sperling Park on South Lido Key Beach could not be used as a staging area for the long-term renourishment initiative on that shoreline. Although Brown tried as late as early June to persuade county leaders to change their minds, a public records request found no evidence of follow-up communication from the county. Subsequently, independent sources confirmed that the county has remained steadfast in its position. In his letter dated April 24, Johnson wrote that he was responding to city letter regarding the use of the park “for access and staging for the Lido Beach Hurricane Storm Damage Reduction Project,” which is the official title the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has given to the proposal to place about 950,000 cubic yards of sand on South Lido Beach. Johnson noted that the city communication indicated that “sand placement is estimated to start between September 1 and October 1, 2019. It is our understanding the project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2020.” Johnson also referenced an exhibit City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw had sent the county — a map depicting “a 0.6-acre staging area and a construction access path leading to the beach.” Then Johnson wrote, “Our evaluation of the City’s request has produced several concerns including how the construction timeline conflicts with periods of high park utilization, restrictions to primary beach access points, and negative impacts to the park’s infrastructure and natural resources.” He added, “In consideration of these potential issues, Sarasota County respectfully declines this request for use of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach.” DavisShaw had referred to the fact that the Sarasota Coastal Rowing Association plans to host the Sarasota International Coastal Race from Nov. 20-24, which will involve Sperling Park.

The first plea In a March 26 letter to Shawn Yeager, manager of the county’s Beaches and Water Access Division, DavisShaw wrote that the USACE was “working on completing the design and specifications” for the long-range project to stabilize about 1.6 miles of South Lido Beach. The city was co-applicant with the USACE for the necessary Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit for the initiative, which proposes to use up to 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from Big Sarasota Pass. DavisShaw added that the USACE “would like to be able to reflect Ted Sperling park site as a location for staging and access as noted on the attached Exhibit 1, in the project specifications.” Part of Sperling Park is referenced as South Lido Nature Park on the county’s website. Located at 190 Taft Drive,

March 26, 2019 Exhibit regarding DavisShaw’s request for Lido Beach Renourishment staging at Ted Sperling Park

its amenities, its webpage says, include birding, a canoe/ kayak launch, fishing, picnicking, a shelter/pavilion and wildlife viewing. It also has a restroom. The other portion of the county property is referenced as Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach, with the address of 2201 Benjamin Franklin Drive. Its webpage notes that among its amenities are the beach access, a playground, an unpaved trail and wildlife viewing. It also has a restroom. TripAdvisor says Sperling Park provides “unique opportunities for visitors to enjoy natural Florida beaches,” adding that the property has access to four bodies of water: the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay and Brushy Bayou. DavisShaw continued in her March 26 letter, “While we don’t know the specifics on the construction activities, as the means and methods will be up to the selected contractor, we would like to be able to provide a possible location for staging and access for the USACE’s consideration. The Corps is estimating the sand placement will take place between October 1, 2019 and December 30, 2019 and beach access and some material staging will be needed during this time period and possibly for the groin construction to be done between December 20, 2019 and March 19, 2020.” (On Aug. 9, the USACE cancelled its solicitation for bids for the Lido project, citing two offers that had come in “unreasonably high.” A spokesman for the USACE told SNL the federal agency was looking at other options. The USACE also won FDEP approval to build two groins on South Lido to try to hold sand in place between

subsequent renourishments over the 15-year timeframe allowed in the state permit. The original USACE project manager estimated more sand would be needed on the Lido Beach every five years. DavisShaw added that she would like for Yeager to accept her March 26 letter as a formal request. “If the County would allow use for a shorter time period,” she pointed out, “please let me know and the Corps could modify the specifications to require the groin work take place via barge.”

Further pleas On April 11, DavisShaw sent another letter to Yeager, noting that USACE project team members had refined their plans. They were going to propose that the contractor start the groin construction concurrent with work on the sand placement on the northern part of the project area, she wrote. “This may reduce the overall time period of the project,” DavisShaw pointed out. “They also have reduced the overall area they would like to use for staging at the south staging location,” she continued. The USACE, she wrote, had said that having two locations for staging, “one at the Lido Pool area and the one attached here in another exhibit, will be very helpful in reducing the construction activity along the beach and the impact on visitors.” Then on June 11, Deputy City Manager Brown sent the third city letter to the county. It went to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis. The county did not send a letter to Brown in response to the proposed modifications, the News Leader learned.

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Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce events Business Card Exchange at Village Cafe The Chamber and its members enjoyed July’s Business Card Exchange at Village Cafe. This local hot spot serves breakfast and lunch every day and offers a variety of catering options. Thank you, Tom and Kay Kouvatsos, for hosting our event and serving delicious food like quesadillas, meatballs, and that amazing tiramisu cheesecake. Also, thank you to the following businesses for donating door prizes: GEM Travel Consultants, OneGroup Wealth Investment Services, Siesta Key Sports and Physical Therapy, Ringling Beach House, Beneva Flowers and Plantscapes, Must Do Visitor Guides, and Village Cafe.

August Luncheon at Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill The Chamber’s August luncheon was at Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill. Members took in the view as they enjoyed amazing dishes such as fish and chips, veggie sliders, and Cajun chicken pasta. Thank you, Siobhan and staff, for hosting our event! And thank you to the following businesses that donated

door prizes: Concept Digital Media, Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, OneGroup Wealth Investment Services, Siesta Key Jet Ski, Beneva Flowers and Plantscapes, Ringling Beach House, and Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill.

Tiki Trivia Trolley Tour Our Tiki Trivia Trolley Tour with Discover Sarasota Tours was a blast! We enjoyed learning about Siesta Key and Sarasota history while getting quizzed on tropical knowledge! Prizes were plenty and our tour guide Steve kept us entertained with frequent jam sessions. Once we arrived at Siesta Key Rum guests enjoyed free samples of rum. All in all a great experience! Shout out to trolley driver Siggi for his expert trolley driving skills! Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5114 Ocean Blvd Siesta Key, 941-349-3800

Blooming This Month: JATROPHIA TREE Jatropha is an evergreen shrub or small tree with stunning scarlet or coral flowers that will attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your gardens. There are two species of Jatropha that grow quite well in South and Central Florida, Jatropa Intergerrima and Jatropha multifidi. They are very easy to grow, drought resistant, can take full or dappled sunlight. Blooms all year, what a bonus. Can be grown as a single trunk tree or pruned into a small multi trunked bush. Glossy pointed green leaves about 5” long and the flowers bloom in clusters at the branch tips. If you have room for a specimen tree that can get about 15’-20’ tall and about 15’ wide, this can be a statement tree or can be pruned into a smaller tree. Currently, there are several trees in bloom at The Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Blvd of the Arts, along our sidewalk area. Also, as you circle the

driveway, many trees are in bloom there. Save the Dates: 12/6/201919-Holiday High Tea; 2/10/2020-Fashion Show (SHIVOO GARDEN PARTY); 3/14/2020-Gardens in Paradise Tour and Plant Sale. Submitted by Kay Weber, Botanical Gardens Chair. www.sarasotagardenclub.org

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Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS

HOUSE WATCH

CLEANING SERVICES

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MEDICAL

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Capt. Jack Wallace 941.320.8700 www.sarasotachartervessel.com Pleasure Cruises only Sunsets/Weddings/Special Occasions Hourly, Daily, Weekly

CONTRACTORS

• Hawk’s Nest Construction Inc. is a certified Class A general contractor licensed in all phases of construction. Owner, Mark Hawkins Sr. personally oversees every aspect of your project from start to finish, using only the best and most reliable licensed artisan and craftsmen. His passion is delighting his clients by turning their home-improvement dreams into a beautiful reality. Call 941-650• CB’s Saltwater Outfitters – CB’s Saltwater Outfitters is an 9499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com ORVIS Endorsed Outfitter Fishing Charter Service serving Siesta • Nutter Construction is your local Siesta Key builder. We have a Key as well as Longboat Key, Lido Key, Sarasota, and Venice. strong team with over 30 years of combined high end residential Our veteran guides offer exciting Fishing Adventures for construction experience in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. We anglers of all ages from novice to the expert. See our website: offer custom construction, remodeling services, management www.CBsOutfitters.com or stop in their store for additional info. and consulting, concierge service, and we are committed to 1240 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key. (941)349-4400. protecting our resources by using construction techniques that are environmentally friendly. Call us at 941-924-1868, visit our Mention This Ad And Receive 10% OFF Your Next Charter showroom at 3534 South Osprey Avenue, or check us out online 941-400-4193 at www.nutterconstruction.com. LEED AP | FL Licensed Building Contractor CBC060004 | FL Licensed Real Estate Sales Associate BK322256 | Certified Home Inspector HI4630

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

J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

941.926.7546

www.dermatologyexperts.com

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Captain Matt Sightseeing Charters Boating Instruction paradisekeycharters.com

Sarasota Area 941-400-4193

MOVING & STORAGE

Having Fun Fishing in The Sun

941-400-2452

Tony Fudoli Sr. CAPTAIN tntfreedomfishing@yahoo.com

Veteran Owned Business

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

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

Dolphin Watch • SunSetS • half Day aDventure SailS

DRY CLEANERS

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

www.aaamovingsarasota.com REAL ESTATE AGENTS

HELENE M. HYLAND REALTOR®

Sailing From Marina Jack, Sarasota

Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran 941-896-6400

Environmentally Conscious Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service

Free Pick Up & Delivery Service

www.KathleenD.net

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

CHURCH SERVICES • WEDNESDAY CHURCH - Traditional worship every Wednesday at 6 PM. Committed to reaching 55+ Widows, Widowers, Veterans, Singles, and Adults. 7811 Kennedy Ln., Sarasota, FL 34240. Pastor Trebor Britt, 941320-4309. SJG5232@verizon.net

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194

(941) 685-2274 Cell (941) 349-4411 Office (800) 237-9403 Toll Free (941) 349-8090 Fax HeleneHyland@comcast.net

Call

5145 Ocean Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34242

from your home or business

941-275-4647

ExEcutivE Shirt SErvicE • houSEhold itEmS • SamE day SErvicE availablE

HOUSE WATCH

Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

www.SheSellsSiestaKeySarasota.com

House Watch Sarasota

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

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

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

housewatchsrq.com

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

Siesta Sand

SEPTEMBER 2019

941.349.0194

www.siestasand.net

REAL ESTATE AGENTS CONTINUED

TRANSPORTATION

HOMES FOR SALE 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

Sarasota’s Premier “Chauffeur”

• GULF AND BAY VIEWS HOME: $6,300,000 156 Givens Street, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4438489 Spectacular sunsets meet designer decadence in this show stopping 4BR/ 5.5 BA modern-luxe masterpiece designed by world acclaimed architect, Guy Peterson. Each room possesses unparalleled panoramic views of the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico by day and breathtaking sunsets and twinkling lights of Lido Key skyline by night. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

Airport Rides Starting At Only

30 941.735.4732

RESTAURANTS

All Ports In Florida

Stress Free • Smooth and Easy Ask for Eddie

• 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 • Jonny’s Original Free Ride – The Original Ride the Key Free car garage with attic storage. Gated community on a deepservice on Siesta to anywhere, everyday from 10 AM – 2 AM. water marina. Pool, hot tub, tennis/pickleball, clubhouse. Driver tips only. Call 941-928-9200. MLS# A4433033, $539,000. Key Solutions Real Estate • Dollar Limo – holds up to 10 people and is cheaper than a D.U.I Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941or taxi. Call 941-735-4732 400-4186.

941-928-9200

RIDE THE KEY FREE

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY

15-20 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME (Based upon traffic)

SERVICING

Walk-Ins Welcome

Siesta Key Beach Siesta Village Turtle Beach

Specializing in Pink & White

DRIVER TIPS ONLY

Restaurants and Accommodations Operating 10AM to 2AM Daily

www.JonnysOriginalFreeRide.com

(941) 706-0860

4850 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 (The Landings Shopping Center)

Mon.- Sat. 9 AM-7 PM Sun. 11 AM-5 PM

Olde Fashion Barber Shop

Tapers • Flattops • Fades • Styling • Razor Cuts • Shaves

ther”

“Hot La

941-312-6001

Transportation for everyone on the Sun Coast Friendliest Ride In Town

We’ll take you to Doctor Visits, Pharmacies, Shopping, Airports and Cruise Lines (on the East and West coasts) and Much More!

Southgate Barber Shop

(Across from the Westfield Siesta Key Mall)

2081 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239

Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday through Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-2

www.OldStyleBarberShop.com

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

Sarasota to Tampa Airport $ 89 each way

Airport Shuttle Limo/Taxi

HOMES FOR SALE

• Siesta Sports Rentals – Located on Siesta Key, bike, kayak, • CO-OP OPPORTUNITY NEAR SIESTA KEY: kayak tours, scooter, children strollers and car seats. Delivery and $104,900. Mobile Estates is a resident owned 55 plus pickup available, 6551 Midnight Pass Rd, 941-346-1797 community located in a prime location one mile from Siesta

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

Key in Sarasota. This home has been meticulously restored. A beautiful single wide mobile home with one large bedroom and one bath with a large attached lanai and shed. Maintenance fee $160 month. Website: 2042champion.site for more info. Call Scott 215-266-0402.

• THE POINTE - Largest floor plan at 1380 square feet in a 2/2 with spacious lanai overlooking the ICW and Bay to the east and the Gulf and Siesta sunsets to the west. Amazing views from every room. Gated with every amenity. MLS# A4438186, $529,000. Key Solutions Real Estate Group, Sheri & Bob Ruiz Bob: 941-544-3299 or Sheri: 941-400-4186. • TRULY FABULOUS 2/2 WITH PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS. Completely renovated TOP FLOOR END UNIT with exquisite finishes and furnishings the unit is being sold, turnkey. The open floor plan with SOARING CEILINGS features a huge living room with views of the ICW and Bay. This is truly a must-see. 6285 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #307, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS#A4410196, $662,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941- 894-1255. • ENJOY STUNNING SUNRISES AND SUNSETS from this lovely two bedroom, two bath PENTHOUSE condo at the southernmost end of Siesta Key. If you seek incomparable views look no further - wake to awe-inspiring sunrises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. 9393 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #P2, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4406101, $499,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255. • NEWLY CONSTRUCTED Coastal Contemporary on the Grand Canal. Centrally located to Siesta Village and beaches. Natural light abounds this 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms open floor plan with direct walkout access to the open designed saltwater pool and deck. Enjoy sunsets from your pool deck and balconies. This home is minutes by boat, paddle board or kayak to the Intercoastal Waterway. 4866 COMMONWEALTH DR, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4437382, $1,849,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941894-1255. • YEAR ROUND SUNSETS! This 10th-floor unit is perfectly positioned to enjoy gorgeous beachfront views! A very spacious, light, bright, clean and cared-for condo with a split floor plan and walk-in closets. The hurricane impact sliding doors (replaced 2018) lead from the living room and bedrooms to the huge screened lanai. Furniture is negotiable. 6300 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #1009, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4425862, $949,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255

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

• PALM ISLAND HOME ON THE GRAND CANAL: $859,000 322 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4199085 TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-349-0194 Recently renovated with new kitchen, new master BR and master BA. This house boasts a new boat lift on the Grand Answers to the WORD SEARCH from page 27 Canal. Privacy abounds with a lovely tropical view across www.TheMariner.com the canal. Huge bonus area on lower level. Dan Miller, Re/ Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

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from

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• CANAL FRONT HOME: $999,000 5157 Sandy Shore Ave, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4427877 Canal front home on a quiet low traffic dead end “Sandy” street. Split plan 4 bedroom & 3 bath 2,493 square foot home with recently updated kitchen & bath. PGT Wind Guard Hurricane Impact windows and sliders for added storm security. You will love lounging around the large pool on this oversized lot (14,352 SF) and dock with lift on the wide canal with easy access to world class boating & fishing. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442 • GRAND CANAL HOME: $1,070,000 214 Island Circle, Siesta Key, FL. MLS# A4435268 Wonderful Siesta Key Grand Canal home located on desirable Palm Island. 2,600+ sq. ft., 4 BR, 2.5 BA waterfront oasis. Loft area on 2nd level makes nice office space. Screened pool area. Short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach, close to world class dining and night life of Siesta Village. Dan Miller, Re/Max Tropical Sands. 941-376-7442

IMPORTANT NUMBERS Emergency (General)...................................................911 Emergency Animal Clinic..........................941-929-1818 Fishing & Hunting Licenses......................941-362-9888 FPL – Florida Power & Light.....................941-917-0708 FPL – Outage Report...............................1-800-468-8243 Marriage License Bureau...........................941-362-4066 Poison Info Center...................................1-800-282-3171 Sarasota / Bradenton Intl. Airport...........941-359-2770 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT).....941-316-1234 Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce...........941-349-3800 Sheriff / non-emergency...........................941- 861-1601 Waste Management....................................941-924-1254

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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SEPTEMBER 2019

Island Girl

941.349.0194

Monyka

This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island Girl is Monyka who grew up in Michigan, but now lives in Florida. She started playing indoor volleyball as a teenager and now plays beach volleyball exclusively. Monyka played collegiate volleyball at Western Michigan University and graduated with a teaching degree. Her absolute favorite volleyball venue is the soft powdery sand of Siesta Beach along the shoreline of the spectacular Gulf of Mexico. 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)