Siesta Key Alliance earns congressional support in beautification campaign
Following commendation from Congressman Steube, the group seeks public input and county resources to enhance the island’s character.
By ChrisAnn Allen
It’s no question that the 2024 hurricanes wreaked havoc on Siesta Key.
But it appears an initiative created prior to the storms could bring a fresh look to an area deemed “Best of the Best Beaches” this year by Tripadvisor.com.
In a March 31 letter to the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), whose district includes Siesta Key, wrote, “I am pleased to write in support of the funding request made by the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance and the Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corporation (SKVMC) from previous and prospective resiliency
funds. This request for $30 million would support capital improvements allowing Siesta Key to meet growing aesthetic and safety expectations for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.”
The alliance referenced in Steube’s letter is a group of residents, business owners, landowners, and members of other Siesta Key organizations, including the Siesta Key Association (SKA) and the chamber of commerce. The SKVMC is a special taxing district funded by fees charged to Siesta Key Village business owners and is used for landscaping, trash and recycling pickup in the village, as well as other
Continued on page 33
SSanderling Looks Ahead
anderling Club, the gated beachfront community whose landmark cabanas were wiped away by Hurricane Helene with its adjoining clubhouse heavily damaged, is starting to see brighter days ahead.
While individual homeowners proceed with their own rebuilds and repairs, the community is preparing to move forward on a restoration of the two-story clubhouse, which was completely flooded.
By Ned Steele
“It will soon be the focus of our community again,” said local architect Max Strang, who is working on the project.
Concept drawings provided to Siesta Sand show what the restored clubhouse, designed to complement the now-vanished cabanas, might look like.
Decisions about whether – or how – to replace the historic cabanas, designed by famed Sarasota School of Architecture figure Paul Rudolph in 1952, are still off in
the future, with discussions in preliminary stages.
But the clubhouse, with its meeting and event space, kitchen and bathrooms, remains structurally sound, and will be rebuilt in some fashion, according to Strang and Sanderling Club’s president. Unlike the cabanas, it was not designed by Rudolph and is not on the registry of historic buildings.
“We are in the process of restoring it back to a usable manner,” Strang, a resident and
(Photo submitted by Max Strang, Architect)
Siesta Key is among the stars of a new tourism marketing campaign by the county’s tourism arm that aims to give local resort communities a post-2024 hurricane boost.
“The Sarasota Keys Are Calling” campaign, which features social media storytelling and digital ads, also spotlights Longboat, Lido, Casey and the county’s other keys. Running into early summer, it will promote several dozen “hidden gems and longtime favorites,” said the Visit Sarasota County tourism agency. Siesta Key eateries and drinkeries, and local accommodations, are prominent.
“After months of resilience and rallying, Sarasota County’s barrier islands are in a strong place and ready to welcome visitors,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.
Facebook and Instagram content will highlight Siesta Key tourism businesses that partner with Visit Sarasota and connect them online to potential visitors. There will also be online display and video ads, and a presence in traditional media, “with content attention naturally focusing on our community’s strongest assets: its beaches and the shops, restaurants, and experiences that surround them,” Visit Sarasota said.
About 15 establishments on the island will be showcased, including SKOB, Spearfish, Blasé
Tourism campaign highlights Siesta Key
By Ned Steele
Café, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters and Captain Curt’s. The campaign will connect tourists with these key destinations and others via a web page, https://www.visitsarasota. com/siesta-key.
Tourists flying down from up north and driving from around Florida are being targeted by the drive. Northern cities that will see the digital ads and campaign include Boston, New York, Chicago, Baltimore and Detroit, among others. More local markets within driving range, from as close as Fort Myers and as distant as Atlanta will be encouraged to grab their car keys and zip on over to the keys.
“We want our local businesses – especially those on the keys and barriers islands – to know that Visit Sarasota County is actively promoting them, even as some may still be recovering or are surrounded by businesses in recovery,” said Hunter Carpenter, director of community relations and partnership for Visit Sarasota County.
Noting that “perception issues about storm damage persist at a national level,” Carpenter added: “Instead of focusing on the storms, we’re reminding travelers why they fell in love with Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and beyond in the first place, with upbeat, visually
engaging content that highlights the fun, beauty, and experiences of Sarasota’s islands.”
That approach, and the opportunity to be featured in the campaign, was welcome news to Watershed Hospitality Concepts, parent company of Blasé Martini Bar on Siesta Key and three other establishments elsewhere in Sarasota.
Watershed and Blasé are one of the businesses have been partnering with Visit Sarasota County, and they’ve done it for more than a decade on various promotions and campaigns.
“Through the sunny days and the stormy skies, our partners
have been right there with us,” said Anne K. Rollings, Watershed’s executive director of communications and business development.
“Without partnerships like ours, a small independent family of restaurants could not enjoy the collaborative reach that the Visit Sarasota County partnership makes possible.”
Moreover, she noted, “As deeply local residents and neighbors, we are so proud of the beauty of our Keys.”
The campaign can be seen on Visit Sarasota County’s Facebook and Instagram pages, with more of it showing on funinthe941. com.
Beach attendance at Siesta Beach, as reported by Sarasota County. Peak season March was stronger than February and somewhat behind a year ago. Aided by good weather, post-hurricane Siesta Beach came back strong over the prior year. Impact of the reduction of available housing continues to impact overall numbers. Numbers are estimates.
Photo submitted by Visit Sarasota County illustrate the marketing campaign’s shoutout to Siesta Key as part of a wider drive to promote the county’s keys.
Make-a-Wish teen enjoys nature-filled vacation in Sarasota
By Hannah Wallace
For Megan Rosario and her family, 2024 was a rough year. Fortunately, 2025 is going much better.
In January of last year, Megan, then 14 and living with her family outside Houston, was diagnosed with a brain tumor that would require surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While she underwent that months-long process, her doctors connected her with the Makea-Wish Foundation, a national organization that grants wishes to critically ill children.
“We ask them to think big,” said Richard Kelly of Makea-Wish of Southern Florida. Megan’s big wish? To embark on a series of nature-filled activities in Sarasota. Once it was decided, her excitement helped keep her positive during her treatments.
“She started planning for this trip back in April 2024. Makea-Wish encourages that,” said Lori Rosario, Megan’s mother. “The doctors were giving all kinds of ideas where to go. My mom and my aunt both live in Sarasota, but Megan hadn’t been there since she was a baby. But she loves wildlife a lot, and [Sarasota] is a fantastic place to see stuff. It was something fun we could look forward to.”
Megan finished her radiation treatments in November. On March 26, she and her family, including her two younger sisters, were aboard a plane headed to southwest Florida.
“From the second they leave their house to the second they get home, we cover every expense,” said Make-a-Wish’s Kelly.
The first full day of vacation centered on a wildlife cruise with Siesta’s Fun Boat Tours, which included sightings of dolphins and manatees, and a special stop by one of the area’s local rookeries. Megan, an avid birdwatcher and aspiring ornithologist, loves to take pictures. As part of the experience, the tour company gifted her a refurbished camera to capture her memories. (The company also had presents for Megan’s sisters.)
“We have companies we partner with all over our territory,” said Kelly, who has worked with Fun Boat Tours on previous wishes. “We have to know that this is going to be a first-class experience.”
But not every wish has been wished before. After a day spent birdwatching at the Celery Fields (including a sighting of a painted bunting, Megan’s favorite species), day
3 involved a trip to Big Cat Habitat to take a special yoga class with the conservation center’s resident lemurs.
“We’ve granted 15,000 wishes, we’ve never had a wish that involved lemur yoga,” laughed Kelly, who was on hand for the experience. “I’ll never forget the look on her face, the laughter. You can go your whole life and never see that.”
Megan’s wish also included a trip to Treeumph Adventure
Course, with an exhilarating trip down a zipline, as well as the requisite Florida alligator sighting.
Overall, the five-day trip proved a much-needed week of joy for Megan, as well as her family, from the animal adventures to the simple pleasures of eating meals together around the table at their rental house.
“This was a great reward for everyone,” said Megan’s mother. “It was a very special
time to do special things, relax, and have fun as a family.”
“There are people that believe that what we do is nice, that it’s a nice thing and then we leave and [the families] go back to their lives,” said Kelly. “We believe the wish is necessary for the emotional and spiritual and physical healing for wish children, and that extends to their families as well.”
Megan remains cancer-free.
The Rosario family, husband (Peter Lynch) and daughters [left to right] Tanya, Mila, and Megan enjoy the day on the water courtesy of Fun Boat Tours. (Photos by Lori Rosario).
MAY 3RD
KENTUCKY
$4 (Mint Julips, Oaks Lily and Kentucky Mules) all day up till 7 p.m. The race is at 6:45 and Hat Contest will be at 6 p.m.
MAY 4TH
CELEBRATE
Boating safety starts with a life jacket
May is a great month for boating. The merry month of May also marks the launch of the National Safe Boating Council’s 2025 Safe Boating Campaign.
The goal of the nationwide effort is to encourage all recreational boaters, paddleboarders, kayakers, canoeists, paddlers and others to don a life jacket whenever they are out on the water.
This year’s National Safe Boating Week runs from Saturday, May 17 through Friday, May 23. To kick off the week, the Council has declared Friday, May 16, as “Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day”. On that day, boating professionals, outdoor water enthusiasts and anyone whose job entails waterrelated activities is encouraged wear a life jacket to work.
According to the Council, life jackets have undergone a major fashion makeover in recent years. Today’s new styles are lightweight, comfortable and much more versatile and colorful than their bulky bright orange predecessors. Some are even inflatable, allowing for greater mobility and flexibility. Designed to be worn while fishing, paddling or hunting, the new life jackets are also cooler, making them more appealing to wear in warm weather locations such as Siesta Key.
Wearing a life jacket when out on the water, the Council advises, can mean the difference between life and death.
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that three out of four recreational boating fatalities reported during
2023 were caused by drowning. Of those drowning cases, 87 percent of those individuals were not wearing a life jacket. An alarming 75% of boating deaths are attributable to drowning and 66.7% of drowning victims were known to be good swimmers.
Boaters, the Council states, are urged to “always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket appropriate to your water activity.”
By Jane Bartnett
Anyone who has an interest in being out on the water is invited to join the Council’s social media online challenge and take a chance on winning boating
Safe Boating Council swag that includes dry bags, stickers and other items. Everyone is also encouraged to share a picture of yourself on social media wearing a life jacket at work or at home along with the hashtag
#wearyourlifejacketatworkday and tag @boatingcampaign on Facebook, X or Instagram. Photos can also be emailed to outreach@ safeboatingcouncil.org. Winners will be chosen and notified randomly through the day on “Wear Your Lifejacket at Work Day”, May 16. More boating information is available at SafeBoatingCampaign. com.
Here are 10 boating safety tips that every boater should be aware of for their own safety and the safety of their passengers:
BOATING SAFETY TIPS THAT CAN SAVE A LIFE
1. Always wear a life jacket. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to put on a stowed life jacket.
2. Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket that is appropriate for your water activity and fits properly. A too large or too small life jacket can cause different situational problems.
3. Know state boating laws. Rules and laws differ from state to state. Violations can result in ticketing, fines or jail time.
4. Take a boating safety course. Learn valuable tips that can help save your life in unexpected situations.
5. Make sure your boat is prepared. Many items need to be checked and rechecked on every boat. Schedule a Vessel Safety Check with your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons before you hit the water. Every Vessel Safety Check is 100% free of charge.
6. Always file a float plan before you leave shore with someone you trust that includes details about the trip, boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle, communication equipment, and emergency contacts.
7. Check the weather, including the water temperature. Know the latest marine weather forecast before heading out. Keep a regular check for changing conditions.
8. Don’t drink while you boat. Alcohol is a leading factor in boating-related deaths.
9. Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasolinepowered engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can poison or kill someone who breathes too much of it. Install and maintain a working CO detector. Never block exhaust outlets. Always dock, beach or anchor at least 20 feet away from the nearest boat that is running a generator or engine.
10. Keep in touch. Communication devices can be the most important piece of emergency equipment on board a vessel, especially in an emergency. Be sure to have and know how to use at least two communication devices that work when wet - including satellite phones, emergency position indicating radio beacons, commonly known as EPIRBs, VHF radios, and personal locator beacons.
CB staffers held a dress rehearsal to gear up for May 16, Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day! Left to Right - Victoria Bernardi, Omar Alvarez, Mike Beckwith, Karen Berger, Aidan Coleman and Mason Tush. (Photo by Jane Bartnett)
Hurricane relief still available
Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters who sustained economic losses from Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricanes Helene and Milton can find support and help completing disaster loan applications and learn more about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s loan programs at the SBA Business Recovery Center at 111 South Orange Avenue, in downtown Sarasota.
The Sarasota SBA office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In person appointments are available in advance by logging into appointment.sba.gov. Walk-ins are also accepted. The entrance is on Ringling Boulevard.
Business owners can also find resource partners for specialized business counseling.
The SBA physical damage loan deadline for disaster declarations affected by the 2024 federal funding lapse has been extended to April 27. Although the deadline to apply for physical damage disaster relief for Hurricane Milton was April 27, the SBA stated that “applicants have 60 days after the deadline to continue applying without needing to provide justification for missing the original deadline.” Learn more at sba.gov.
Business Owners/Private Non-Profits
Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience said, “Business owners can meet face-to-face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or private nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills
By Jane Bartnett
not paid due to the disaster.
Loan amounts, the SBA reports, can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to: disastercustomerservice@sba. gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Home and Personal Property Loans
Physical disaster assistance is available from the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to the SBA website, “if you live in a declared disaster area and have experienced damage to your home or personal property, you may be eligible for financial assistance from SBA — even if you do not own a business. As a homeowner, renter, or personal property owner, you
may apply to SBA for a loan to help you recover from a disaster.” Learn more about eligibility, how proceeds can be used, terms, collateral requirements and more at lending.sba.gov/search-disaster. Deadlines to return economic injury applications for Tropical Storm Debby are June 24, 2025, and June 30, 2025, for Hurricane Helene. The deadline for economic injury applications for Hurricane Milton is July 11, 2025.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
To apply online for a disaster loan, visit https://lending.sba.gov/ search-disaster
To schedule an appointment at the Sarasota SBA recovery center in downtown Sarasota, call 800-659-2955.
“Voted
On Saturday morning, April 5, more than 1,000 runners of all ages filled Siesta Beach and came to the shoreline to take part in Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s 39th Annual Run for the Turtles. Under sunny skies, the first racers, including many young families, lined up to take part in Mote’s 1-mile fun run. They were followed by the 5K group who came to compete in the Manasota Track Club-sanctioned race. The entire morning long event raised funds for Mote’s Sea turtle conservation efforts. Organizers reported that the annual event raised approximately $45,000. Funds will support Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program that monitors 35 miles of nesting beaches daily during the annual sea turtle nesting season. Through tagging and satellite tracking, scientists also study the endangered creatures. “It’s inspiring to see our community show up year after year to
2025 Run for the Turtles
By Jane Bartnett
Biologist
their future,” said Melissa Macksey, Senior
and Conservation
Manager
of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.
In 2024, Mote documented close to 4,400 sea turtle nests
across Siesta Key and the beaches that it monitors. Mote considers this high number of nests to be a promising sign for the threatened species. May 1 is the start of sea turtle nesting season in southwest Florida. It
runs through October 3. To keep nesting turtles safe, Mote urges coastal residents and visitors to keep beaches dark and clear at night. When leaving the beach, fill holes that can trap hatchings or nesting
females on their way to the water, level sand and keep trash and obstacles such as furniture away from turtle nesting areas. To learn more visit mote.org/ research/program/sea-turtleconservation-research.
Alexa Oliveira of Lakewood Ranch and Shelley catch their breath after the run. (Photo by Jane Bartnett)
at the annual Run for the Turtles on Siesta Key Beach. (Photo by Mote)
3-29-2025 Theft
Upon arrival at Beach Access #5, deputy made contact with complainant who indicated that an unknown subject took her lululemon bag that had been set down on an electrical box near the Beach Access sign. Because the complainant’s airpods were in the bag, it could be tracked. The tracking showed it was in a parked car in a lot along Beach Road. A traffic stop of the vehicle was conducted, and, after obtaining the occupants permission, the vehicle was searched. Unfortunately, the bag was not in the vehicle.
3-16-2025 Theft
Complainant approached deputies and informed them that a jet ski had just been stolen. At that time, a vehicle pulling a trailer with a jet ski drove past the deputies.
An investigative stop was conducted. The driver of the vehicle indicated that the jet ski was drifting away from the beach and he decided to pull it ashore. He admitted he did not know who the owners were and, because it was drifting away, did not think he was depriving anyone of their property. Owner of the jet ski indicated that, due to bad weather, he was going to come back for the jet ski. He indicated he saw the suspect, whom he did not know, watching him and saying “free-jet-ski.” Owner indicated he did not give suspect permission to take the jet ski. Suspect was charged with grand theft over $10,000.
3-26-2025 Bicycle Theft
Complainant reported that a bicycle she had rented had been taken from the condo in which she was staying. The
bicycle is a metallic blue Sun Boardwalk beach cruiser. Complainant indicated that the bicycle was locked up behind the condo as she was instructed by the rental office.
3-9-2025
Theft
Sherrif’s Deputy was dispatched to a property that had been condemned due to damage suffered during a hurricane. The property owner was there to retrieve personal items from the property. The property owner witnessed, via security footage, a suspect taking a metal bird statute from the property. The suspect was located and indicated he thought the property was being cleared and that the statute was going to be destroyed and thrown away. He returned the statue, and the complainant waived prosecution.
3-9-2025 Identity Theft/ Fraud
Complainant paid a contractor with a check in the amount of $507. On 3-7-2025 the check cleared her account. However, the check had been changed to reflect a different amount, $5,000, and a different payee. Complainant denied knowing the new payee. On the same day another fabricated check was cashed in the amount of $3,450. Copies of the checks were entered into evidence.
4-3-2025
Theft
Victim reported a theft that occurred on Siesta Key Beach. Victim had a backpack with her wallet, her boyfriend’s wallet, clothing, and towels on the beach. The backpack was left unattended for a short period of time and was
Looking for a good casual fish house in Sarasota, we discovered Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill, tucked away in a strip mall on 41. What a wonderful find. There were four of us for dinner, and we made a reservation-thankfully so, as by 6 PM on a weekday, all the dining tables were full. This place is clearly popular, and for good reason. Here are three highlights:
1. Fresh, Well-Seasoned Fish I ordered the grilled grouper sandwich on a brioche bun, and it was delicious; perfectly cooked, properly seasoned, and a generous portion. For my side, I had coleslaw, which was fresh and light, not overpowered by too much mayonnaise.
2. Relaxed, Comfortable Atmosphere
The restaurant has a casual coastal vibe. It's a neighborhood spot that feels welcoming and unpretentious, perfect for hanging out over a good meal and a cold beer. Wear your shorts and flip-flops if you want. They have outdoor patio seating, too.
3. Attentive, Efficient Service
Our server was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, explaining the menu without being pushy. Everyone in our group got exactly what they wanted, and all the dishes were served just as ordered. In addition to my grouper sandwich, two of us had the red snapper plate, and the other had mahi-mahi plate. Everyone raved about their meals.
If you're looking for fresh fish in a casual setting, give this place a try. You won't be disappointed. Salute!
Community Spotlight
QYou have five very successful, yet distinctly different restaurants flourishing within a short walk from each other in the heart of Siesta Key Village. What is the magic ingredient in your success story?
AEasy, “the staff”, the synergy of the various cultures, and the beliefs surrounding the way we simply treat each other –striving for a level of creative hospitality as I’ve never seen. They are constantly contributing to our guest’s unexpected touches of service. Honestly, I think we have as much fun with it as the guests who experience it.
QIn February, the Siesta Key Summer House Steak and Seafood, your celebrated fine dining restaurant that opened in 2018, began serving Sunday Brunch. What led to your decision to add brunch to your dinner service? Are there any other changes in store for the Summer House?
ATimeless traditions are what drove us to brunch, ever evolving towards greatness, and just another way to mirror our newly world-class recognition of the best beach in the country and fourth in the world. If we may modestly say, “We are trying to make Sarasota/ Siesta Key proud”.
Q
The Beach Club is a legendary Siesta Key Village landmark night spot. It’s had a remarkable recovery after the fall hurricanes.
What kind of menu and style changes did you make? How did the season go and what’s on tap for the spring and summer months?
ASince 1947, The Beach Club has rooted itself throughout the local community. The silver lining of this past hurricane season gave us the stamina to reinvent once again.
The cozy wood look, retail therapy shop, and seafood steamer menu, along with a few land options, are just the beginning. The local community can very well expect to experience more of the following: Unexpected bold flavors, day and nighttime live music, tribute bands and national acts, family-friendly atmosphere during the day while embracing our roots of live music and dancing at night. This will be a place on your checklist not to miss.
Q
Across the street from The Beach Club, the always busy MVP, short for My Village Pub, draws a lunch, dinner and drinks crowd. Since opening in June 2019, you’ve added even more tv’s. Sports fans now have 44 screens for easy viewing. What’s in store for MVP as we look ahead to the 2025/2026 season?
AMVP continues to welcome sports fans from around the world, not to mention celebrities, and various famous athletes as the new norm. Our menu is consistently flavorful to even the most knowledgeable world traveler. We pride ourselves on the coldest beer on the strip and a tropical yet sport-oriented setting. Expect the unexpected.
QWhat is it about the Hub Baja Grill, with its lively mix of southern California and Mexican foods and nightly live music that draws families and people of all ages?
AClose your eyes and think of a tropical vacation – steel drums, the smell of suntan lotion, outdoor seating, umbrellas, margaritas, family and friends all together with perhaps a few traces of sand between your toes. “That’s The Hub Baja Grill”, this is Siesta Key’s beach dining room. There are no curfews and no bedtimes, you are on vacation, and for the locals, “you’re just a bridge away.”
Q Above the Bar Hospitality Group also runs Joe’s in downtown Sarasota and Mad Moe’s in Osprey. Looking ahead, what plans do you have for the company in the future?
AJoe’s downtown has some exciting changes on the horizon, reifying the curiosity of our guests is what we are all about, while keeping old traditions intermingled with our community history. Meanwhile, Mad Moe’s continues to bridge Sarasota and Venice with its exciting new menu and, “Cheerslike atmosphere” and favorite neighborhood rendezvous place.
Q What are your plans for the former Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill?
AThis waterfront restaurant in which we don’t have a name for yet, will be the biggest project we’ve ever done. Expect a full waterfront view from every angle, coastal flavors, new docks, a relaxed atmosphere and vibrant cocktails.
Chris Brown & Mike Granthon
Summer House now offers Sunday Brunch. (Photo by Jane Bartnett)
The Beach Club has recently introduced many new offerings including a retail therapy shop and a seafood steamer menu. (Photo by Jane Bartnett)
FREE HOUSE WINE OR DRAF T BEER WITH A PURCHASE OF A DINNER ENTREE
drinks, grab your beach gear, or stock up on beer, wine, snacks and key lime pie We have a full selection of groceries for a perfect island stay! s a y!
Gulf Gate Library Marks 10 Years of Service to the Community
By Jane Bartnett
The Gulf Gate Library, which serves Gulf Gate, Siesta Key and surrounding communities, celebrated 10 years of service to the Sarasota community on April 3 and 4 with a Hawaiian themed luau party. The celebration began on Friday evening with a presentation by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. Sarasota County District 4 Commission Chair Joe Neunder also spoke to the gathering. On Saturday, patrons visiting the library donned complimentary festive leis. The welcoming reference desk, staffed by knowledgeable librarians, was decorated with tropical paper flowers. A colorful balloon sculpture with the word “aloha” served as a festive and tropical welcome to all.
In a reading room, a mermaid read to a group of children who sat on the floor, enraptured by the tale. They, as well as any visiting adult, also enjoyed refreshing complimentary ice pops from a visiting food truck. Built in 2015, the Gulf Gate Library was recognized by Tech Insider as the “most beautiful library in Florida.”
Last year, the Gulf Gate Library welcomed more than 88,000 visitors and loaned 77,700 materials. Dr. Renée Di Pilato, Director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, called the Gulf Gate Library “more than a place for books. It’s a cornerstone of the community, a space for lifelong learning, meaningful connections and enriching experiences.”
Gulf Gate Librarian Marie O’Toole at the reference desk. The library was decorated in a Hawaiian luau theme. (Photo by Jane Bartnett)
The Gulf Gate Library has been recognized for its architecture as well as for its service to the community. (Photo by Sarasota County)
Salad … $21
With grilled shrimp or chicken With grilled shrimp or chicken
Kale Salad … $22
SANDWICHES
Grouper Sandwich … $22
BLT … $21 Mahi Mahi Sandwich … $21
Sandwich … $15 Cheeseburger … $15
Burger … $13
Shrimp … $24
Pecan Chicken … $17
Filet Mignon … $25
Filet Mignon & Stuffed Shrimp … $36
Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail $50
Stuffed Shrimp & Maine Lobster Tail $42
Twin Maine Lobster Tails … $55
FRIED SEAFOOD PLATTERS Coconut Shrimp … $23 Large Gulf Shrimp … $21 Fish & Chips … $20 Fried Combo … $29
PASTA & BOWLS
Shrimp & Crab Scampi … $25
Salmon Pasta … $23
Chicken & Shrimp Curry … $22
Sweet ‘n Spicy Chicken & Shrimp $22
Jambalaya … $24
Pasta Primavera … $17
DESSERTS
Turtle Pie … $10
Key Lime Pie … $10
Sample Platter … $13
Ice Cream Bar … $7
*Prices subject to change
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11. Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Look no further than the charming Boca Boutique on South Tamiami Trail in the Gulf Gate neighborhood.
If ever there was a store that was designed to be the ultimate gift destination store for women of all ages, this is it. One shopper who came to Sarasota from a small New England coastal town said that when she visits Boca Boutique, it’s like going back to her favorite shop in her hometown. “It’s comforting,” she said. “I know I can always find just the right gift.”
Dixi Robertson, an interior designer who spent her earlier career in finance, is the woman behind the two-year-old shop. She is the boutique’s buyer, designer and director.
At Boca Boutique, we went in search of perfect Mother’s Day gifts. With the help of our guide and advisor, Dixi herself, we offer this guide. Keep in mind that when shopping for that perfect present, you may decide that you too are deserving of a little something. (You have our permission.) And now our shopping guide begins.
Deceptively large and spacious, the store is a treasure trove of delightful items. Home furnishings, gifts and useful objects for entertaining, artwork
Mother’s Day Shopping at Boca Boutique
from local artists, decorative pillows, casual women’s clothing, hats and accessories, as well as a small selection of menswear and gift items for babies are among the many items waiting to be discovered. A special nook for cat and dog lovers is also hard to resist. In large part because the store is named for Robertson’s own pup, fur babies have not been forgotten. And did we mention the jewelry collection?
This Mother’s Day, Elle Magazine reports that jewelry continues to be the timeless gift that so many women treasure for Mother’s Day gifts.
“We have a beautiful selection of 925 silver-plated and goldplated jewelry that is well priced, exquisitely designed and jeweler made. Known as travel jewelry, these are rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that you can wear worry free,” she said. A second case of beautiful well priced designs are crafted by local artists. Some pieces are perfect for black tie and special occasion events while other pieces can be worn every day. Jewelry prices begin at $40 for select earrings.
“Every woman is different,” noted the store owner and designer “For a glamorous woman, you can’t go wrong with a pair of glittering statement earrings. And any woman who loves jewelry will enjoy adding to
By Jane Bartnett
her collection of everyday pieces. (The jewelry of the moment, according to Elle Magazine, is dainty, deliberate and designed to fit into everyday life.)” Robertson adds that “link necklaces and stackable rings, with a touch of bling, bring elegance to a casual outfit.”
If the woman on your Mother’s Day list is a pickleball or tennis player or an avid golfer, there are gifts galore that will delight her and allow her to display her passion in her home and/ or as wearable art. Tasteful and beautifully designed sports specific themed items will make her smile. Oven mitts decorated with pickleball paddles, decorative signs, tennis, pickleball and golf hats are among the many choices. Perhaps a pretty necklace with a charm racquet would delight her. Moms who love to cook and entertain and find the kitchen and dining room their happy places are in luck. Consider a beautiful pitcher decorated with hydrangeas, the flower of the season. “Hydrangeas are having a moment in the decorating world,” said Reynolds. If she enjoys this magnificent flowering plant, you’ll find an assortment of hydrangea kitchen and serving accessories along with complementary cocktail napkins. Hydrangeas can also be found on pillows and other décor.
Bumblebees continue to be popular. A set of four bumblebee coffee mugs makes a thoughtful present. Is she a chocolate lover? Create a gourmet gift by bundling Vosges’ Spanish chocolate bars in Manchego and Cherry, Cheddar and Apple, and Parmesan and Walnut and Fig flavors.
Beautiful pieces of women’s wear ranging from skirts, dresses, tops, bathing suits, hats and bags also make a good choice. For a new mother, visit the baby collection. You’ll be enchanted by the outfits and gifts for little ones. And finally, consider a gift of handcrafted soaps, lavender pillow sprays to help her drift off to sleep, oils and aromatherapy products. Group them in a basket or pretty bag and you have a
thoughtful gift.
If you don’t know where to begin, Boca Boutique’s knowledgeable and friendly expert staff are at the ready. And don’t forget a Mother’s Day card to go along with that gift. A large selection of greeting cards are right near the register.
Visit Boca Boutique at 6969 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, and online at bocaboutique.com. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.4:00 p.m. Call 941-529-1000.
On Thursday, May 8, drop in at Boca Boutique from 2-7 p.m. for a special Mother’s Day celebration. Gifts, refreshments and prizes are waiting!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Left: An elegant pair of travel earrings at Boca Boutique for the glamorous woman. Right: Dixi Robertson, Boca Boutique owner displays a blue hydrangea pillow at the store. (All Photos by Jane Bartnett)
Our ancestors survived harsh conditions: war, famine, disease, and other unpleasantries to continue their blood line. The least we can do is honor them by honoring our body. Our ancestors probably weren’t fat and weak, or we wouldn’t be here. You shouldn’t be fat and weak either.
The BEST ways to stay fit, be resilient and continue your own blood line are to increase your strength, increase your power, decrease your bodyfat and add lean muscle mass.
Strength is exerting force against resistance. Power is using strength in an explosive manner. Think speed. Decreasing bodyfat is largely a function of proper nutrition combined with exercise that will burn fat, not muscle. Lean muscle mass is adding skeletal muscle to your frame by forcing your body to adapt to demands placed upon it.
Increasing strength makes you better at life. It is impossible to be “too strong.” Increasing strength makes your balance better, protects you from injury, staves off the ravages of advancing age, makes all your recreational activities easier, and makes you harder to kill.
Increasing your power (explosiveness) does all the above with the added benefit of having speed in movement. You can’t have quality power without strength.
Get Fit with George Strength and Honor
By George Demetriou
Decreasing bodyfat reduces your risk of the worst health conditions: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, to name a few. It increases the integrity of your joints as well. Adding lean muscle mass protects against disease, makes our bones stronger by protecting against osteoporosis and arthritis, helps our body fight obesity, improves posture, helps fight stress and helps prevent falls. You will feel better and you will look better.
Strength is best developed by lifting heavy weight for low reps and low sets. The 5 sets of 5 reps protocol has withstood the test of time with good results. Another popular plan is the 3-5 protocol introduced by Strong First founder, Pavel Tsatsouline. Do 3-5 sets of 3-5 repetitions of 3-5 heavy weight exercises with 3-5 minutes of rest between sets, 3-5 days a week.
Power can be developed by doing variations of jumping (box jumps, broad jumps, single leg jumping, jumping rope, and jump squats). Additionally, some kettlebell exercises (swings, snatches, and cleans) also help develop power. At an advanced level, you’ll find the barbell lifts from Olympic-style weightlifting (Clean & Jerk, and Snatch). Calisthenics (bodyweight exercises) are also good to have
in your fitness toolbox. They can be used to develop strength and power, as well as endurance and stamina, depending on the exercise selection and how they are programmed. For strength, you have pullups, chin-ups, dips and handstand pushups. For power, you have clapping pushups, squat jumps, broad jumps, single leg jumps, jumping lunges and vertical jumps. At an advanced level you can hold dumbbells or wear a weighted vest and do most of the above exercises. For endurance and stamina, you can add squats and burpees to some of the above exercises and do them for high repetitions in a circuit with little or no rest.
Calisthenics require little to no equipment and very small space. In fact, some trainers were branding calisthenic routines as “prison workouts” since they could be done in a prison cell. One alleged prison workout for power and endurance was the 21-1 Burpee workout. Do 21 burpees, then immediately do 20 burpees, then 19 and so on, down to one burpee. That’s 231 burpees. I don’t recommend it unless you’re a stud or studette already, or you really enjoy burpees, or you’re reading this from a prison cell. I do like a strength endurance circuit! A strength endurance circuit consists of as many rounds
as possible in 20 minutes of 5 pullups, 10 pushups, and 15 squats. This is known as “Cindy” in the CrossFit community. Sprinting, the exercise of running fast for a relatively short distance, is a good power developer and it builds your cardio-respiratory capacity. Sprinting develops lean muscle and reduces bodyfat. The good news for those who don’t like to
run is there’s no need to run far. Find a trainer who can help you with your strength goals and honor your body.
George Demetriou is the Lead Flexologist at StretchLab South Sarasota. He was the owner/coach at a strength & conditioning gym in New York. George is a retired NYPD detective. He is a Brazilian Jiujitsu brown belt.
Fitness Focus
The Importance of Building Muscle When Trying to Lose Weight
When most people set out to lose weight, the primary focus tends to be on reducing calories and increasing cardio. While these strategies can lead to weight loss, they often overlook one of the most powerful tools in transforming the body and improving longterm health: building muscle. Strength training and muscle development are critical components of a successful and sustainable weight loss journey. Muscle not only helps shape and define the body but also boosts metabolism, improves functional fitness, and supports long-term fat loss.
One of the most compelling reasons to build muscle during weight loss is its impact on metabolism. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it burns more calories at rest than fat tissue does. The more muscle mass you have, the higher your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), which is the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic functions like breathing and circulation. Even when you’re not exercising, having more muscle means you’ll burn more calories throughout the day This can create a natural calorie deficit, making weight loss easier and more efficient over time.
In contrast, losing weight through dieting alone often results in the loss of both fat and muscle. This can be
problematic because it lowers your metabolism, making it harder to continue losing weight and easier to regain it. By incorporating strength training and prioritizing muscle preservation and growth, you help your body hold onto—or even build—muscle while shedding fat. This shift in body composition is what leads to a leaner, healthier appearance, rather than simply becoming smaller without definition.
Building muscle also contributes to better overall body composition, which is more important than the number on the scale. Many people become discouraged if their weight plateaus or drops slowly, but it’s important to remember that muscle is denser than fat. As you build muscle and lose fat, your weight might not change drastically, but your clothes will fit better, and you’ll look and feel more toned. The scale doesn’t always reflect true progress, which is why focusing on muscle gain is a smarter, more sustainable approach to weight loss.
Beyond aesthetics and metabolism, muscle supports functional fitness. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, a process known as sarcopenia, which can lead to weakness, poor posture, and a higher risk of injury. Strength training helps prevent this decline, keeping your body strong and capable
of performing daily activities with ease. Whether it’s carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or playing with your kids, having more muscle improves quality of life and reduces the risk of injury.
In addition to the physical benefits, strength training and muscle building have powerful psychological effects. Watching yourself grow stronger over time builds confidence, discipline, and a sense of achievement. It shifts the mindset from simply “losing weight” to becoming stronger and healthier. This positive focus can make the entire journey more enjoyable and motivating, reducing the likelihood of giving up or falling back into unhealthy habits.
Another often-overlooked benefit of muscle-building during weight loss is its role in maintaining the results. Yo-yo dieting is a common problem, where people lose weight only to regain it later. Building muscle and strength helps break this cycle. It encourages long-term lifestyle changes, including better eating habits and regular physical activity, both of which are key to maintaining a healthy weight.
In conclusion, building muscle is not just a helpful addition to a weight loss plan—it’s a crucial component. It boosts metabolism, preserves a healthy body composition, improves
functional fitness, and empowers people both physically and mentally. achieving lasting weight loss and a healthier body, focusing on strength training and muscle development should be a top priority. Weight loss isn’t just about eating less and moving more—it’s about moving smarter
makes building strength fun and efficient. We can’t wait to see you soon.
Janine, Joshua, and Kyle at the KôR.
3
HAPPY
Sun, Surf & Science: Best Camps for Kids
By Jane Bartnett
This summer, children can take part in a variety of camps and activities on Siesta Key and in nearby Palmer Ranch.
Siesta Beach
In June, Sarasota County is offering several camps for kids on Siesta Beach.
Aspiring sand sculptors can participate in a three-day sand sculpting class, held June 16–18 and again June 23–25, from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $140 per child.
The county’s Junior Lifeguard Camp, open to ages 9–17, will be held June 23–27, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $200 per child. Campers will learn lifeguarding fundamentals, water safety, rescue techniques, rescue paddling, CPR, first aid, and how to identify and treat marine life. Instruction is provided by professional lifeguards.
All new Junior Lifeguard Camp participants must attend a mandatory 30-minute tryout at Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldermere St., Sarasota. Tryouts will be held May 17, May 31, and June 7, from 11 a.m. to noon. Students must swim 100 yards freestyle in 2 minutes and 5 seconds or less, tread water for five minutes, and retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool. Swim team experience is preferred. Registration is required. Swimsuits and goggles are mandatory. Returning campers do not need to try out.
Turtle Beach
The Sarasota County Surfit Camp at Turtle Beach is open to children ages 7–14. The camp includes stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, ocean swimming, ocean safety, and an introduction to marine biology. Sessions are led by certified lifeguards. Morning and full-day options are available, weather permitting, with extended care available until 3:30 p.m.
Camp sessions are as follows:
• June 2–6: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ($215); extended day until 3:30 p.m. ($315)
• June 9–13: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ($215); extended day until 3:30 p.m. ($315)
• June 16–20 : 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ($215); extended day until 3:30 p.m. ($315)
Siesta Beach One-Mile Fun Runs
Throughout June and July, children can join the one-mile Siesta Beach Summer Fun Run, held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m. near the playground pavilion. Ribbons are awarded at each race, and all participants receive a free ice pop. Runners who complete four races earn a T-shirt. Note: There will be no race on July 1 due to the Independence Day holiday.
Sarasota County Summer Camp Guide
The full-color Sarasota County Summer Camp Guide 2025, featuring these and other camps countywide, is available at sarasotacountyparks.com/programs-and-events/camps.
To register, apply for financial aid, explore camp jobs, or sponsor a camper, visit the same site. For assistance, call 941-861-PARK (7275) or email parksonline@scgov.net.
The Out-of-Door Academy
The Out-of-Door Academy offers academic, sports, STEM, arts, specialty, and day camps for children ages 5–17. Programs are available at all three ODA campuses, including the Siesta Key location. For details, visit oda.edu/summer.
Selby Aquatic Center and Sarasota Sharks (Palmer Ranch)
The Selby Aquatic Center, located at 8501 S. Tamiami Trail in Palmer Ranch, offers swim programs and summer camps through the Sarasota Sharks. For more information, visit SarasotaSharks.org or call 941-260-9107.
Surf’s up! Fun in the sun at Surfit Camp, Turtle Beach. (Photo provided by Sarasota County)
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Spa Experience Siesta Key
Where luxury meets the love of family. RECONNECT. RELAX. BE PRESENT — TOGETHER.
This Mother’s Day, skip the brunch crowds and give Mom something she truly deserves: peace, pampering, and time with you.
At Spa Experience Siesta Key, the focus is on connection and care. Whether you’re treating your mom, your daughter, or yourself, their specially designed Mother’s Day Experience offers the perfect way to unwind and share something meaningful.
Step into the spa’s newly renovated Harmony Room — a tranquil space created just for side-by-side treatments. It’s warm, quiet, and designed to help you slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect.
The Mother’s Day Special includes:
• A 60-minute Massage to release tension
• A 60-minute Facial to nourish and refresh your skin
Complimentary Gift Bags and A Special Treat from Kilwins
Two hours of full-body relaxation in a peaceful, spa oasis.
Looking for more? Spa Experience Siesta Key is also debuting its newest luxury treatment line just in time for Mother’s Day: the Chocolate Indulgence Collection by Pevonia Botanica. These decadent facials and scrubs combine the rich aroma and antioxidant benefits of cacao with expert skincare — leaving your skin soft, smooth, and glowing.
Plus, the spa has recently expanded, adding four new treatment rooms and a growing list of elevated services, including:
Dermaplane Facials
Microdermabrasion
Lash & Brow Tinting
Full Body Waxing
Reiki Energy Work
Custom Treatment Options
With 11 licensed massage therapists, 5 skilled aestheticians, and 1 experienced acupuncturist, the team is dedicated to providing a personalized, highquality spa experience that leaves you feeling truly renewed.
Whether you come solo, with your mom, or make it a girls’ day out, you’ll find more than just a service — you’ll find a space to reset, feel good, and make memories.
Spots are limited, so book early to secure your preferred time.
Spa Experience Siesta Key (941) 349-4833
SpaExperienceSiestaKey.com
Open Daily: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Additional hours by appointment)
Welcome to Siesta Key. Long known as the home of crystal white sandy beaches and charming bungalows, the island is now recognized for its exclusive real estate listings.
In February, Crystal Waters, a six-bedroom, seven full bath and three half-bath, 11,606 square foot, West Indies style property, located on 2.78 waterfront acres, at 8501 Midnight Pass, went on the market for $31.5 million. The main house has an oversized three car garage. A separate four-car garage sits below the two-bedroom, one bath guest house. Expansive views, a pool, a 90-foot dock and a 20,000-pound boat lift, as well as tennis courts await a future
By Jane Bartnett
homeowner. Designed by Stofft Cooney Architects of Naples, the residence was completed in 2024. Roger Pettingell of Pettingell Professionals, Sarasota, is the listing broker.
While Crystal Waters is currently the most expensive home to list on Siesta Key and as of this writing, the most expensive listing in Sarasota County, it has company.
Not far behind, at 3990 Higel Avenue, is a $29,995,000, 13,035 square foot, seven bedroom, eight bathroom and three half-bath estate, set on one acre of prime Gulf-front property. Amenities include an infinity pool, a reflecting pool with fountain, and a private, deeded 20,000-pound boat
lift with direct Gulf access. A separate two-bedroom guest house has its own living space. Adnan Dedic of the Sarasota realty firm Compass is the listing broker. Together the two properties have made national news and caught the attention of wealthy buyers as well as those who closely watch the everchanging Siesta Key real estate market.
T.J. Nutter of Nutter Custom Construction is building the 3990 Higel Avenue home that was designed by the awardwinning Sarasota DSDG architectural firm. The style is defined as Contemporary
Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club is officially reopening to the public on May 1! As a semiprivate club, members do get priority access, but public tee times can be booked with 48 hours’ notice.
Even before the year-long renovation, Stoneybrook was one of my favorite courses in the greater Sarasota area. Golf pro Ed Katcher was kind enough to give me a tour of the refreshed layout and, let me tell you, it’s looking plush. With new tee boxes, fairways, and expanded greens, the course now offers a much more manageable putting experience. In Ed’s words, “the
Siesta Sand Trap
Stoneybrook
is back with a new track
By Scott Dolan
course has more playability.”
The greens have doubled in size, which I definitely appreciate.
They also added 28 new bunkers (not a fan—but hey, that’s golf), planted 212 new palm trees, and expanded the lakes to give the course an even more classic Florida feel with an upscale vibe.
The clubhouse is another highlight—perfect for eating, drinking, and tallying up your scorecard. The menu is excellent, offering everything from ahi tuna and prime rib sliders to fresh fish, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The bar is fully stocked with a wide range of cocktails.
During my visit, the daily special was brisket and mushroom quesadillas with a petite green
salad. This is not your average 19th hole.
As for the course itself, I haven’t
played it yet, but holes 6 and 7 caught my eye. Hole 6 is a fun 100-yard par 3, and Hole 7 is a beautiful short par 4—both looked par-able, even for me. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of room for you long-ball hitters. Green fees will vary as summer approaches, but Ed mentioned the starting rate will be around $80, which is consistent with prerenovation pricing. It may sound like a lot but, trust me, a day at Stoneybrook is worth every ball marker. For the latest rates, visit stoneybrook.net. Tee it high and let it fly—see you at Stoneybrook in May!
Discover the heart of vibrant community living at Bay Village, where welcoming connections flourish and friendships blossom. Please call us at 941.966.5611 to schedule a tour and learn more. Scan the QR Code to visit our website.
Stoneybrook reopens May 1 after an extensive renovation. Green number 6 is one of the many that have dramatically increased in size. (Photo by Scott Dolan)
How should you respond to tariffs?
The Trump Administration has announced tariffs on trade with other countries. While there has been a lot of uncertainty as to how these policies will evolve, it’s generally agreed that tariffs can be inflationary, and they have also sparked volatility in the financial markets. How should you respond to tariffs — as a consumer and an investor?
As a consumer…
• Review your budget. If you’re worried that higher prices will put stress on your cash flow, look for ways to cut costs, perhaps by eating out less often or eliminating streaming services you no longer use. Look for items that could easily be swapped for cheaper alternatives, like generics for brand names. You may even be able to get a better deal from your cable or internet providers, just by asking.
• Build or replenish an emergency fund. It’s typically a good idea to have an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a liquid, low-risk account. Usually, you’d want this fund available to meet large, unexpected expenses, such as a medical bill or a new furnace. But with the possibility of tariffs causing inflation in some sectors, you might also want your emergency fund ready to handle price increases in items such as car parts.
• Accelerate large purchases
susceptible to tariffs. If you’re already planning on making a large purchase, and you think the price may be affected by tariffs, you might want to act now, if you can afford to do so. Some items that may be susceptible to tariffs include automobiles, smartphones and computers.
As an investor…
• Diversify. Tariffs may affect some industries, such as automobiles and consumer electronics, more than others, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals. But rather than making hasty
“buy” and “sell” decisions based on tariffs and their possible effects, try to build and maintain a diversified portfolio containing a mix of stocks, bonds and other securities. Diversification is the best defense against the market volatility caused by tariffs — or, for that matter, caused by any other factor. While diversification cannot guarantee a profit or protect against a loss, but at any given time, some asset classes may be up, or not hit as hard as others. And if your portfolio is heavily
invested in an asset going through a downturn, you’ll likely take a much bigger hit than if your dollars were spread across the wide array of available investment types.
• Keep following a long-term strategy. Right now, tariffs are certainly in the headlines as a potentially disruptive force in the financial markets. But there have always been such forces — wars, natural disasters, political turmoil, and so on — and while they have caused volatility for a while,
the markets regained its footing, sooner or later. And the most successful investors were the ones who stayed the course throughout the disruptive events, rather than jumping out of the market until things cooled down. This doesn’t mean you should never make changes in response to market conditions — at times, you may need to adjust your portfolio somewhat. But by following a long-term strategy based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals, you’ll be better equipped to cope with market gyrations. Tariffs can lead to uncertainties in the financial world. But by thinking carefully about how you might respond, you can bring more clarity to your own situation.
Joe St. Onge, ChFC® Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments 5011 Ocean Blvd., suite 205 Siesta Key, FL 34242 (941)-346-0560 phone (941)-320-4030 mobile Joe.StOnge@edwardjones.com
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones. Member SIPC. -- Advertorial --
Luxury real estate
Florida. “The plan design for this home is exceptional,” said Nutter. “This is a large home on a very prominent site.” With years of custom home experience on Siesta Key and throughout the area, Nutter is no stranger to the real estate market on and around the Key.
“I’m local. My mother is from here,” said Nutter. “We care deeply about the community and strive to make smart changes that benefit the integrity of the barrier islands. Our profound knowledge of the region is what makes that possible.”
Looking ahead, Nutter believes that Siesta Key’s future is bright for the luxury home market as well as for the future of real estate for those with less lofty bank accounts.
“Siesta Key is going to be fine; it will probably be better than it was,” he said, speaking of the residential real estate market as it recovers from last fall’s hurricanes. Nutter expects redevelopment on the Key to strengthen the home market.
Speaking of the custom homes that his company
Continued from page 24
builds, he said that none of the residences that Nutter built in the recent past sustained storm damage. “I want the homes that we build to withstand these storms. Our homes are designed and built using materials and techniques to insure they are durable and sustainable.”
Nutter’s confidence in the Siesta Key market is shared by other real estate experts.“Five years ago, if you wanted three acres of bay front new construction in Sarasota, it just didn’t exist,” broker Roger Pettingell told Sarasota Magazine. “The market,” he told the magazine, “has evolved.”
Sotheby’s 2025 Luxury Outlook, an online publication from the real estate firm reports “the Millennial generation is breaking into the luxury property market in a major way. Millennials want turnkey properties and they’re willing to pay for it. In the 2025 Sotheby’s International Realty agent survey, those born between 1981 and 1996, currently aged 29 to 44, were identified as the second fastest-
growing group of homebuyers by some 32% of responding brokers.”
Although the real estate market for the entire Sarasota region has slowed, luxury properties are holding their appeal. With numerous international news outlets, such as the Wall Street Journal, MSN, and others reporting on record breaking Siesta Key listings, such as the two found on either end of the island, sales of these exceptional homes and the quiet appeal that Siesta Key was known for by a select few, is a secret no more.
And who are the custom home buyers that Nutter is seeing? “Midwest people and locals who are going to redo their homes. Also, Sarasota area residents. We will see a lot of new custom construction,” he predicted. “The beauty of Siesta is there are so many styles. It’s part of what I love about Siesta Key. French country, Key West style homes, it’s all over the map.”
“I have confidence in Siesta Key,” said Nutter, “and everyone else should too.”
Aerial shot of 3990 Higel Avenue, a $29,995,000, 13,035 square foot home set on one acre of prime Gulf-front property. (Photo provided)
Sanderling
Continued from page 1
former Sanderling board member, said. “It is still a delightful, beachy place to be.”
While the clubhouse previously was air-conditioned, Sanderling’s current thinking is to convert it into an open-air pavilion. “A little shade and breeze go a long way,” Strang said. “We’re not trying to do anything crazy or beyond what is there.”
Sanderling will work with county officials on permitting and with historic consultants to come up with final plans that hit the correct balance between historic preservation and rebuilding to modern code for resiliency and protection in future storms. Work could start in the late spring or early summer, Strang indicated.
Sanderling Club president John Amato said in an interview, “The community is excited about moving forward and having the clubhouse back. The community is upbeat. There’s a sense of satisfaction, of people pulling together.”
Phase one of the clubhouse rebuild, Amato said, will be to restore the previously airconditioned first floor kitchenette, bathroom and meeting space, bringing the facility back to “where it can be a gathering place again.”
It will be “basic and simple,” he said.
Plans are uncertain for the clubhouse’s second floor, which formerly held individual cabanas. Amato said a community cabana was one option up for discussion.
Amato also envisions, for the surrounding area, shade structures, Adirondack chairs, fire pits, possibly a kayak launch and
other amenities.
As to the site of the 25 destroyed cabanas, Amato said: “We’ll figure out what we want there.”
The cabanas, Strang said, are “a topic for 2026,” adding that “we want to be smart about it” so that any possible rebuild will be resilient to future storm damage. One option, he suggested, might be to have an architectural competition to develop new ideas.
Architecture Sarasota president Morris “Marty” Hylton, whose organization has been advising Sanderling and other Siesta Key homeowners on rebuilding issues, said of rebuilding the cabanas: “It’s too soon to make any decision. Can they? Yes. Should they is a whole other question,” he said, because of the spot’s exposure to future hurricanes.
They shouldn’t be constructed as they were on the same spot because the same thing would happen again, so they would have to be moved inland – which, as he noted, would defeat the purpose of having beach cabanas.
Meanwhile, since the storms, Strang said, the community has gotten its marina, tennis courts and pickleball courts back in action, and the water quality in adjoining Heron Lagoon has improved.
“It’s definitely going to be a new era for Sanderling,” Strang said.
The Sanderling Club community has about 105 homes, several of which were destroyed by Helene and Milton. Former Sanderling president Brian Hudson, who still lives in the community and whose house survived, estimated that about ten homes had to be demolished.
Island Fishmonger
“Hooked on Health: Five Easy Fish Dinners to Reel in at Home”
By Chelsea Malcolm & Scott Dolan
If you’ve been trolling Siesta Key menus looking for a way to bring that fresh, beachy flavor into your own kitchen—without sacrificing your health goals—you’re in luck.
This month, we’re diving into five easy, nutrient-packed fish dinners that are sure to be the catch of the day in your home kitchen. Bonus: we’ve paired each dish with a splash of wine, a nod to our local favorites, and a little something extra for your body and soul. And yes, we’re giving Big Water Fish Market a big ol’ salty shoutout—because if you’re cooking fish in Sarasota, that’s where the locals go to net the freshest seafood.
1. Broccoli & Salmon: The Hot-Hearted Duo Salmon is a reel MVP in the health world, loaded with omega-3s for heart health and glowing skin. Roast it with fresh broccoli (hello, fiber and Vitamin C!) and a drizzle of olive oil for a quick sheet pan dinner that’s as easy as it is elegant.
Wine pairing: A crisp, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc.
Local inspo: Think The Cottage’s zesty seafood plates—but make it yours.
Health hook: Add a side of sautéed seaweed (yes, really!) for extra iodine and antioxidants.
2. Mahi & Avocado Tacos: Tides of Flavor
Mahi mahi is lean, light, and swims well with bold flavors. Tuck grilled fillets into warm corn tortillas with avocado, cabbage, lime, and maybe a splash of mango salsa.
Wine pairing: A chilled Rosé, fruity and refreshing.
Local inspo: Inspired by Siesta Key Oyster Bar’s beachy vibes with a homemade twist.
Bonus bite: Avocado’s healthy fats support brain function and pair swimmingly with Mahi’s protein power.
3. Cod with Mushroom Marsala Sauce: Fine Dining at Dockside
Sauté cod until flaky, then pour over it a savory mushroom Marsala sauce (yes, it’s easier than it sounds). Earthy mushrooms balance cod’s mildness—and if you’re feeling wild, toss in a splash of truffle oil.
Wine pairing: A dry Marsala, naturally!
Local inspo: Picture Summer House’s fine coastal flair in your own kitchen.
Secret weapon: Add a pinch of powdered lion’s mane mushroom (we love Maine MANE) to the sauce for extra brain-boosting benefits
4. Mackerel with Roasted Brussels & Beets: The Bold Plate
Mackerel may not be everyone’s first pick, but it should be. It’s bold, rich, and one of the highest in omega-3s. Roast with Brussels sprouts and beets for a color-packed powerhouse meal.
Wine pairing: A light Pinot Noir to cut through the richness.
Local inspo: It’s giving Daiquiri Deck’s fearless flavor combos, but with a health-forward twist.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the beets— they’re loaded with nitrates to boost circulation and performance.
5. Seared Tuna with Seaweed & Sesame Slaw: The Glow-Up
Sear tuna steaks for a quick, restaurant-worthy dinner. Serve over a sesame cabbage slaw with sliced nori or wakame seaweed tossed in. It’s clean, fresh, and totally Instagrammable.
Wine pairing: A mineral-rich Albariño or dry Riesling.
Local inspo: Echoes of Shore’s sleek seafood plates—served beachside, barefoot.
Why seaweed? It’s rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and fiber— and it gives your gut microbiome a tasty boost.
Fish Oil & Fungi: The Unsung Heroes of the Sea (and Soil)
Let’s not forget: while your plate does the heavy lifting, your supplements can support the rest.
Omega-3 Fish Oil Pills: These heart-healthy heroes help reduce inflammation, boost brain function, and support joint health. Whether you’re battling high cholesterol or just want clearer thinking, a daily dose keeps you sharp as a shark.
Maine MANE Mushroom Pills: Lion’s mane mushroom is your brain’s best friend. This natural nootropic supports memory, focus, and nerve regeneration. If coffee leaves you jittery, lion’s mane gives you clarity without the crash.
Final Bite:
Fish isn’t just food—it’s a lifestyle. And with Siesta Key as our muse, Big Water Fish Market as our go-to, and a few fun pantry additions (looking at you, seaweed and mushrooms), you can reel in vibrant health and coastal flavor every single night.
So go ahead—eat like you live by the water. Because here in Sarasota, we do.
BOUTIQUE 41
Seared tuna and seaweed salad at Big water Fish Market. (Photo provided) Tuna avocado and papaya salad. (Photo provided)
The Highs and Lows of Properties Sold on Siesta Key
The 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.
LOWEST PRICED SINGLEFAMILY RESIDENCE
5159 OAKMONT PLACE
$990,000
This home has been impeccably maintained and is in a great location! Only 1.4 miles to Siesta Key Beach and 2.4 miles to Siesta Key Village. Surrounded by vibrant, beachy charm, this
HIGHEST PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE
1172 HORIZON VIEW DRIVE
$4,500,000
This 4-bedroom luxury residence offers private beach access and spectacular, panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. As you step inside, an elevator or staircase leads you to the main floor, where cathedral ceilings welcome you. The formal, but open concept, living and dining rooms feature a wall of sliding glass doors that open to the screened porch offering panoramic views of the pristine beach and exterior landscapes. The heart of the home lies in its open concept living space, featuring a kitchen, family room, and casual dining area. The family room is brightened by cathedral ceiling windows, anchored by an incredible, two-story stone fireplace that is connected to the screen porch by a wall of expansive sliding doors. The main
home offers tranquil living in a secluded serene ambience.
This home has a split floor plan and offers a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living with four sliders to the beautiful, screened pool lanai from the primary bedroom, the dining room, the family room and another bedroom. This home
LOWEST PRICED CONDO
6063 E PEPPERTREE WAY, #111
$300,000
Opportunity knocks in the highly sought-after Peppertree community on Siesta Key!
This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo boasts stunning views of the Intercoastal Waterway. Located minutes from the
South Bridge, you’ll enjoy easy access to shopping, dining, and all the best island amenities. While the unit was affected by flooding during the recent hurricane, it has been remediated and is ready for a full remodel, allowing you to create your dream coastal retreat. Peppertree
has: all new hurricane impact windows, HVAC was replaced 3/23, epoxy sealed garage floor, and an aluminum roof. There is a huge walk-in shower in the primary ensuite with a rainfall shower head. A new Bosch dishwasher was just installed in February.
Courtesy of Michael Saunders
HIGHEST PRICED CONDO
6312 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD, #3015
$1,295,000
level hosts the private primary suite, a sanctuary with high ceilings, abundant natural light, and an ensuite bathroom featuring a soaking tub, shower, vanity with extensive space and two walk-in closets. The porch ties the entire main floor together and provides a weather protected perch to enjoy mesmerizing sunsets. The upper floor features two spacious bedroom suites with sliding glass doors. A third bedroom flooded with natural light overlooks the front of the property. It includes garages for three cars, storage for kayaks, watersports, bikes, & outdoor gear. This first floor opens, via three glass sliding doors, to a private outdoor oasis featuring a lawn and plantings, sun drenched patio, heated saltwater swimming pool, oversized heated spa, and an outdoor shower.
Courtesy of Keller Williams
This Crescent Arms direct gulf front unit has a 180-degree view of beautiful Crescent Beach. This unit has been updated completely and the rental numbers reflect it. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom split plan offers complete privacy to all guests. Large family room with fabulous views of the Gulf. This unit comes equipped
Bay offers resort-style living with private beach access, two heated pools, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a fishing pier. Priced below market value, this is a rare opportunity to own in one of Siesta Key’s most desirable communities.
Courtesy of Michael Saunders
with hurricane protective doors and was untouched by the 2024 storms. One-week minimum rentals are allowed giving you the ability to generate maximum income for this unit. Covered assigned parking. Common laundry on each floor and a beautiful pool and clubhouse onsite. Access to the beach is close as these buildings sit right at the edge of the beach.
Courtesy of Waterside Realty
Keeping it Real By
Natalie Gutwein
Siesta Key Real Estate: What Q1 2025 Numbers Are Really Telling us
As a real estate agent here on Siesta Key, I was eager to see how the market was going to react after the hurricanes. It’s been six months now, and not only do we have the cleanup to deal with, but also the fluctuations in the stock market, the overall economy, and tariff negotiations. I could see things were changing in my day-to-day business, and I was looking forward to digging into the data.
of their list price, indicating buyers are negotiating more. Sellers are adjusting. And while prices are softening, homes are still moving fairly quickly: average days on market dropped to 58, down 39% year over year.
There are 27 pending contracts (a 7% dip from 2024), and 173 active listings on the market, which is up 20% but very much in line with preCOVID inventory levels.
What’s the Supply Like?
Single-Family Homes: A Stronger Start
Single-family home sales were up 17% in Q1 2025, with 55 homes sold compared to 47 in the same period last year. For context, though, 97 homes sold in Q1 of 2021, so we’re still climbing back to those peak levels.
The sweet spot this quarter was the $1M–$2M range, where 22 homes sold. Six properties closed for over $4M, which is fewer than we saw in 2024.
The average sale price was $1.996M—down 35% year over year. But don’t panic; last year’s average was inflated by several new construction sales that skewed the data, pushing the Q1 2024 average to over $3M. In comparison, 2023’s Q1 average was $2.23M, which better reflects where the market’s landing now.
Price per square foot is sitting at $703—down 26% from last year but still higher than where we were in 2021. Homes are selling at about 91%
We’re currently sitting at 9.4 months of inventory overall, which is a modest 3% increase. When you break it down by price range, homes priced between $500K and $1M have a 3.8-month supply, while those in the $1M to $2M range are seeing about 8 months. The $2M to $4M segment has a 12-month supply, and properties over $4M are at a 23.5-month supply. These figures reflect a competitive landscape, where pricing strategy, presentation, location, and overall property condition are more important than ever for sellers hoping to stand out and secure top dollar.
Condos: A Slower Climb
The condo market? That’s a different story.
Only 44 condos sold in Q1— down 48% from last year and the lowest we’ve seen since 2019. The $500K–$1M range took the biggest hit, with a 62% drop in sales. The $1M–$2M range was down 52%, while the over-$2M segment held steady thanks to some new construction closings.
The average condo price dipped just 3% to $1.065M. The most significant drop was in the $4M+ tier, which slid 22%. Price per square foot is down only 1.5%, and the listto-sale price ratio is holding at 93%, just 3% off last year.
However, average days on market are up 28%—back to 2020 levels, which isn’t surprising given everything the condo market has weathered.
We now have 224 active condo listings—up a whopping 113% from last year but still under the 2019 total of 260. Pending sales are down 36% year over year, putting us right back around 2020 levels. Months of inventory? Fifteen.
What’s behind the slowdown? It’s a mix of factors—new legislative assessments for reserves and deferred maintenance, rising insurance costs, stock market adjustments, tariffs, and a sluggish recovery from last year’s water events. The numbers show exactly how that’s playing out.
A New Trend: Vacant Lots on the Rise
One of the most interesting shifts we’re seeing this year is the emergence of vacant lots as a distinct market category. That just didn’t exist in meaningful numbers before.
In all of 2024, just 10 vacant lots sold. That followed seven sales in 2023 and nine in 2022. But in the first quarter of 2025 alone, nine lots have already closed, with seven more pending and 57 currently active—a clear sign of growing demand and
renewed interest. This surge is largely fueled by properties affected by last year’s storm activity, many of which were either fully remediated or cleared for new construction. For buyers, this presents an exciting chance to build brand-new homes in prime island locations. For sellers, especially those offering cleared or partially remediated properties, there’s strong momentum from end users and builders alike. With limited land available on Siesta Key, these listings are poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping the next chapter of the island’s housing market.
So, Where Are We Headed? Honestly, it feels like we’re heading back to 2019 levels across the board. Inventory is climbing,
especially in the condo segment, and prices are settling—not crashing, just recalibrating. This all aligns with the concept of mean reversion—where prices eventually return to historical averages. After the wild spikes in 2022, the market seems to be balancing itself out again. We’ve been tracking this data for two decades, and it’s clear we’re in a new phase of the cycle. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the numbers and can’t wait to dive into the second-quarter report in just a few months. Stay tuned! Stay sunny, Siesta!
Natalie Gutwein is a buyers agent with the Judie Berger Team at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Real estate market data via Judie Berger Team and Stellar MLS as of 4/3/2025.
general maintenance.
“There was a lot of chatter on the island from people that live out there, work out there, own businesses, that Siesta Key was just starting to look tired,” said Natalie Gutwein, Siesta Key resident, realtor and chamber of commerce and SKA board member, who also is a team leader for the alliance, on April 13. “Then after the hurricanes happened, it became abundantly obvious that we had to do something.”
So Gutwein began speaking with a variety of stakeholders.
stating, “Tourism remains a critical revenue generator for Sarasota County, as Visit Sarasota reported that the county welcomed 159,4000 paid accommodations in March 2024 alone. With Siesta Key drawing 62% of these visitors, it is crucial for capital improvements to keep pace with village maintenance so that lodging providers may continue to stimulate over one-third of the county’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue.”
“Everybody was talking about it in their own circles,” she said. “So, collectively, we decided let’s get together and form an alliance where we can gather ideas and forward them on to the county as one voice.” She said the alliance will be meeting with commissioners and county staff on the key to discuss possible plans. “We want to hear their ideas, share our ideas, but we are receptive to input from anyone with good suggestions to make this look like the #1 beach designation that people have given us,” she said.
Steube’s letter also emphasized capital improvement funds could be employed for public safety and the alliance and SKVMC are committed to a “public-private partnership,” in which funding provided now would become the basis for an ongoing improvement funding source which would “preclude the need for redirecting atlarge county revenue in the future.” Additionally, Steube acknowledged the effect of “three unprecedented hurricanes” and the ensuing recovery on residents and business owners on the key.
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Gutwein, on behalf of the alliance, shared a statement with Sarasota County Commissioners during their March 11 meeting, and gave a similar presentation April 10 at the monthly SKA meeting. Proposed enhancements cited include improved island entranceways, rights of way, with the Village and South Bridge District especially in need of attention to landscaping, lighting, pedestrian pathways and signs, with additional interstate signage to the key. Additionally, Gutwein and other members of the alliance have shared these ideas with commissioners separately from county meetings.
“The commissioners have been great to work with,” Gutwein said. “They appreciate that Siesta Key is a big part of the charm of Sarasota County, and we need to represent that. We want to amplify that it is a destination while making it a more beautiful place for the residents that live there.”
Steube’s March 31 letter showed government recognition of the importance of the key
Commissioner Mark Smith, an architect who lives on the key and whose district includes the northern part of the key, said that on April 13 he spoke with county administrator Jonathan Lewis regarding the alliance’s request and planned to discuss Steube’s letter at a future commission meeting. “What we need is an infusion of cash,” Smith said, and cited the same potential funding sources as those mentioned by Steube. Smith said commissioners attended a presentation on April 11 led by Kevin Guthrie, Florida Division of Emergency Management executive director, who said after a disaster, it is imperative to get the “economic engine up and running again,” and in Florida, that is tourism. “So, I am just going to remind the commission of what we heard,” Smith said. He added, “You’ve got to first clean up before you can rebuild, so that has been the focus. Now, the focus needs to be on the rebuild and revitalization.”
The Siesta Key Beautification Alliance is actively seeking input. Please send suggestions to: natalie.gutwein@ sothebysrealty.com
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Happiness is…Next Steps
May is graduation season, and we’re proud to celebrate our amazing Abel’s Ice Cream seniors as they head off to chase their dreams!
Addyson is off to Bryan College to play basketball and pursue a master’s in criminal psychology. Her favorite flavor? Chocolate Peanut Butter (Rich chocolate ice cream swirled with a creamy peanut butter.) Funniest moment? Accidentally dropping a scoop into the hot fudge!
Lizbeth plans to study accounting. She’s all about Stellar Coffee (Rich and decadent coffee ice cream with delicious fudge & mini dark chocolate coffee cups.) Most memorable moment? One windy day, she and a teammate were taking out the trash when the buckets blew away, and they had to chase them all over the parking lot!
Taylor dreams of becoming a nurse and cherishes the connections she made with regulars. Her pick? Cherry Oblivion (Creamy black cherry ice cream loaded with black cherries & luscious liquid chocolate chips.) Funniest moment? A fizzy explosion mixing tangerine sorbet with Sprite!
“These students inspire me,” says owner Jerry Williams. “We’re so thankful to be a part of their journey.” Celebrate with us by enjoying our senior’s favorite flavors featured all month long served with joy as always!
Abel's Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Presents
Watch all the Siesta Sand Live Episodes on our dedicated YouTube channel or listen on Apple Podcasts.
EPISODE 15
Siesta Sand Live host Natalie Gutwein sits down with Siesta Key icon Wendall Jacobson — longtime manager of the legendary Beach Bazaar and a 34-year veteran of the Village scene. As a board member of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Wendall shares insider perspectives on the heart of the island. Also joining the episode: Premier Sotheby’s powerhouse Judie Berger, the #1 realtor on Siesta Key. She delivers an exclusive Q1 2025 market update and what’s next for real estate on the Key.
EPISODE 14
Scott Gerber, former yacht builder in Sarasota, now the Tube Dude, creating beautiful hand-crafted metal crafted art for businesses, homes, and public spaces shares his story. Also, Raul Jimenez, founder of Siesta Key Music Scene Facebook page and musician J Santi talk about the Siesta Key vibrant music scene.
EPISODE 13
Mike Granthon, partner at Above the Bar Hospitality Group and a board member of the Siesta Key Association. Granthon discusses a range of topics, including his passion project—the rebeautification of Siesta Key.
EPISODE
12
Mike Evanoff, president of Midnight Pass Society II, owns and operates Evie’s Management Group - a diverse group of local businesses that includes restaurants, bars, golf center, car wash, and commercial real estate discusses the latest on the reopening of Midnight Pass.
EPISODE 11
James Richards, local artist & author talks about his process and inspiration for the incredible work he does and Suzanne Armbruster who spearheaded the effort to clean up storm debris and sand piles on Stickney Point Road from Tamiami Trail to Midnight Pass.
WHAT: A weekly talk show video featuring segments on news, community leaders, business, and all things Siesta Key!
WHO: Brought to you by the Siesta Sand with host Natalie Gutwein, SKA Board Member, Siesta Sand columnist, and realtor on Siesta Key.
WHERE: The Sniki Tiki located in Captain Curt’s Village at 1204 Old Stickney Point Road
WHEN: Every Thursday at 9 a.m.
WHY: To provide residents and visitors from around the world all the current information impacting life on and around Siesta Key.
HOW TO WATCH & LISTEN: In-person at the Sniki Tiki, online at Siestasand.us, our dedicated Siesta Sand Live YouTube channel, our dedicated Siesta Sand Live Facebook page, and listen on Apple Podcasts.
Siesta Sand Live is Sponsored by
Siesta Sand Live host Natalie Gutwein.
�rin� Local
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Crabby Red Ale & Tiki Haze IPA
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