Siesta Sand - August 2021

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Home stretch for incorporation team Save Siesta Key group surpasses petition requirement, but wants more; next public meeting is Aug. 18

By John Morton Collecting petitions of support from 10% of a population of registered voters may not sound difficult, but on a tropical barrier island filled with massive condo complexes and thousands of back-and-forth snowbirds it’s no easy task.

Save Siesta Key, the group seeking incorporation of the island in hope it

becomes its own municipality instead of being governed by Sarasota County, recently cleared that hurdle. Required as part of the application process to the Florida Legislature, the 10% threshold was recently met, according to Save Siesta Key board member Tracy Jackson, who as of July 20 had hand-signed petitions from 993 of the

County to take first stab at hotels

island’s 8,915 voting residents.

Another 100-plus petitions have been turned in by property and business owners who don’t live here, but want their voice heard. Such support is considered an important part of the application, a Florida League of Cities representative told the incorporation team back in May.

Meanwhile, the required feasibility study being assembled by consultant Bill Underwood is nearing completion, Jackson reported, and now the creation of a required charter (the governing document for a municipality) is underway. In mid-July, Save Siesta Key hired Bob Pritt, a former Continued on page 32

Elsa was here, for just a short stay

Calle Miramar, Old Stickney Point Road pitches set to be reviewed by Planning Commission

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com The first two hotel proposals submitted to Sarasota County staff are the first two scheduled for county Planning Commission hearings, county documents show.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, the project team for the hotel planned on four parcels between Calle Miramar and Beach Road will have its chance to win over the planning commissioners. Then, two weeks later, on Sept. 2, the team representing Gary Kompothecras will appear before the Planning Commission to discuss his proposal for a seven-story, 120room hotel on Old Stickney Point Road and a five-story parking garage on Stickney Point Road.

Additionally, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis won approval of the County Commission on July 13 to set that board’s public hearing dates on the two proposals. The Calle Miramar project will be the solitary item on the County Commission’s Oct. 27 agenda. Likewise, the County Commission will address Kompothecras’ plans as the sole focus of business on the Nov. 2 agenda.

Both hearings will be conducted at the County Administration Center located at 1660 Ringling Blvd. in downtown Sarasota.

In late spring of 2020, one of the principals behind the proposal for

Tropical Storm Elsa, which temporarily became a hurricane, on July 6 and 7 gave Siesta Key a good soaking with about 2 inches of rain, but that was about it.

Wind gusts did reach 54 mph, but they mostly stayed in the 35 to 40 mph range. Many businesses closed early on July 6, as did the Sarasota-Bradenton airport, yet things were back to normal the next morning. Clockwise from above left, Patriot’s Pier got roughed up; the lifeguard stations were moved back from the water; Beach Road was flooded; Crescent Beach attracted a brave wave enthusiast the day after the storm passed.

(Siesta Sand photos)

Continued on page 36

Page 10 Page 7 This bird is the word

Page 13

Will you ‘bee’ the Beach incidents one to host a hive? dominate cop report

• Village Map/business listings PAGES 22-23 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 24 • Music Calendar PAGE 33 • Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 35 • Accommodations Map/ Listings PAGE 43

Page 4 Beach turf war to be discussed by county

Happiness Is…Back to School That’s not a phrase we often hear, is it? But after a long year of ups and downs, that is exactly the spirit of many teachers, parents, and students.

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Jerry and Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream

For the young crew at Abel’s Ice Cream, the coming school year will bring a return to normalcy with their peers and friends. A time of football games, in-person classes, and homecoming dances.

And for parents, who felt like they took a crash course in Teaching 101, the year likely means a return to more defined and comfortable roles.

So, yes, happiness is back to school. Back to routines. Back

to FUN! And the perfect way to spend a hot after-school afternoon with your family or friends is at Abel’s Ice Cream, enjoying their award-winning flavors in a cup or waffle cone, a smooth shake, or even a banana split.

In August, Abel’s is celebrating the tastes of summer by featuring Birthday Cake (no need to wait till your Birthday…Rich Cake ice cream with pieces of yellow cake, blue cotton candy flavored icing and rainbow sprinkles) and Caramel Caribou (Always a crowd pleaser….. Toffee ice cream overflowing with a thick river of caramel and mini chocolate caramel cups). Stop by today and

try them or any one of Abel’s 30+ flavors.

Abel’s Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza.

Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm.

Learn more online at our website, www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Awarded their Certificate of Excellence for SIX years straight!

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Let’s Together.

We are more than a vacation destination, we are a community.

ON AUGUST 18TH, HEAR THE RESULTS OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY & HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS!

Residents, Business Owners & Property Owners on Siesta Key:

SIGN A PETITION TODAY!

Go to www.savesiestakey.org/petition, or request one by emailing info@savesiestakey.org or texting 941-822-7840

Thank you for your support!

Next Public Meeting:

August 18, 2021 at 7pm Siesta Chapel 4615 Gleason Ave 34242

Guest Speaker:

Bill Underwood Consultant

Topic: Feasibility Study Results Presentation

GET INVOLVED.

SIGN PETITION • DONATE • VOLUNTEER • LEARN

Visit www.savesiestakey.org Board of Directors

John Davidson, Chuck Byrne, The Honorable Harry Anand, Tracy Jackson, Stephen Lexow, Rick Munroe, Lisa Choate, and Tim Hensey

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Elsa, I’m sorry but I’m swiping left

By John Morton

H

feelings who could share the same name, there is a conventional one.

For example, the next one on the list for 2021 is Fred.

Rounding out the list is Grace, Henri, Ida, Julian, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.

Wouldn’t “Wicked Wanda” be a headline writer’s dream?

Some of the nastiest storms have carried common, old-school names.

Donna in 1960 was brutal, as was Andrew in 1992, Charley in 2004, and Sandy in 2012.

You’ll see from this year’s list that there are also some contemporary, trendy names.

Katrina fit that bill. She of course caused ungodly flooding in 2005, and that always made me think of the one-hit-wonder musical act Katrina and the Waves.

Worse yet, their big splash came with the song “Walking on Sunshine.” Something tells me they haven’t played a gig in New Orleans in some time.

So, you preggers out there, study this list and be careful when you select the name of your child.

Would having his or her name match that of a hurricane bring them schoolyard fame, or recess shame?

When a little girl named Sandy walks the beach on Long Island, do people step aside out of respect or do they kick sand her way?

As far as Florida is concerned, I think having a hurricane name works for you. Take me, for example. “Going to the John?”

What kind of expression is that?

A Hurricane John would do me wonders.

Research (now known as “Google”) shows that eight hurricanes have been named John, and two kicked some butt.

One came in 1994, as a Category 5 doozy, and was the longest-lasting and farthest-traveling tropical cyclone ever observed.

It went from Hawaii to Alaska during a 16-day span, killing five in its path.

Two weeks and two days? From John?

OK, former dates of mine, stop the giggling. At least I didn’t kill anyone.

Oh, now you’re laughing even louder?

In 2006, another John packed a punch along the Pacific coastline of Mexico. A Category 4, also with five died in this case. The damage total was estimated at $60.9 million.

It even caused mudslides.

And I’ll take one of those, nice lady behind the bar at the Daiquiri Deck.

I’ve had enough hurricanes.

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Word on the beach

Greetings from the Gulf er name was Elsa, and I was told she was going to take the world by storm.

But, as my lady luck seems to always dictate, she turned out to be a total drip.

She barely rated as a 1. Not even Jim Cantore was interested in getting her number.

Oh, too soon for hurricane jokes?

I should let this topic blow over a while?

No way. It’s the story of the year!

After all, people from around the globe were sending their prayers our way, via social media. TV stations had reporters positioned up and down the Suncoast, speaking of the impending doom as tropical breezes and a steady drizzle nicely cooled them down.

It sure did beat the risk of sunstroke their on-location assignments brought them just a day or two earlier.

Many of us residents kindly thanked Facebook folks for their well-wishing. Others had fun with it.

My favorite was a post where a cheap outdoor plastic table and four plastic chairs were shown, and one of the chairs had tipped over.

“HURRICANE ELSA 2021 ... WE WILL REBUILD,” was the smartypants caption.

Meanwhile, any poor kid out there named Irma is surely grinning proudly.

“At least I’m not an Elsa,” she’s saying to her classmate of that name.

Indeed, hurricane names are interesting. For every obscure one, almost designed to spare people’s

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Sluuuurp. And onward.

It’s quite incredible how Siesta Key has never received a direct hurricane hit in its recorded history.

The closest, I believe, is when Charley landed in Punta Gorda.

Sure, bragging about this feels like the ultimate jinx, but trust me when I say I’m knocking on the wood of my desk with one hand as I hunt and peck with the other.

And please know that I’m well aware how hurricanes are not a laughing matter.

But, like with everything else that’s evil and beyond our control, a little levity is sometimes our only defense.

Anyway, enough of this hot air.

If you’ve already named your child one of these hurricane names, all should be fine regardless of what transpires this hurricane season.

At least you didn’t name your kid Chad!

(Since the 2000 presidential election, that name hasn’t been allowed here in Florida.)

As for Elsa, she may not have been impressive but she sure was courteous. Imagine if she showed up a couple days earlier and doused our long-awaited Independence Day? Elsa would no doubt be crossed off that baby-name list.

Keeping with our theme, may I suggest Stormy?

That is, unless your last name is Daniels.

In that case, go with Fred.

(John Morton is managing editor of Siesta Sand.)

How did you discover Siesta Key? Tim Sheridan, Indiana “We flew into Punta Gorda and decided to visit places within a one-hour radius. We chose Siesta Key. It’s awesome! The sand is incredible.”

Ephriam Palmer Ranch neighborhood “When I approached retirement from the New Jersey State Police six years ago, we went up and down the coast, starting in Clearwater and ending in Naples. Siesta Key is what stood out the most. So, we got a place as close as possible.”

Melissa Flint, Michigan “I was invited down here by a friend a few years ago and now I’ve been back three times because I love it. My first reaction was ‘Wow!’ This time, I brought some friends to see it.”

Patrick Doylestown, Pennsylvania “The TV series. My sister Lauren loves it so we took her down here for her 21st birthday.

We just walked past the house.”

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Drawing too big a line in the sand?

Commissioners set Aug. 24 public hearing to address ‘no trespass’ condo signs that annoy some beachgoers

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com In late March, Sarasota County commissioners talked of having received numerous complaints from the public regarding signage warning people off “private beach” areas.

Commissioner Christian Ziegler — who represents the northern end of Siesta Key as part of District 2 — raised the topic and asked for his colleagues’ support for a county staff report that would explain “specifically what’s allowed and what is not allowed” on the beaches, along with options for addressing public complaints.

“I think [the situation is] something that’s really starting to boil over a little bit over there,” Ziegler said.

Chairman Alan Maio suggested that the Office of the County Attorney assist with preparation of that report.

“There’s lots of legalities involved here,” Maio noted.

Staff completed the report in mid-April.

However, the document did not delve into the issue of private versus public beach concerns. Instead, it offered options for how to regulate what staff called “incidental signs.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, in response to that information, the commissioners will conduct an initial public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s Unified Development Code (UDC) in regard to what county staff has characterized as “incidental” signage.

(The UDC contains all of the county’s landuse and zoning regulations.)

That hearing may prove to be an opportunity for Siesta residents to elaborate on concerns they have cited in emails.

It is scheduled for the board’s morning session, which will begin at 9 a.m. in the County Administration Center located at 1660 Ringling Blvd. in downtown Sarasota.

The agenda typically is not available until the Thursday evening prior to the meeting.

In this case, that date would be Aug. 19.

A staff memo in the board members’ agenda packet for June 8 — the date they voted unanimously to approve the advertisement of the Aug. 24 hearing — did note that the March 23 discussion related “to signs on private beaches that have been recently installed by property owners.”

Continued on page 28

Several condos on Siesta Key are posting flags and other signage that indicate privateproperty lines for beachgoers. Left, a notice separates the public beach from the Gulf & Bay. Meanwhile, mostly seagulls populate the large area of sand in front of the Gulf & Bay. (photos by John Morton)

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Island

Chatter Crystal Classic event beginning to take shape Tickets and parking passes are now available for the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, slated for Nov. 12 through 15.

Adult tickets are $10 per day, while a child ticket (ages 5 to 17) is $5 per day for those accompanied by a paying adult.

Children under 5 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Active and retired military personnel receive a discount at $8 per day (ID required), as do seniors 65 and older.

A four-day value pass is also available at $30, or $15 for those ages 5 through 17 and accompanied by a paying adult (available in advance and online only).

Parking passes (does not include admission) are $40 for Nov. 12, $60 for Nov. 13, $50 for Nov. 14, and $40 for Nov. 15. They are available in advance and online only.

Sign-up is also now available for the amateur competition, set for 8 a.m. Nov. 13. Only 25 spots are available, and they are distributed on a first-come basis.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available, as are vendor slots.

Meanwhile, as many as 200 volunteers are needed to present a successful festival.

Duties include set-up, hanging banners, displaying signage, artist hospitality, operations and entertainment support, admissions, beer and merchandise sales, and event break-down.

Those interested should contact Mia Leone at (941) 349-3800 or at mia@siestakeychamber.com.

Finally, on the entertainment front, organizers have announced that Fleetwood Max, the Definitive Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, will headline the Nov. 13 music stage.

A full live-music lineup will be announced in October.

Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 13, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15.

For details on all of these opportunities, visit siestakeycrystalclassic.com.

Continued on page 22

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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 SIESTA VILLAGE LIQUORS JUST NEXT DOOR!

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Community Spotlight Brad Ward

A local kid helps keep life here totally beachy

Q

You’ve been a lifeguard with Sarasota County for 12 years, spending part of your time on Siesta Beach.

As a local guy, how did Siesta Key influence your interest in this profession?

I grew up on the island and always thought the beach was the highlight of the island.

Growing up, I saw the lifeguards as the elites of the beach.

The beach was my second home and I was always amazed by the wildlife in the waters here, too. I knew I wanted to be part of that and make a difference doing something I’d love on the grounds where I grew up.

A

Q A

What is the biggest misconception about life as a lifeguard?

I hope everyone understands the important work lifeguards do on a day-to-day basis. We are there as first responders and trained to deal with whatever is thrown our way.

Whether it’s pulling people out of rip currents, helping to find lost kids in the crowds of thousands, jet-ski calls with rough conditions, or any kind of medical call one could think of.

Q

What important advice would you give beachgoers that is often overlooked or ignored?

Please respect the beach and your limits.

A

Above, Brad Ward keeps a watchful eye on Siesta Beach from his post at the red lifeguard stand. The Siesta Key native has served 12 years in his occupation. Right, Ward hits the surf during rescue training. (submitted photos)

The beach is a lovely place to have fun, but be cautious.

Waves, rip currents, strong currents and extreme heat can quickly ruin a day if you don’t know your limits. We do the best of our ability to educate the public and inform them of the dangers that are present. Listen

to the advice from lifeguards -they are there to help you enjoy a safe day on the beach.

Q A

Have you ever saved a life out in the Gulf, or on the beach?

I’ve definitely made several rescues during the last 12 years lifeguarding on the Gulf.

Even on the calmest of days, when it is least expected.

One of the more memorable rescue days was when I pulled 22 people out of the water in one day – the most rescues I have ever made in a single day.

It was a red-flag day, meaning beach conditions included high winds and strong currents, and I made several trips in and out of the water for rescues.

Sometimes it was rescuing more than one person at a time.

Another rescue involved the use of the personal rescue watercraft. There was a storm approaching as the call came over. It was me and a co-worker who responded. We launched the personal watercraft to assist two individuals who lost their

paddleboards and didn’t know how to swim.

As we got to them, the storm came in full force. Lightning was hitting on all sides of us as we were able to get to them and safely return. They were so grateful.

Q

On a lighter note, Siesta Beach has the four iconic lifeguard stands — yellow, red, blue, green. Which is your favorite? And why?

Out of all the lifeguard stands, I would have to say the yellow and red are my favorite. They always pack the most action and lifeguards at these two stands are most often the ones who go on marine rescue calls.

A

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Wanted: Hive hosts with honey in their veins Siesta Key an important area for Sarasota Honey Co. products, but former helpers have left

By Hannah Wallace We may envision beehives in open, country areas. But according to Sarasota Honey Co. founder Alma Johnson, the best honey comes from our own backyards — literally.

“By having our hives in residential areas, the bees aren’t exposed to big agriculture and monoculture,” said Johnson, who with her team oversees around 70 hives on private properties throughout the southwest Florida area.

But the company’s three former Siestabased hives had to be relocated off the key last year after the hosts moved away and the properties were sold. Johnson hopes to find new hosts in the area so that her bees can take advantage of Siesta’s lush flora. The honey from Siesta hives would contribute to the company’s Bayfront Honey product, which includes hives from areas near Sarasota Bay, where the same types of plants flower at similar times of year.

In exchange, Siesta’s landscapes benefit from the bees’ pollination.

Hosts also receive a share of the honey produced, or a gift card for Sarasota Honey Co. products.

For everyone else, locally the honey is sold at the Philippi Farmhouse Market, 5500 S. Tamiami Tr. The event kicks back into gear in October (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday) after its summer hiatus.

The company is located at 2227 University Pkwy.

Larger honey companies typically keep hives in expansive farmland, where the insects’ food supply is limited to one or two crops that only flower at certain times of year. When those crops aren’t in bloom, the

companies typically feed their bees corn syrup.

Bees in urban and suburban areas have a wide variety of food to choose from year-round. Johnson likened the big honey method to raising bees on canned soup; her bees get homemade chicken noodle.

While Sarasota Honey Co. often has a waiting list for prospective hosts, Johnson is keeping here eye out for viable Siesta properties. She likes to have hives in a variety of areas so that the bees aren’t competing with each other for food.

“Plus, if there’s a hurricane, we don’t want all of our eggs in one basket,” she added.

Prospective hosts should have a fenced-in property without too much shade. (Shade exposes the bees to pests and can make the insects more aggressive.) Pets, children and other variables affect a property’s suitability for hives.

Johnson employs special needs adults to help her tend to the hives and periodically harvest the honey. The operation is done entirely by hand, and the bees are not treated with chemicals.

Anyone hesitant about hosting a colony of stinger-equipped insects need not worry; Johnson’s bees undergo extensive behavioral testing. She even utilizes a property in Palmetto as a sort of rehabilitation center for aggressive hives.

“If they’re due a major attitude adjustment, we replace the queen with one of ours, with known genetics. She has manners,” Johnson said. “We raise really nice bees.”

Interested in hosting a Sarasota Honey Co. hive? Visit sarasotahoney.com/host-a-hive.

A glimpse into the life of a backyard beekeeper, and a bottle of the reward!

The Sarasota Honey Co. is seeking Siesta Key residents to host hives, after three such residents moved away. (submitted photos)

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What’s new ... on Siesta Key

The eyes have it at chic optical boutique

By Jane Bartnett “Eyewear is jewelry for your face,” said Darlene Tomasiello, owner of the new Eye Style Optical Boutique in Crescent Plaza.

Style experts, actors and anyone interested in changing their look will agree that the right pair of glasses can be transformative.

Think back to Superman. When softspoken newspaper reporter Clark Kent removed his heavy black frames, his whole world changed.

“Glasses can add glamour, an air of professionalism or creativity, and they can make a statement about who you are.

Change your glasses and you change your look,” said Tomasiello.

Drawn to the artistic nature of Siesta Key and the Sarasota area, the New Jersey native and licensed optician decided to open the new boutique at 6627 Midnight Pass Rd. with the goal of bringing artisan-inspired eyewear to Siesta Key. “The frames that I offer are more curated than what you will find in the large optical stores,” she explained.

Designs of more than 15 American and European eyeglass designers are showcased in a collection of hand-crafted eyewear from designers around the world.

Drawing on her 30-year career in the optical business, she said she is excited by the prospect of helping visitors as well as local residents find an attractive pair of glasses that will complement their appearance and also help them to have their best vision.

When a patient brings Tomasiello a prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and a frame has been chosen, she takes measurements and then sends the frames to the Zeiss laboratory for processing.

“NASA uses Zeiss lenses in their space programs,” Tomasiello said.

The prescription is then made into either single-vision, bi-focal, tri-focal or the popular progressive lens.

Eye Style Optical Boutique offers eyeglass frames for every day and specialoccasion wear. There’s a wide collection of sunglasses for sports enthusiasts and beachgoers, and also “ready readers,” that begin at $35 each with a magnification number of 1.00 and higher.

Also, “make-up specs” for women who wear glasses and struggle to apply eye

tennis and angling will find sunglasses designed for specific sports. For the water, Tomasiello recommends polarized styles.

She carries the popular Maui Jim sunglasses that includes an ultra- lightweight titaniumframed model. Other lines include the eco-friendly, Florida-made Costa del Mar sunglass for men and women, the fashionable new California-designed Raen sunglasses, as well as the elegant women’s Slyk sunglasses that are handmade made from wood and layered with genuine iridescent abalone seashells.

Above, Darlene Tomasiello sizes-up some eyewear in her new optical business on the Key. Left, the Miyagi look packs a punch of glamour. Below, a banner lets everyone know there’s a new store at Crescent Plaza. (photos by Jane Bartnett and John Morton)

makeup (the lens flips from one eye to the other and the glasses are sold in different strengths), as well as eyeglass accessories, are this specialty store.

Sunglasses for every activity “Because we’re right across from Crescent Beach, we see a lot of people who come in looking for a good pair of sunglasses,” said the optician.

When choosing a colored lens for

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beachgoers, Tomasiello recommends a gray or brown polarized lens with UV protection.

“Gray provides a cooler view and brown lenses provide more contrast. Both colors are truer to natural colors of the beach,” she said.

For those trying to catch up on their beach reading, she sells over-the-counter tinted bifocal sunglasses for outdoor wear.

Outdoor sports enthusiasts and active men and women who enjoy boating, cycling,

For everyday wear In addition to her extensive sunglass collection, Tomasiello offers a unique line of European and American eyeglass frames not normally found in large optical stores.

“Today’s eyeglass trend is toward bolder looks, especially for younger customers,” Tomasiello said. “Bigger frames that were popular in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are today’s look with thick frames, interesting shapes and retro designs.”

Bold bright colors and cat-eye frames for women are also very popular.

For men, tortoiseshell and bold dark frames are in.

If you’re drawn to a vintage look, she suggests French designer Michel Atlan.

Meanwhile, Hollywood stars such as Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett and Felicity Huffman wear the Italian designer Patty Paillette’s colorful and playful frames that are sold at the shop.

For a glamorous look, Tomasiello suggests a dramatic pair of black Miyagi Eyewear frames be-jeweled with Swarovski crystals.

The Massimo men’s and women’s brand frames from Italy are crafted in titanium, stainless steel and available in colors ranging from translucent to burgundy, and in rimless to semi-rimless styles.

While fashionable frames are important, Tomasiello emphasizes that “The most important thing to be aware of is how the glasses fit on a person’s face.

“The pads should line up with the eye wire, under the frame. The glasses should sit close to the eye and fit comfortably on the bridge of the nose. Glasses should balance your face and, most importantly, provide excellent vision.”

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★★★★★ TripAdvisorReview May 15, 2021 BEST SEAFOOD I HAVE EATEN IN MANY YEARS

From the Grill...

Fresh fish your way: Grilled or Blackened & topped with Lemon Butter, Pico or Salsa, Soups, Sandwiches, Steam pots & more!

From the Market...

Large selection of fresh seafood.

Special Orders Welcome!

Feeling crabby? Come on down and enjoy our fresh crab cakes. You can order them three different ways! 1. Crab cake appetizer 2. Crabby BLT sandwich 3. Crab cake dinner! Then to finish it off with a piece of homemade key lime pie.

The comfortable, cozy environment and the display of fish available was very appealing. I like fresh, scratch cooking and this was absolutely beyond my expectations. The clam chowder was the best I have ever ordered and included a clam in the shell. The crab cake was amazing and made with crab and spices and not cluttered with breadcrumbs. I am gluten-free and this is the first crab cake I have ever been able to order. It was delicious. I will be in Sarasota in a few months and will return to enjoy more delectable seafood. Hats off to the chef and the outstanding staff!

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Whether it be boat rides, beach walks, or word processing, Gringo the parrot is living large with owner Dan Sweeney. The Siesta Key man hopes to release the bird into the wild at some point in an ideal habitat, but only after proper training. (submitted photos)

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Seven years ago, Dan Sweeney “committed the sin of buying a parrot,” he said, referring to the sometimes-problematic exotic pet industry. Only later did Sweeney, now 58, fully understand the responsibilities involved in properly caring for the bird.

“There’s obviously a lot of abandonment (of parrots) because people buy them without realizing how much care they take,” said Sweeney. “They get neglected, and then they get mean. There are birds out there that have been sold five or 10 times.”

Sweeney was determined that Gringo not suffer that same fate. He educated himself about exotic birds, reading books like The Parrot Who Owns Me while catering to Gringo’s current needs and pondering his future.

As a yellow nape Amazon parrot, Gringo, who was only about 6 months old when Sweeney met him, will live to around 70. He now essentially has the run of Sweeney’s Siesta Key home, including the biggest cage that would fit in his owner’s music room and about 100 feet of rope perches on the back porch. He has a playhouse as well as a dark box where he can hide away.

“He has more square footage than I do,” said Sweeney.

He also keeps the bird’s flight feathers trimmed to keep from

By Hannah Wallace

unfortunate run-ins with windows or ceiling fans.

Now that he’s hit puberty, Gringo likes to shred towels and assemble them in his house like he’s trying to build a nest.

“He’s still just a kid,” said Sweeney.

Gringo sings songs, tells jokes, and is learning how to count and spell. Pedestrians near Out-ofDoor Academy might overhear his performances.

“Some things he never forgets.

Some things you’ll hear for a while, then you won’t hear it for a year, and then it comes back,” said Sweeney. “If you leave him alone, he’ll break into a matinee and do everything he knows.”

He added, “His laughter is addictive.”

As fond as he is of Gringo, Sweeney now knows that the bird will likely outlive him by several decades. He’s already begun planning for Gringo’s future without him.

“I don’t know anyone I could trust to give him the proper care for the rest of his life,” he said. Instead, Sweeney is looking at organizations that rehabilitate exotic birds so that they can eventually be re-released into the wild in South America.

(Gringo was bred in captivity, but he can still be trained to survive in the wild.)

Before release, these organizations spend time teaching the birds how to fly, navigate, and find food. Then the animal is fitted with a tracker, released, and monitored for safety. The former owner receives regular updates about the bird’s new life.

Sweeney estimates Gringo’s transition may be about 10 years away.

“As long as I’m able to, I’d like to keep him in my life,” said Sweeney, “but I’d also like to see him raise his own family.”

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TURTLES

On Little Sarasota Bay

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Key Casuals

www.siestasand.us Left, a shrine is on display in honor of two little ones who lost their lives far too early (Clayton Van Landuyt and Logan Rebhan), and a third youngster currently battling pediatric cancer (Hannah Shroyer).

Below, fathers (from left) Matt Rebhan, Ben Shroyer, and Matt Van Landuyt at last year’s event. (submitted photos)

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By Jane Bartnett The second annual Casting for the Kids fishing tournament, held to raise funds in support of local families whose children are battling pediatric cancer, will take place Sept. 24 and 25.

The event benefits the Sarasota-based Dancing with Clayton Foundation, a non-profit corporation founded in memory of 3-year-old Clayton Van Landuyt. At the age of 1, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma and passed away just two months shy of his fourth birthday.

Last year’s fishing tournament raised $25,000 in funds that were distributed by the foundation to 12 area families whose children were fighting cancer.

“It’s financially crippling,” said Matt Rebhan, co-owner of Alpine Steakhouse, who lost his baby son Logan to infant leukemia at 18 months of age in March 2020.

Matt Van Landuyt relates.

“We know firsthand that when a family is going through this and when their child is being treated for cancer, parents don’t always know how they’re going to pay their bills,” he said. “We help them to cover some of those bills and remove that stress.”

The two men, along with Ben Shroyer, met in the pediatric oncology floor of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. All three had

children who were being treated for pediatric cancer. Shroyer’s daughter Hannah is continuing her treatments at Hopkins.

The trio discovered that they were neighbors in Sarasota and bonded through their children.

Last year, they launched the annual fishing tournament as a way of honoring their sons and daughter while helping other families with children who are also facing cancer.

Spurred on by the success of last year’s tournament, in which 22 boats competed, they set a goal of 50 boats for the 2021 event.

“Last year,” said Van Landuyt, “we had 400 people at The Point in Osprey on Saturday afternoon.

We’re hoping for more, and this year some of the families that we helped during the last 12 months will also be there with us.”

This year’s Casting for the Kids Fishing tournament event will kick off with a captain’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening, Sept.

24, at Alpine Steakhouse, 4520 S. Tamiami Tr. The meeting is mandatory for all captains. Team members are also encouraged and welcome to attend. Boat registrations will be accepted from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a group meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tournament fishing hours will begin at the conclusion of the meeting and run through 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

On the Saturday, the public is invited to attend the final events that begin at noon at The Point, 135 Bayview Drive, Osprey. A kids’ dock-side fishing tournament, live entertainment, refreshments, raffle and auction items, as well as food and beer from three local Sarasota breweries will be available.

A memory tent with photos of children who have lost their fight with pediatric cancer during the past year will pay tribute to them and their families. Tournament winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m.

“We’re very grateful to our sponsors who are making this possible,” said Rebhan.

Van Landuyt concurred.

“We thank our Saturday host, The Point, as well as Alpine Continued on page 30

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Sheriff’s Report June 13 battery The security staff at the location of a fight advised the arriving officer that the suspect was intoxicated and causing a disruption at the bar. A security guard in uniform was attempting to find the suspect a ride home when the suspect began screaming profanities and pointing her fingers into the guard’s face. After being ordered to step away and stop yelling, the suspect turned away but then swiftly whipped back around and swung at the officer. The officer dodged her fist and grabbed the suspect’s wrist. The suspect was then apprehended, although she moved frantically about to avoid arrest. After the arrest and upon a conducted search, several pills were found in the suspect’s purse not in any prescription bottles. The suspect was charged with assault on an officer, disorderly intoxication, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of a controlled substance without prescription.

June 20 battery An officer was called to a bar on Ocean Boulevard in response to a battery complaint and spoke with the present security guard.

The guard stated that he was trying to escort the suspect from the establishment when the suspect threw a glass bottle at him. While the security guard was able to dodge the flying bottle, the object hit the victim across the bar in the back of the head, creating a large gash. The suspect claimed that he threw the bottle because he was angry that the guard was forcibly removing him from the bar when he did not want to leave. He stated that he did not mean to hit the victim but meant to hit the bouncer instead.

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June 23 theft The victim stated that she set up her umbrella and placed her belongings near the red lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach and went for a swim. When she returned, she was astounded to find her belongings missing. The stolen items included the victim’s black Coach purse, $50 in cash, and a Mitsubishi car key. There are no suspects or surveillance footage.

June 23 stolen vehicle An officer was called in when the victim returned to his vehicle and found it missing.

He had parked his vehicle in the yellow shell lot at Siesta Beach. He was still in possession of both keys and recalls the vehicle to have been locked. The vehicle was a rental vehicle, and several days later was found, undamaged, inside the fenced area of the rental car facility.

June 23 burglary The victim stated that while he was out, someone entered the condo he was renting and stole $350 and a $100 gift card. The victim stated that several people would have keys to the condo, including the condo association and cleaning crew. However, he did not know how to contact either party. There was no forced entry into the condo and there were no surveillance video cameras nearby.

June 28 theft The complainant stated that her son, the victim, had gone to Siesta Beach Access 2 with a friend and left a clear plastic bag, containing his cell phone, cash, and driver’s

license, on some rocks while he went swimming. When he returned, the bag and all of its contents were missing. The victim then tried to ping his cell phone to receive a location on it, and noticed the location seemed to move with the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation employee who was walking down the beach picking up garbage.

The victim thought the employee had accidentally picked up the bag thinking it was trash, and began to look through several of the garbage bags. Soon, the employee said it was time for him to go off-duty. When the victim tried to ping his phone’s location again, he noticed it was not moving. He was not sure if the employee had the phone and turned the phone off, or if the phone had run out of battery.

July 4 theft The complainant reported that she left her rental bicycle chained and locked to a bicycle rack overnight outside the tennis courts by the main public beach. When she went to retrieve the bicycle in the morning, she discovered it missing. There were no nearby surveillance cameras and no suspects have been identified.

July 4 theft The victims stated that all three of them placed their belongings in the same blue mesh bag before taking a walk down the beach. The bag, which held items including cards, cash, and car keys, was placed alongside the victim’s towels and shoes in the sand. When they returned from their walk, they found that the bag was missing.

A group of unknown subjects near the area

stated that they saw two females in the location some time before then, but after the police were called and investigated the scene, the suspects were not found.

July 4 theft The complainant stated that they saw a juvenile leave the Siesta Key market with a 12 pack of Truly punch, valued at $21.99. A police officer and the complainant reviewed the store surveillance footage, which showed the suspect and three friends walking into the store. The underage suspect then picked up the 12 pack and exited the store, followed by the other three juveniles.

July 6 battery While departing from a parking space in the Siesta Beach parking lot, the victim of the incident was seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle in which she was traveling with several family members. As she reported, the suspect, driving in the thru-lane of the parking lot, exited their vehicle and began verbally confronting the victim, who had her window rolled down. Soon the suspect reached in through the window, struck the victim’s arm, and attempted to take her purse. At this point, several bystanders stepped in and broke up the altercation. The suspect attested to a different series of events. She claimed that while she was out inspecting the front of her vehicle, thinking it had been hit, the victim and driver of the vehicle began yelling at her.

She then said that she got back in her vehicle to avoid conflict, and that there was at no point any physical contact between her and the victim.

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From June 5, when Sarasota County Area Transit launched its new OnDemand service in four county zones, through July 11, 304 trips had been completed in the Siesta zone, county staff reported.

The OnDemand services, which are being handled under county contract with a firm based in New York, allow persons to reserve trips through a mobile app for Apple and Google devices and by phone at (941) 300-1553.

The cost for the service is $1.25.

“After you book a ride, the app will display your pickup spot — we’ll either give you the address or business name at your pickup spot to help you find it,” a county fact sheet says. “All pick-ups should be at your requested location or within a block.”

Further, the fact sheet notes that all the vehicles will be branded with the logo and colors of OnDemand by Sarasota County, so they should be easy to recognize.

A mini bus is being used for many of the trips, county documents also have indicated.

When the county commissioners approved the OnDemand proposal, they likened it to use of Uber and Lyft.

The hours for the OnDemand service are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Stay connected to life on Siesta Key.

Subscribe to Siesta Sand Weekly eNewsletter.

Visit siestasand.us to sign up.

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Adjustments aside, new Saba Sands petition deemed incomplete

By Rachel Brown Hackney SarasotaNewsLeader.com In early March, in the aftermath of a Feb. 22 dispute resolution hearing, a special magistrate found that the Sarasota County Commission was not unreasonable in denying a petition for new construction on property located at 636 Beach Rd. on Siesta Key. Nonetheless, Tampa attorney Kenneth Tinkler also agreed that the petitioner, Saba Sands LLC of Sarasota, could submit a revised building plan for the commissioners’ consideration.

On June 1, the county’s Environmental Permitting Division staff finally received Saba Sands’ new application for a coastal setback variance.

Then, on June 22, the manager of Environmental Permitting, Howard Berna, responded to

Saba Sands, noting staff members’ requests for additional information to supplement the company’s petition package. Berna wrote that staff had deemed the application incomplete at that time.

Filed by Sarasota attorney Stephen Rees, the revised application materials say that the new proposed residential structure would entail 12% less total lot coverage than the existing singlefamily residence occupies on the 636 Beach Rd. parcel. Moreover, the documents note, the new, four-unit condominium complex would be located no farther seaward of the “current established line of the most seaward allowable construction as previously permitted by Sarasota County and the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection” for the existing single-family residence.

The condominium complex also would conform to the county’s Residential Multi-Family 1/Siesta Key Overlay District zoning requirements in regard to daylight plane criteria, allowable density, building setbacks and maximum height, the application points out.

The house standing at 636 Beach Rd. was built in 2000, the application says. It contains 4,090 square feet in two stories over parking, and its distance seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL) “varies from approximately 160 [feet] to 166.7 [feet],” the application adds.

The Gulf Beach Setback Line was established in 1979 as the county’s figurative “line in the

sand” to foster and protect beach habitat and vegetation which, in turn, protect landward structures during storm events and other incidents involving flooding.

The new structure would extend about 168 feet, 9 inches seaward of the GBSL, the application points out. Its four dwelling units would have a total habitable area of about 13,320 square feet.

The total building footprint, the document notes, would be 5,226 square feet under roof. The planned driveway and walkways would be pervious, the application adds.

A pool and deck area would be located on the roof, the application says.

The new design would have a maximum height of approximately

33 feet, 6 inches “to the top of the upper roof deck slab,” which is below the 35-foot maximum for the zoning district, the application continues. Additional height would be added, as permitted by county regulations, “for decorative architectural appurtenances,” the application points out, noting, “Trellis or shade structures to be determined.”

The previous coastal setback variance application In August 2020, the County Commission denied Saba Sands’ petition for a six-unit structure that would replace the house at 636 Beach Rd. The design at that time called for 17,106 square feet of living space.

Continued on page 30

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529 plans: More versatile than ever Sarasota Local Brings Experience & Trust to Siesta Key If you have children or grandchildren, you may already be somewhat familiar with the 529 plan, a popular education savings vehicle. But you may not have kept up with some recent changes in the plan’s capabilities and in the educational environment in which the plan might be used.

Let’s start with the learning environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities switched to online classes, or at least to a hybrid of in-person and online.

And even before the pandemic, many schools offered remote classes, though obviously not to the same extent. But after COVID-19 subsides, it’s likely that the online component will remain an important part of higher education. What does this “new world” mean for you, when you’re saving for college? Will a 529 plan still be relevant?

In a word, yes. First of all, a 529 plan can offer tax advantages.

Earnings in a 529 plan are federally tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified educational expenses. And if

Joe St. Onge outside his office on Siesta Key.

you invest in your own state’s 529 plan, your contributions may be tax deductible. (Withdrawals used for expenses other than qualified education expenses may be subject to federal and state taxes as well as a 10% penalty.)

Because tax issues for 529 plans can be complex, you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor before investing.

Online learning costs are eligible for a 529 plan’s tax benefits just as much as those incurred from in-person classes.

Tuition, textbooks, supplies, computers and services -- all of these should qualify, assuming the school meets certain criteria.

Also, students enrolled halftime or more don’t have to live in a dorm for room and board expenses to be covered by a 529 plan -- they can live in offcampus housing. However, these room-and-board costs typically must equal the cost of living on campus. Some schools identify a specific cost for “commuters” or “at-home students,” so you will need to contact the college directly to determine qualified room-and-board costs.

Now, let’s take a quick look at what some changes in the rules governing 529 plans over the past few years might mean for you.

Eligible expenses from your 529 plan include the following: • K-12 expenses: Parents can withdraw up to $10,000 per student, per year, from their 529 plan to pay for tuition expenses at elementary and secondary schools. So, if you intend to send your children to a private school, this use of a 529 plan might interest you.

• Apprenticeships: 529 plans can be used to pay for fees, textbooks, equipment and other supplies connected to apprenticeship programs registered with the Department of Labor. These programs, typically offered at a community college, combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training.

• Student loans: Families can withdraw funds from a 529 plan to repay the principal and interest for qualified education loans, including federal and most private student loans. There’s a lifetime limit of $10,000 for student loan repayments per each 529 plan beneficiary and another $10,000 for each of the beneficiary’s siblings.

All of these newer uses of 529 plans may contain additional guidelines and exceptions, and state tax treatment varies, so you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor before taking money from your account. But it’s valuable for you to know the different ways you can put a 529 plan to work.

Joe St. Onge, ChFC® Financial Advisor Edward Jones Investments 5112 Ocean Blvd., 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.

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A Practical Solution for Siesta Key and Property Owners That Choose to Rent “RSF” Zoned Properties on Siesta Key

Solution Provider

Plus, you have a new partner that can help you make this a simple reality: Beachside Management, the trusted vacation company, is expanding from exclusively ‘transient accommodations’ by adding monthly/seasonal options to their platform. Serving RSF homes on our barrier Island.

“The approach is something I’ve wanted to expand my company towards for a while now and the timing is perfect,” said Mike Holderness. “I want to serve my owners. It’s an additional bonus, if I can help serve my community by offering a solution and ridding our island of all these loosely managed and illegal transient accommodations.”

“We also have the best interests of all aspects of life on Siesta Key in mind. For example, we take the time to explain the needs of our sea life,” said Holderness.

Say a guest of ours were to leave the beach a mess or not fill their holes during sea turtle nesting season, they would be asked to leave the premises. Period, no questions asked.”

RENTAL OF DWELLING UNITS

RSF & RMF CITIZEN’S GUIDE | 2019 OVERVIEW Sarasota County allows for the rental of dwelling units.

Note: the Unified Development Code (UDC) rules and regulations are specific and depend on zoning district.

ZONING DISTRICTS WHAT CAN I DO IF I LIVE/OWN PROPERTY IN

WHAT CAN I DO IF I LIVE/OWN PROPERTY IN

• Short term rental use is not allowed.

• Transient accommodation is not allowed.

Leases are not required to be at least 30 days. Thus, leases may be LESS THAN 30 days.

• Short term rental use is allowed.

Q. RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY (RSF)*? Q. RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY (RMF)?

A. All leases must be AT LEAST 30 days.

A1 ON THE BARRIER ISLANDS *Other districts allow for rental of dwelling units, where the lease must be at least 30 days including: • Open Use Agriculture (OUA) • Open Use Rural (OUR) • Open Use Estate (OUE) • Residential Estate (RE) • Residential Combination (RC) • Residential Manufactured Home (RMH)

DEFINED TERMINOLOGY

TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION A dwelling unit that is rented for less than monthly time share periods, such as hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts or other accommodations with a similar use.

Transient accommodation does not include dwelling units zoned RMF located on the Barrier Islands which are rented for less than 30 days.

**Barrier Islands include Siesta Key, Casey Key and Manasota Key

A2 IN OTHER RMF DISTRICTS All leases must be AT LEAST 30 days.

• Short term rental use is not allowed.

• Transient accommodation is not allowed.

SHORT TERM RENTAL Rental of a residential unit in an RMF District on the Barrier Islands for a period of less than 30 days.

A short term rental is not a transient accommodation.

Last Updated: August 2019

The current real estate market on Siesta Key is unprecedented.

Inventory is extremely limited, home values are soaring, the demand for monthly/seasonal rentals is strong, and illegal weekly rentals still a major issue.

The practical solution: transition your RSF (residential single family zoning) weekly rentals to monthly/seasonal rentals.

Two key benefits to you for making the transition to monthly/seasonal rentals are expand business and increase your revenue legally. An additional benefit is to the community is to reduce the number of illegal rentals. To put it simply: you will make money legally!

Our ordinance allows RMF zoned properties to be rented as transient accommodations (less than 30+ days).

RSF zoned properties may not. RSF is 30+ days. Per Matthew Osterhoudt, Sarasota County Government | Planning and Development Services Department “When trying to convey the requirements for Sarasota County to anyone, please use the below educational tool.”

REFERENCES & RESOURCES The UDC is available online at www.scgov.net/UDC. Terms and references can be found below:

For questions or concerns, please connect with us at zoning@scgov.net or by calling 861-5000.

UDC, Article 6, Section 124-76(b) (General, Base, and Inactive Zoning District Development Standards)

Staff is also available to answer questions or concerns regarding your zoning district.

HAVE A COMPLAINT?

UDC, Article 8, Section 124-131 (Rental of Dwelling Units in OUA, OUR, OUE, RE, RSF, RMF (not on barrier islands), RC and RMH Districts)

Call the Contact Center at 861-5000 or download the SeeClickFix mobile application

UDC, Article 17, Section 124-305 (Defined Terms) FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CODE ENFORCEMENT, VISIT WWW.SCGOV.NET, KEYWORDS: CODE ENFORCEMENT

“DON’T FACE A $5,000.00 FINE. TIMING IS RIGHT TO TRANSITION YOUR “RSF” ZONED PROPERTY TO A FULLY COMPLIANT RENTAL.” “At Beachside Management, our current owners know that we care about their properties, the community we live in, and we are deeply committed to doing things right,” Holderness

How to Mitigate Illegal Rentals Q. What do you propose?

Call me. Beachside Management will handle your RSF rental needs and do so within compliance.

Anything else is unfair to our community. There is no need to rent RSF homes weekly. Regardless what other management companies are advising, weekly RSF rentals is wrong, it’s morally wrong.

Q. What else can done to mitigate illegal rentals on our barrier island?

County to require a registration process for RSF zoned houses on the barrier island that wish to rent.

That simple. We have a great ordinance, but “Siesta Key” forgot to add the registration process. This missing piece is the enforcement documents needed to better serve all of us.

Q. Why is this important?

Increased intensity isn’t from managed fullservice properties. It is likely caused by the near 1,000 illegal RSF rentals.

Q. Why do you feel this hasn’t been done?

It is my understanding that the county is concerned registering RSF homes on our barrier island makes it more stringent to rent. The concern is that the State would pull the pre-existing to 6/1/2001 ordinance. However, adding a registration process does not make it more stringent to rent

added. “Illegally rented RSF rentals hurts all of us.”

Impact of Illegal Rentals

Siesta Key has likely 1,000 problematic

RSF illegal rentals that are renting less than 30+ days; That could equate to $40M that is annually stolen from the legal RMF and CG rentals doing things right and likely up to $2M the county is not realizing. Besides, the 7% state is due.

“Tax revenue generated by tourism represents a primary source of state government funding that helps to build roads, support schools, pay for health care and other vital programs, and preserve nature settings.” Holderness says. These issues caused by RSF homes renting weekly hurt more than our residences.

When you operate within the rules, the net profit margins are reduced. These are resources needed for maintenance updates and employee payroll – It’s also about Quality over Quality. Quality over Quality increases rates and % of taxes collected.

Another byproduct of out of compliance rentals is the impact on the Siesta Key workforce. Employees and their families can no longer afford to buy or rent close to Siesta Key. Partially due to illegal rental activity impacting the affordability of housing. “Taking 1,000 rentals out of the market will flow to offkey and beyond.”

Finally, weekly vacation renters should not be mixed with families, these are neighborhoods, and their homes. It is morally time for RSF owners to bring back CORE neighborhood values and protecting them going forward. The market demand is also calling for it.

Additionally, Illegal rentals are also loosely managed and cause uncontrolled intensity Siesta Key was never meant to have.

Time to Act

Transitioning from RSF weekly rentals to a legal monthly or seasonal rental is not only the right timing but is easy to do.

This helps all of us that live, work, play and visit our great island. Besides, makes global economic and environmental sense. Lastly, Beachside Management will make it easy for you.

Contact Mike Holderness at Beachside Management for more information on how we can help you transition your SFR rental property at mike@mikeholderness. com or call me at 941-725-0338.

Q& A with Mike Holderness of Beachside Management

legally. Besides, illegal practices are not protected class. A registration process only affirms what we currently have. Jacksonville Beach had an existing ordinance and added a registration process. So has Miami and I heard Indian Rocks Beach has added the same.

Q. What does the implementation process look like?

Step #1: Board of county commissioner to direct county legal to vet the process with my team; Then deliver a factual staff report back to the BCC. If this happens, I’m confident said report will recommend approval of the registration process for zoned RSF owners on the barrier island that wish to rent. This empowers our great code enforcement officers.

Besides, there’s a huge amount of TDT revenue it would generate as well as fines for the ones that continue to rent out of compliance.

Q. How does a registration process empower code enforcement?

See, adding a registration process to accompany our existing ordinance is the key enforcement. Don’t overthink or over complicate a registration process.

This takes the burden of proof on the county. The registration process empowers code-enforcement officers and reduces staff’s load as it puts the burden ADVERTORIAL

on the 3rd party booking agents and in turn back on the owners renting illegally.

Further to the point, 3rd party booking platforms (OTAs) have their own rules and regulations that owners or owner ’s reps sign/ agree to. These booking platforms also provide code enforcement officers a government relation team that work directly with code enforcement officers on enforcement of existing ordinances, like ours. Said officers only need to provide the owner or owner rep’s signature “acknowledgment” of existing ordinance. Also, owner agrees to report all $ collected.

See, when a home is suspected of breaking the rules our code enforcement simply sends signed acknowledgement, to the booking platform’s government relations team, and request the date.

With acknowledgment in hand, the government relations teams will share all information on LOS (Length of Stays) and how much $ they collected.

Also, easy to calculate what is due in bed taxes.

Again, we have an existing and county has yet to implement the registration process for RSF homes to mirror/accompanies our existing ordinance.

Without, it’s hard to enforce RSF rental activity that’s out of compliance here on the barrier Island.

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Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor

Along the eastern seaboard and gulf coast of the U. S., as well as the southern California coast, the tricolored heron is a familiar sight.

That includes the mangroves, bays, and estuaries of Siesta Key. Nearby woodland cover is very important to this heron as it perches in trees when it’s not wading and foraging. During breeding season, tricolored herons

are easy to spot thanks to the eye-catching plumage of this adult specimen.

When you look this fabulous, you need an equally flamboyant hunting ritual! Stalking prey in the muddy shallows, the heron extends its wings to maintain its balance while walking quickly in water as high as its chest. Using its leading foot to startle small fish into movement, the heron darts nimbly in any direction while tracking its next meal.

Outstretched wings also cast shade upon the water’s surface, helping the heron to see and snatch its prey in a lightning-quick splashand-grab with its pointy bill.

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Blooming this month: Poinciana trees

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Poinciana trees are in bloom at the Sarasota Garden Club during the month of July and further into the summer.

The flamboyant royal poinciana is often rated as one of the five most beautiful blooming trees in the world. If you have room for a tree, this tree has vermilion (vibrant red blooms) that are drought resistant. It also makes for a great shade tree.

This tree can live in sun and grows to 20 to 30 feet in height and width. This is a “statement

tree” for you.

If you need a smaller tree, several dwarf poinciana trees are in our Butterfly Garden. These get about 15 feet in height and width.

These come in red and yellow varieties.

Both types of these trees are very easy to grow and both attract butterflies and bees, our great pollinators for other plants and trees.

Submitted by Kay Weber, Botanical Gardens Chair, Sarasota Garden Club

Sea turtle nest count (through July 17) Siesta Key: Turtle nests 471, false crawls 533.

Lido Key: Turtle nests 87, false crawls 226.

Longboat Key: Turtle nests 919, 1,259 false crawls.

Casey Key: Turtle nests 1,263, false crawls 1,573.

Venice: Turtle nests 545, false crawls 496.

Information gathered by Mote Marine.

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New fire station is open and ready to shine

Shortly after 8:30 a.m. on July 9, Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier stood behind a podium on the ground floor of the new Fire Station 13.

“My heart is beating out of my chest right now,” he said as he looked out over an audience of firefighters, county commissioners and staff, special guests and news media members.

Usually, he said, events such as the one that morning do not make him nervous. “But for this one, I don’t know why …”

The occasion was the official opening of the two-story facility that replaces the original Fire Station 13, which dated to 1974.

Finally, Regnier told the audience members, “Everybody come together and say, ‘Wow!’ One, two, three — Wow!” Voices rang out in unison with his.

The 10,500-square-foot station cost about $5.4 million, according to a county staff document.

Regnier pointed out that after the original facility was razed, “All the dirt was brought in” for elevation purposes, so construction could begin. Not being a builder, Regnier continued, “I stood … at the top of the mound of dirt that was here,” he said, and looked out at Beach Road and thought, “I don’t know how this is going to work.”

As a result of his climb atop that mound, Regnier said, people began referring to the site as “Mount Regnier.”

Firefighters and county leaders on July 9 joined in the tradition of uncoupling a hose as a ribbon-cutting of sorts to celebrate the opening of Siesta Key’s new fire station. (submitted photos)

Rich Collins, director of the county’s Emergency Services Department, pointed out during his remarks that morning, “It

was just a year ago, in June 2020, that the groundbreaking took place.

The two-story design has been used with

other stations in the county, Collins noted.

The structure is hurricane-hardened, he added, and county staff expects it to win certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainability features.

(A county document says the structure has been designed to withstand Category 4 hurricane winds.)

During his remarks, Regnier also thanked the Siesta Key Fire Rescue Advisory Council (SKFRAC) for its many years of support for Fire Station 13. The council in early 2018 donated a Polaris Beach Rescue vehicle and a Stryker Power Loading System to Station 13, which can be used for emergency operations on the beach, Regnier noted.

Additionally, the council contributed $16,000 for weight training equipment for the new station.

After all the remarks, Collins explained that, with fire station openings, ribbon cuttings are not the order of the day.

Instead, he told the audience, “We do a hose uncoupling. That tradition goes back a long time, he said, mentioning the days when teams of horses pulled fire wagons.

Collins invited everyone to join him outside the station. Then, with commissioners Alan Maio, Christian Ziegler and Ron Cutsinger standing alongside, two firefighters — Patricia Wacha and Christopher Tedrick — officially uncoupled the hose.

Civic group scores grant for ongoing canal regeneration Siesta Key Association Secretary Margaret Jean Cannon, who is one of the leaders of the nonprofit’s Grand Canal Regeneration Project, has announced that the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has awarded the association a $1,469 grant to introduce aeration devices around mini reefs already installed in the Grand Canal.

The goal is to increase the level of dissolved oxygen, she explained, as that is low.

In its application, the Siesta Key Association explained the objectives of its proposal: “Dead-end canals in the Sarasota

Bay watershed were built to accommodate waterfront housing. The natural habitat was removed without consideration to marine life sustainability. Subsequent legislation made adding habitat structure touching the bottom very difficult. If the structure does not touch the canal bottom, there is no permit required. This project will demonstrate the benefits of adding a floating habitat structure (a mini reef) under existing docks in public waterways. And, to assist growth, add aeration to improve dissolved oxygen levels improving sea life habitat. The regeneration

project will show citizens that the marine environment can be naturally revived and enhanced with minimal human assistance.

The results will be the regeneration of a sustainable juvenile fishery that will benefit everyone in the community.”

Siesta Key Association President Catherine Luckner pointed out on June 3 that leaders of the nonprofit worked for years to come up with ideas about how to improve the water quality in the Grand Canal.

Last year, Cannon began collaborating with Phil Chiocchio of the Sarasota Bay

Fisheries Forum, after he made a couple of presentations to members about the effectiveness of mini reefs.

During his very first appearance at an SKA meeting — in October 2019 — Chiocchio noted that the 9-mile-long Grand Canal dates to 1925. Over the years, he explained, the dissolved oxygen level had fallen so low that the waterway had almost reached the point where “most things won’t survive.”

His goal has been to see it revived by its centennial.

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Mind Body Soul: Whole Wellness Captain Curt’s

By Dolores Day “I want freedom for the full areas. Ultimately this desire is has everything expression of my personality.” what needs to be fed!

When we are free to grow you need to -- Mahatma Gandhi as human beings every day, more and more, into a better feel Totally think we can all agree that version of ourselves, it is this Imeaning this word, freedom, and its accomplishment that fuels our Refreshed! in our life is of the happiness. It is this never-ending,

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utmost importance to us. We are constantly talking about it, writing about it, and naturally seeking it within our own lives.

In fact, I think it’s the cornerstone of every desire that it is in our hearts.

When I think of living my happiest life, freedom sits at the foundation. Having freedom in all areas of our lives actually increases our overall wellness because freedom makes us happy, and the emotion of happiness in our bodies produces dopamine, the feel-good hormone.

Our bodies are constantly seeking an abundant dose of this amazing hormone because it makes us feel alive, happy, and joyful.

It does not matter where we live, what cultural or social group we exist in, or what kind of government rules our laws and lands. We can begin to live our lives with more personal freedom and experience more joy today.

There have been many before us that were imprisoned and lost physical freedom like King, Mandela, Gandhi, and Victor Frankl, and yet they did not conform and in their mind and soul were free.

Why? Because, “It is in the active self-expression and the pursuit of our own aims that we can become free,” said Brendon Burchard.

We must become consciously aware of what we think, desire and believe in our life and take responsibility for our behaviors.

This will produce the ultimate freedom that we desire. We must begin to cultivate our own personality and discover our

likes and dislikes while removing the cloak of the social conformity that seeks to starve us of our original uniqueness. Freedom begins when we begin to look outside the boxes we live in. We must however stop pointing our finger at others and begin to use our time and energy to seek out our own greatness and individuality while eliminating the judgment on the choices that express another’s personality and right to freedom.

How do we get started? We must get brave and honest with our true self! We must ask ourselves questions and consider the truth on areas in our lives that we may be conforming.

Why do I believe __? What makes me think this way about __? Is it true? What do I want to create? What do I want to share with the world? What is my truth and why?

We need to spend more time in personal reflection discovering the answers to these questions.

We will find the truth to what really lights up our soul and what areas in our lives would bring us more freedom.

When we take personal ownership for what we want to experience and create, we should find a deep-seated desire to grow, be better and improve in these

day-after-day looking for ways to improve, serve and heal that actually can and will make our lives healthier.

Let us be in pursuit of our own personal self-mastery. Let us dedicate ourselves to feeding our bodies daily, to nourishing our mind with sound material fostering good sense, as well as feeding the soul with the spiritual goodies that connect us to what is higher, for what we focus on grows.

It is time to actually use our freedom in our lives for good now. It is time to put away what we can not control and to begin to focus on what we can. We can control to what we give our time and attention. We can control where we place our energy and what goes into our mind.

This is our personal freedom.

We have been offered this by so many that have come before us and whom still serve. Let’s stop taking it for granted and start exercising our right to better our own lives by feeding all of who we are mind, body and soul and looking to how we can use all that is good within us to serve the world we live in!

It is in these daily decisions that we will discover more of our freedoms, grow into our best selves and, alas, make an offering to the world to show up and make the world a better place one thought, one action at a time.

Let it begin with me! Peace and love friends.

-- De Day (To read a daily dose of inspired teachings you can find and follow De on Instagram @de.day.love or visit her at www.de-day.com.)

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Dr. Michael Mumma May 27, 1957 – July 8, 2021 Mike Mumma, a devoted husband, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully July 8 in Sarasota after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 64 and a longtime resident of Siesta Key. Mike was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and spent his youth in Orefield, Pennsylvania. He attended Duke University and then Duke Medical School.

He did his cardiology internship, residency Dr. Michael and fellowship at Wake Forest’s Baptist Mumma Medical Center.

In 1989 he began his 33-year career practicing interventional cardiology in Sarasota. In addition to seeing patients in a busy private practice called Florida Cardiac Consultants, Dr. Mumma served as principal investigator in many new treatment trials through the Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) Clinical Research Center.

This year, Dr. Mumma received the lifetime achievement award from SMH for his lasting contributions to the practice of medicine and significant impact to patient care at SMH and in the community.

Mike always enjoyed time spent with family, traveling and a variety of hobbies, including fishing, flying, golf and woodworking. He was a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed boat captain, an instrument-rated pilot, five-time member guest champion, accomplished musician, and avid fan of Duke University.

He is survived by his wife Martha Mumma; brother Mitch Mumma; wife, Chris; their children Samantha, Kyle and Madison; stepchildren Summer and Gabe Waterman; and nephew Carl Geist.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Mike’s name to Pilots N Paws (https://www.pilotsnpaws.org/donate/).

In keeping with Mike’s wishes, a private gathering was set to be held to honor his life and memory in late July.

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LIVE MUSIC, page 33

VILLAGE MAP, pages 22 -23

ACCOMMODATIONS, page 43

CRESCENT BEACH MAP, page 24 GULF GATE SHOPS, page 35

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Master sculptor teaches ‘ephemeral art’ of sand creations Brian Wiggelsworth is digging his new beach business, despite the wipeouts

By Hannah Wallace “The neat thing about sand sculpting is, it appeals to everybody in the same way,” said Siesta-based master sand sculptor Brian Wiggelsworth. “Whether you’re 2 or 92, you’ve played in the sand.”

Wiggelsworth has made a business out of playing in the sand. The owner of the Sandventure Crew sand-sculpting company and the founder of Siesta’s famed Crystal Classic competition, Wiggelsworth began with the simple, universal impulse to build things on the beach.

In a normal year, Wiggelsworth and his team would ply their trade at corporate events and public festivals, creating 200-plus-ton sand sculptures outdoors, indoors or wherever they were asked.

But last year COVID-19 hit and business dried up, so Wiggelsworth added a new service: private sand-sculpting classes for families.

“It really took off. They always seem to have a super time,” he said.

The classes have been good for business, but Wiggelsworth’s primary inspiration was simply to find a way to “stay in the sand,” he said. He’s been doing it his whole life.

Traveling with his family as a kid, Wiggelsworth built sand sculptures in California, Hawaii, and even Minnesota. When he moved to Sarasota, he immediately realized the Siesta Key Beach sand was something special. He began entering — and then dominating — amateur sand-sculpting competitions.

“People told me, ‘You’re too good, you have to move up,’” he said.

“I didn’t know there was a ‘move up.’”

Eventually he was declared a master sand sculptor, an official title held by fewer than 300 people in the world. He travelled to competitions throughout the U.S. and in other countries, “but Siesta Key sand was better than anything else I was using,” he said. He realized he needed to start an event here that would showcase the local beaches’ famed quartz sand.

Brian Wiggelsowrth (left) leads a crew of sculptors that teach the magic touch to delighted beach clientele (below). (submitted photos)

Continued on page 33

August on the Key: Scorching and soggy, with sky shows galore Welcome to August, a month that, in terms of weather, seems to have it all -- or maybe too much? -- here on Siesta Key. Yes, it’s the hottest (average high of 88.5 degrees and average heat index of 104) and the wettest (it rains an average of 26.8 days with an average overall accumulation of 6.42 inches).

The average humidity? A whopping 74 percent.

For weather sticklers out there, Aug. 2 is on average the wettest day of the year.

That’s a Monday this year, and the dancers at the Sunday night drum circle will no doubt take credit for whatever happens that following day.

In case you are new here, the formula is simple: A late-afternoon cloudburst to cool things down, then back to normal.

Hopefully, it’s all done by sunset.

It’s usually short, and always sweet.

Newcomers should also know that this region is the lightning capital of the world.

Heck, they even named our hockey team with this in mind. And it’s working!

Respect a thunder clap in the biggest of ways, and take shelter. Last year, a teen was struck here and fortunately survived.

In 2018, a man died here when struck.

The Gulf is the answer to beating the August heat, but lightning is a true menace. As you know, water and electricity don’t mix.

On the flip side, once you are indoors and safe, some of the heat-lightning displays that occur late at night above the deep blue water are amazing. Those with a Gulf view will be in for quite a show.

-- John Morton

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.

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Siesta Sand

AUGUST 2021

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Island Chatter

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

Sarasota County’s Public Works Department’s Field Services staff installed two new bike racks in Siesta Village on June 9, Lisa Cece, special district coordinator for the county, reported.

The first was placed in front of the SunTrust bank on the east side of Ocean Boulevard, near the newspaper “condo.”

The other rack was installed at the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) bus stop on the west side of Ocean Boulevard, in front of the Whispering Sands condominium complex.

“The new five-loop bike racks match the hardscapes and will add to the future proposed new parking area,” Cece pointed out, referring to county plans to create 22 new public parking spaces within

A new bike rack is set in place in the Village. (submitted photo)

More police presence requested for Siesta Key When Sheriff Kurt Hoffman and members of his senior staff appeared before the Sarasota County Commission on June 23 for their budget presentation, Hoffman talked briefly about what he called “increased activity” on the island this year.

That was the reason, he noted, that he was asking for funding for two more deputies to assign to Siesta Key during the 2022 fiscal year, which will start on Oct. 1.

Commissioner Christian Ziegler talked about the fact that Siesta Public Beach “really drives our economic activity.”

Ziegler added that when he visits his constituents on Siesta, the need for more law Continued on next page

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.

enforcement presence “is one of the top issues that I hear.”

Ziegler holds the commission’s District 2 seat, whose boundaries include the northern part of the island.

Hoffman noted that Ziegler had called him a couple of times to voice those constituents’ concerns.

Hoffman also pointed out that he and Major Brian Woodring, the new commander of the Sheriff’s Office’s Law Enforcement Division, had met several times with representatives of Siesta organizations.

He and his wife, Hoffman continued, recently spent a weekend on Siesta. During that time, he said, he saw a deputy go by probably nine or 10 times a day — on horseback, on an all-terrain vehicle, or in an SUV.

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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

Although unrelated to the red tide conditions on the shoreline, seaweed became a problem on the Key in midJuly.

On July 13, county staff reported “large quantities of seaweed have accumulated on Siesta Key,” so workers conducted seaweed cleanup on the public beach and at the beach accesses.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s Beach Conditions Reporting System noted red macroalgae on Siesta Public Beach on July 13. Warning signs were posted

Seaweed accumulation led to a cleanup effort at the public beach. (submitted photo)

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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 #13

INTERNET / WiFi SERVICES Davidson Drugs...............................Map-D #65 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company........ Map-B #31

Seaweed cleanup needed, red tide warnings emerge

that day, but no substantial fish kill was reported.

A July 14 post on the county government Facebook page said workers removed an estimated 19 tons of seaweed and marine debris from Siesta Beach the previous day.

However, starting July 21, dead fish did begin to appear on many stretches of the beach.

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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

Nonetheless, Hoffman said, “You just don’t see the seasonal change that we used to see in Sarasota County,” noting that more visitors are present year-round.

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

FASHION & ACCESSORIES Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack........ Map-C #28 Blvd. Beachwear.................................Map-B #30 Casa Smeralda Fashion’Style............. D #12-11 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 Lilly Pulitzer.....................................Map-D #66 Sea Shanty.......................................... Map-C #24 Siesta T’s..............................................Map-B #30 The Sandal Factory............................Map-B #46

HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle Solutions ............... Map-D #10 Siesta Healing...................................... Map-D #9 Siesta Key Fitness............................ Map-B #73 Studio Yooga ................................... Map-B #51

Continued from previous page

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

DRUGSTORE Davidson Drugs...............................Map-D #65

5250 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242

AUGUST 2021

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

COFFEE SHOPS Bean Coffeehouse............................Map-D #62 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company........ Map-B #31

Daily Drink Specials

941.312.0665

Island Chatter

Continued from page 5

right-of-way on the northern end of the Village.

“Public Works is also planning a new (electric vehicle) charging station that will charge up to two vehicles, next to the ADA parking space,” as part of that plan, Cece added.

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RESTAURANTS / CAFÉS Another Broken Egg................ Map-C #54 & 55 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 Lobster Pot......................................... Map-C #23 Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company........ Map-B #31 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 IL PANCIFICO.................................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 Seafood Joint.............................Map-D #15 The Star Thai Sushi.................. Map-D #17 & 18 Village Café.......................................Map-D #14 SPAS - HAIR & BEAUTY 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

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AUGUST 2021

BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Capt. Curt’s Backroom Saloon................B-3 #7 Crescent Club.......................................... C-3 #13 Sniki Tiki....................................................B-3 #8 COFFEE SHOPS Coffee Garden................................... 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 Green Turtle Swimwear......................... C-3 #14 Key Casual Fashions............................... D-3 #17

CRESCENT BEACH SHOP INDEX

Things You Like...................................... C-3 #14 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

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Siesta Snapshots

AUGUST 2021

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Photos by Trebor Britt

“Beach Team” -- A Minnesota Thunder Academy Youth-17 soccer team took a break from a weeklong 32-team national tournament hosted by Lakewood Ranch. The 10 girls challenged the six-member coaching staff to a game of beach volleyball on Siesta Beach.

“Soccer Enthusiasts” -- Ohio State University students (from left) Jada Jenny of Cincinnati, and Sam Sheets and Camille Merimee of Cleveland, enjoy a spectacular day on Siesta Key. Sheets is studying criminology and Merimee is going to be a child life specialist. They were all amazed by the super soft white Siesta Beach sand. They all agreed, of all the beaches any had ever visited, this one is the best.

“I’m Busy” -- 2-year-old Noah of Tampa needs no help staying busy playing alone in the powdery soft white sands of Siesta Beach. It’s a perfect beach for families with young preschoolers as it deepens so gradually. Most days you can walk 10 to 30 yards from the shoreline and still only be in knee-deep water. Noah and her family were enjoying their first vacation since the pandemic.

“Wrapping it Up” -- Siesta Beach lifeguard Zak Marquez, born in Huntington Beach, California, wraps things up for the day. He began his career seven years ago when he came here for the summer lifeguard program. At the end of the program, he was offered a job. He’s always been drawn to emergency services and had a desire to contribute and be helpful to the community. Lifeguarding, Zak said, “is a great fit.”

“The Hole Beach” -- Utah Champions League soccer friends (back row, from left) Summer Connery, Kelly Bullock, Delaney Gibbons, Marianne Barber, Cortney Cobabe, (front row, in the hole) Lily James, and Margot Robbie jammed into a hole they dug by hand on Siesta Beach. The girls and their coaches are here to play in a soccer tournament hosted by Lakewood Ranch.

“Beach Shoes” -- First-time visitor Carl Thompson of Miami participates in a competitive game of horseshoes with friends on Siesta Beach. He works for a company that prints umbrellas for Starbucks, Five Guys and other retail stores and food industry companies.

“Beach Happy” -- From Left, North Carolinians Mac Koett, Blake Robertson and Jade Magestro were happy to be enjoying one of America’s best beaches. They came to Sarasota to visit several of their buddies who moved here. Koett is a retail manager, Robertson a house painter and Magestro a stylist at a hair salon in North Carolina. First-timer Koett commented, “Siesta Beach is way better than Panama City Beach.”

“Beach Set” -- Mark Kazimirov of North Port sets his partner for a spike during a pickup beach volleyball match on Siesta Beach. He and his partner planned to play in the recently canceled “Dig The Beach Volleyball Tournament.” They lost in the Men’s AA division finals in their last tournament before the pandemic.

“Gulf Wave Wash” -- From the back, friends Samantha, 9, of Parker, Colorado; Lily, 11, of Nokomis; Vanessa, 11, of Parker; and (sitting up) Brielle, 6, of Nokomis prepare for a Gulf of Mexico hair wash. Lily and Brielle moved here a month ago from Parker. Their father works in Fort Myers, but mom says it’s worth the drive to be near Siesta Beach.

“Beach Baseball” -- Alaina Damico, 11, of New Jersey smashes a double playing beach wiffleball with friends a few yards from the Gulf of Mexico shoreline on popular Siesta Beach. She plays first base on a girls all-star softball team back home. When asked whether anything unusual had ever happened to her, she remembered “I walked straight into a wall once in a pitch black room.“

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Raw Food Refresher: Change Your Dog’s Diet for Big Benefits

Paw Pals

Kyle Baker, Senior Pet Food Nutritionist at DOGPerfect If you’re a regular reader here, no doubt you’ve seen us talk about the tremendous benefits a raw diet can have for your pup. Yes, dogs are omnivores, and supplementing your dog’s diet with plantbased options is fine. But in the short and long term, there’s no substitute to the health advantages of a raw diet.

As genetic descendants of wolves, dogs are equipped to digest animal flesh and bone. Their carnivorous roots are so significant, in fact, that without raw food they’ll not only miss out on benefits but also suffer from nutritional deficiencies that can lead to a host of health issues.

Let’s revisit the raw diet and take a deeper dive into how it can enhance your dog’s health.

Defining a Raw Diet A raw food diet, very simply, consists primarily of raw uncooked food. Though raw recipes vary, common ingredients like muscle, organs, bone, raw eggs, and dogfriendly fruits and vegetables can create clean, hearty meals for your pup.

This dietary structure allows your dog to access nutrients more easily through digestible, real foods while avoiding the kinds of sugars and chemicals typically found in processed foods. It also gives you, the pet parent, a great deal more control over what your dog is consuming.

Digestion and Raw Food Again, the key thing to consider when choosing your dog’s diet is nutrition, and going with a raw food diet will allow your dog to process nutrients as intended by taking advantage of natural canine digestive physiology.

Dogs don’t possess the enzymes required to begin breaking down carbohydrates in their mouth — the kinds of carbs found in kibble and many processed foods.

Plus, dogs’ stomachs are highly acidic which allows them to take on the bacteria found in meat. So, naturally, the reduced ingredient load, calorie density, and high bioavailability of a raw diet lets dogs absorb nutrients more effectively and efficiently.

With this superior digestibility, your

dog can make the most of every meal’s available vitamins and nutrients. This boost in nutrient intake increases energy and improves immune function over time, reducing the risk of ailments and diseases as dogs age.

Additionally, without the presence of indigestible fiber or excess carbs they can eliminate waste with less work more consistently, while also strengthening their anal glands thanks to firmer stools.

Hydration, Dental Health and More Apart from the notable nutritional benefits, there are a number of additional positive outcomes of a raw diet, starting with hydration.

Kibble focused plans and other dry diets can leave your dog dehydrated, leading to reduced digestive function, slower waste removal, and potentially recurring urinary infections and crystals. The higher moisture content of raw food dilutes urine allowing your dog to more frequently and easily flush toxins and maintain healthy urinary function.

This added hydration is advantageous both inside and out, as a moisture-rich raw diet aids natural oil production that supports the life cycle of healthy skin and fur. In fact, one of the first things pet parents notice after switching their dog to raw food is how great they look.

Natural, problem-solving components — like amino acids that support cellular protein function and enzymes that aid cellular regeneration and intra-cellular hydration — help promote healthier skin and fur and minimize allergic reactions.

With healthier skin and fur, you’ll also notice a reduction in dry skin and shedding, another welcome benefit that your pup — and vacuum — will love.

Raw food can also improve your pup’s smile. The combination of enzymes from raw meat and a little healthy friction as your dog chomps tasty meat and bones can help combat oral bacteria, reduce plaque and tartar build-up, cut down on potential dental infections, and even give your pup fresher breath.

Selecting a Raw Diet While there’s no debating the benefits of going raw, there are still a few things to keep in mind — specifically, which type of raw diet is best for you and your pup?

Depending on your lifestyle, you could opt for a homemade diet. Just be sure ingredients achieve nutritional benchmarks and don’t forget to address logistics, as raw food requires more time, prep, and cleanup, plus proper cold storage. If you don’t have that kind of bandwidth, commercial options — though costly — are great, with proper prep, nutrition, and logistics largely addressed for you. Or, a combined homemade-commercial plan could be the right move.

Meet Cooper

A 3-year-old black lab mix who was rescued in Tampa, Cooper is enjoying life in the Pine Shores Estates neighborhood off Stickney Point Road.

Pool swimming is at the top of his activity list, as is rooting for the Chicago Bears. He sees a Super Bowl appearance for the team this year, his Illinois-native owner says.

(Submit your Paw Pal to the Siesta Sand at info@27statemedia.com.)

Kyle Baker, senior pet food nutritionist at DOGPerfect, has a passion for educating pet parents on the power of nutrition and how it can improve their pet’s lives with proper food, supplements and treats. DOGPerfect is a locally owned and operated pet supply store with locations in The Landings, University Park, and Lakewood Ranch. Visit www.DOGPerfect.com for more information and to sign-up for a free one-on-one nutrition consult with Kyle.

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Mote personnel move turtle nest from North Beach Road Quite a bit of buzz was generated on June 23 by the discovery of a sea turtle nest near Beach Access 2 on North Beach Road.

Sarasota County Communications Department staff members indicated that they had received calls about whether county workers would install

protective turtle netting in the area.

The Communications Department advisory explained, “Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Mote) holds several permits related to sea turtles,” as authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. “These permits give Mote the authority

Trespass signs

Continued from page 4

The memo added, “The privately installed signs declaring certain areas to be ‘private’ have caused many complaints to the county from members of the public visiting beaches.”

Then, referencing the April 15 staff report, the memo said, “While the county may not prohibit these types of signs (as a result of a 2017 court case involving Walton County, in the panhandle), the county may wish to initiate an amendment to the sign regulations

in order to minimize adverse impacts on both property owners and visitors and in order to prevent a proliferation of privatelyinstalled signage on beaches in a haphazard, misleading or dangerous manner.”

The staff memo also pointed out that a second hearing would be needed on the proposed ordinance. That tentatively has been set for Sept. 21, the memo added.

The draft ordinance addresses

to conduct nesting surveys, mark, protect, or relocate sea turtle nests, among other activities authorized by the state. The county does not hold these same permits.”

As it turned out, Mote did relocate that nest. That action took place the same day the nest was discovered, Mote public relations

manager Stephannie Kettle said.

The county Communications Department advisory did provide details that the general public may not know about sea turtle protection. It explained that Sarasota County, Mote, and Conservation Commission each has different responsibilities when

it comes to sea turtles.

“When deemed appropriate, and in coordination with Mote and with the relevant state authorizations, the county Public Works staff has installed protective screening within the public Beach Road right-of-way,” the advisory said.

the following: • The number of signs that can be allowed on the beach: No more than four could be used, with one extra sign permitted for every 500 feet of property boundary.

• The size of the signs.

• The height of the signs. (The maximum in an open use or residential zoning district would be 6 feet; for non-residential districts, 15 feet.)

• The distance between signs.

• The length of time the signs

could stay in place.

• The portability of the signs.

Further, the draft ordinance calls for the removal of signs from the beach from dusk to dawn during sea turtle nesting and hatchling season. The draft also says the total area of all signs on a specific piece of property can be no greater than 16 square feet in a residential district, 32 square feet in an open use district, and 80 square feet in non-residential districts.

“Additionally,” the draft ordinance points out, “a post-andrope, post-and-chain, or similar type system is considered to be a fence. Therefore, any post-andrope, post-and-chain, or similar type system, whether anchored on a temporary or permanent basis, located seaward of (the Gulf Beach Setback Line and the Barrier Island Pass Twenty-Year Hazard Line) shall not be erected without obtaining a coastal setback variance.”

interpretation.

Yet, “Isn’t that the problem?”

Planning Commissioner Kevin Cooper of Sarasota asked. “You’ve got a lot of debate over who owns the beach. You’ve got the mean high water line.”

He was referring to state law that says the public portion of a shoreline is the “wet beach” area.

“Are we really solving any problem here?” Cooper continued.

“Ultimately, do we need to decide who owns the beach and who doesn’t own the beach? … When is that conversation?”

Moye replied that the proposed ordinance is directed at persons who own private beach property, who can demonstrate that with a survey.

Moye added that part of the problem is “Where is that line (between private and public beach property)?”

However, he pointed out, one key concern for staff was how many signs persons can post.

“Right now, they’re putting (up) unlimited signs. We can’t say ‘No.’” That was the primary impetus for the ordinance, Moye said. It will limit the number of signs allowed.

Assistant County Attorney David Pearce also mentioned the aesthetics issues behind the proposed new regulations.

With no members of the public present to offer remarks, the hearing was closed.

Planning Commissioner Andrew Stultz made the motion to recommend that the County Commission approve the draft ordinance, as written, and Benson seconded it.

Without further remarks from a board member, the motion passed unanimously.

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Planning Commission recommends approval of changes On July 1, the county’s Planning Commission members voted 9-0 to recommend that the County Commission approve the proposed ordinance.

During their hearing, they did engage in debate over some facets of the issue of private versus public beach.

Planning Commissioner Laura Benson of Venice emphasized that persons who just want to keep people from crossing a public beach near their homes would not be allowed to erect signs, as she understood the ordinance when she read it.

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Spa Experience Siesta Key Continues to Expand Spa Experience Siesta Key newly relocated at 5700 Midnight Pass Road, Suite B (on second floor) continues to expand the spa’s facilities, its vaiety of services and treatments, and staff member.

In addition to a full complement of facial treatments, massages, and Reiki, a Japanese healing technique, Spa Experience Siesta Key has expanded its services to include acupuncture and cupping treatments. Our new services include oncology massage, geriatric massage, medical massage including cupping and acupuncture.

We a re happy to a n nou nce the addition of a second couples massage room to the spa. In addition to the couple’s massage rooms, the spa has three private rooms that are tastefully decorated lending to a relaxing professional environment.

Connie Lewis, longtime Siesta Key resident and owner of Spa Experience Siesta Key, has been a part of the local wellness community for more than 25 years. After graduating from the esteemed Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, Massachusetts in January 1994, Connie moved to Sarasota to continue her career in massage therapy. In 1996, she established Massage Experience Siesta Key in June of 1996. Seeking to expand her professional areas of expertise and education Connie attended and graduated from the Fashion Focus Hair Academy with a facial specialist certification and aesthetics in 2004.

Connie then evolved Massage Experience Siesta Key into Spa Experience Siesta Key. Connie and her staff have created a professional space that is both tranquil and relaxing for unwinding while on a vacation or a “staycation”. The spa has become a “must do” for visitors from all over the world and locals alike, earning a 5-Star Certificate of

Excellence and a 5-Star Rating on the popular travel site Trip Advisor for multiple years. Now at her new location, Connie has created a tranquil private space to relax and enjoy a rich mix of spa services.

Meet the Staff

Connie Lewis (LMT/ Aest he t ic i a n , Spa D i r e c t or, MA17596), has specialized for over 25 years in therapeutic offers the on ly microcurrent, facial sculpting. This treatment in noninvasive, relaxing, and shows results after one treatment. She also combines her facial treatments with therapeutic and relaxing massages.

She has been practicing for almost 30 years and is passionate about helping people feel better and soothing her clients. Connie is recently certified in cupping, an ancient massage technique.

Michelle Shaw (LMT, MA 96358), has been practicing body and energy work for the past eight years.

Her passion is helping her clients break free from pain from over use or sport injuries. Michelle has a vast knowledge of human anatomy allowing focus on specific muscle groups allowing her clients to be pain free. Michelle also uses her training in both Neuromuscular Therapy and Thai Yoga Massage, to bring her clients outstanding results in improving their flexibility.

M a r i k a D o v i a k ( L M T, Acupuncture Physician, MA 96496), is a UK transplant who settled in the US after spending time living and traveling in Central & South America. Witnessing other cultures and the way folk medicine was used, heavily influenced her interest in alternative medicine. In 2007, she relocated to San Diego, CA, and began training in massage therapy.

While in school she secured an assistant position in an acupuncture clinic where she ended up working

Spa Experience Siesta Key Team: (Left to Right ) Matt Love, Michelle Shaw, Connie Lewis, Marika Doviak, and Kelly Jurik for four years. It was here she was exposed to the benefits of acupuncture and the healing role the staff & clinic had in the community. She went on to study a master’s program of Chinese medicine & acupuncture at the Pacific College of Health & Science, CA. She can help with a wide range of medical conditions including, but not li m ited to, i m mu ne, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, circulatory, genitourinary, and endocrine.

Marika is trained in Microneedling wh ich is a wonderful, toxinfree, way to boost skin collagen production, improving skin tone & texture, helping you look and feel your best.

Indya Liverpool (LMT, MA 84565), is from Long Island, NY, at tended Daytona College i n Ormond Beach for Therapeutic Massage and graduated in 2016.

Indya has a passion for therapeutic healing and helping others. She has worked extensively with the elder and her specialty is soothing deep tissue work and oncology massage.

Matt Love (LMT, MA 97160),

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Matt is an adventurous person and likes fishing, backpacking, skydiving, and rock climbing.

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Siesta Sand

AUGUST 2021

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Fishing fundraiser

Palm tree crusaders Visiting from Youngstown, Ohio, Cameron Wyant and some buds fought off the rain delivered by Tropical Storm Elsa for some beach adventures that brought them at the feet of a dislodged, washed-up palm tree. They found it about 9 p.m. July 7.

“We found a group of about 12 people surrounded the tree. Thinking of ideas, one yells out ‘Bury the tree!’

So we did,” Wyant said.

“The next day it fell, but we didn’t stop there. On July 8, around 10 p.m. we visited the tree and by our surprise we had many more supporters, including the helpers from the previous night. They were lifting and decorating the tree. We even had people cheering us on from the condos along the beach!” (submitted photos)

Word Search WORD LIST

Awning Basement Boondocking Chassis Coach Dooley Dump Station Exhaust Brake Folding Trailer Galley Hauler Back Inverter Leveling Jack Motor Home Recreational Vehicle Tent Camper Toad Tongue Jack Toy Hauler Truck Camper

Answers on Page 39

RVTerms

Continued from page 12

Steakhouse for hosting Friday night’s captain’s meeting.

“We’re grateful to our brewery partners Big Top Brewery, Brew Life and Calusa Brewery, as well as our media partner ABC7 Sarasota, who will air a public service announcement about the tournament on their station as they did last year.

“We also thank the legendary sportscaster Dick Vitale, whom we hope to have with us on that Saturday, for creating a YouTube video about our event. Sponsorship opportunities are available and we welcome raffle items as well as financial contributions.”

The entry fee for the Casting for the Kids tournament is $125 per angler or $400 per vessel, with four participating anglers on-board. An additional fee of $50 per person will be charged for boats with up to six people. A full 100% of funds raised will benefit local families who are struggling to care for a child with cancer.

All entry fees and donations are tax deductible through the Dancing with Clayton Foundation, a 301(c)(3) organization.

A first prize of $2,000 will be awarded along with monetary prizes for the longest snook, redfish, trout and mangrove snapper in the “Slam” category.

Calcutta prizes will be awarded for the total length of up to three redfish, snook and trout. Photos of all fish must be submitted to tournament organizers no later than 3 p.m. on Saturday.

For information on sponsorship opportunities,

Saba Sands

www.siestasand.us

Above, community spirit is on display for an important cause. Below, team Danger Ranger took top honors at last year’s tournament. (submitted photos)

to volunteer, and to sign up to participate, visit the foundation on Facebook or at DancingwithClayton. com.

To learn more, send an email to: Castingforthekids@gmail.com Pre-registration can be submitted by email with the captain’s name, team name and names of the anglers on the boat to: Castingforthekids@gmail. com.

On-site registration for the competition will take place at the captain’s meeting. Credit cards, checks and cash will be accepted.

Continued from page 15

Saba Sands’ representative during that hearing, attorney Stephen Rees of the Icard Merrill firm in Sarasota, pointed out that two parcels Saba Sands owns seaward of the existing single-family house would remain in their natural state.

However, Commissioner Nancy Detert voiced concern that if the board approved the coastal setback variance petition, that would set “a horrible precedent.”

Saba Sands had cited the “unity of title,” combining those two more seaward lots —which are protected by a conservation easement — with the two lots on which the single-family home stands, in contending that the allowable density for the new construction would be 11 dwelling units.

Referring to other Beach Road property owners, Detert asked Berna, the Environmental Permitting manager, “Do they own their lots in front that probably used to be underwater and now through accretion have sand? Couldn’t they do the exact same thing (as Saba Sands desired)?

Or at least ask permission to do it?”

“I imagine they might be able to ask,” Berna replied, as some Beach Road property owners do have undeveloped lots seaward of the county’s Tenacity Lane right of way that are not protected by conservation easements. Construction is not allowed on those easements, he noted.

“Can you in good conscience say (that the owners of the 636 Beach Rd. parcel) would absolutely be the only [ones] out of this group to do that, ever?” Detert asked, referring to the application for the variance.

“I can’t make that definitive statement,”

Berna told her.

Following the formal, published denial of the variance petition, Saba Sands filed a claim under the guidelines of the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act (FLUEDRA). Referencing state law, Sarasota attorney William Saba, principal of Saba Sands, claimed that, in denying his petition last year, the commissioners inordinately restricted his use of the property located at 636 Beach Rd. In his ruling in the FLUEDRA case, special magistrate Tinkler pointed to Section 54 of the County Code, which “prohibits construction or excavation activities seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line and waterward of the Barrier Island Pass Twenty-Year Hazard Line except as otherwise permitted by the code.

The code, in part, permits reconstruction of existing homes through a conditional exception permit process.”

Ultimately, Tinkler ruled that the commissioners’ denial of the Saba Sands petition did not appear to be unreasonable or unfair.

In its new application, Saba Sands contends, “Since 1999, there has occurred substantial accretion of the Beach.” It also says that the undeveloped lots seaward of the house at 636 Beach Rd. have come to comprise “a habitat dune system.”

Further, it points out, the mean high water line is about 859 feet seaward of the proposed site of the new construction. In 1998, the two lots on which the existing house stands were approximately 400 feet landward of the mean high water line.

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Off Key!

AUGUST 2021

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By Robert Frederickson

From aerial assaults to bullies paid off?

Elsa’s unexpected toll ...

W

ell, the first hurricane of the season blew by just after Independence Day, thankfully delivering only a glancing blow to the area. Still, as is often the case with predictions and forecasts made in this life, danger and misfortune often arrive from unexpected directions. Just ask the many folks in North Port who had to deal with rising water threatening their homes as 10-plus inches of rainwater slowly rolled down the Myakka watershed on its way to Charlotte Harbor well after the storm had left the area.

Then there was my own home where I awoke the morning after the storm to the clash and clatter of a full-fledged, adrenaline-fueled battle royal unfolding in the kitchen. It involved my bride fully engaged with a squadron of divebombing yellow jackets that had somehow gained entry into our modest abode. Brave soldier that she is, she had already dispatched three of the fiends by using the flatbottomed end of a Swifter mop to pin the offending devils up against the wall.

But several more members of the squadron were regrouping high above at altitudes beyond even our Swifter-enhanced reach. They were circling in the upper reaches of the cutouts for the skylights in the living room, employing a strategy used by some of the greatest pilots in the annals of aerial combat: preparing to attack out of the sun to blind their foe ... But a ladder

brought up to the front line from the rear (that being the garage) quickly broke their advantage and finally, the battle was won, Or so we thought ... but no, a few minutes later, another fighter appeared on the horizon.

“What the heck is going on here?” the bride exclaimed (not her exact words, as some reading this who know the woman will have already surmised).

But this intruder soon augured in as well and we finally had a moment to reflect on just how the squadron had been able to penetrate our (presumed) restricted air space.

I figured it must have something to do with the storm. So I stepped out onto the second story deck off the kitchen and looked at the rear of the house to see if a falling limb or some other debris had compromised a wall or the roof.

Nothing. Then it dawned on me: I had brought in the patio furniture and a tall pedestal fan that had been out on the deck as directed

by Steve Jerve and every other weatherman within earshot. I had placed the fan just inside the sliding glass door near the kitchen, since the garage (on the opposite side of the house) was already full. Now, as I examined the fan’s insides I saw it: hidden behind one of the blades: a 5-inch wide yellow jacket nest with about 15 or 20 bees milling about, ready to avenge their fallen comrades. It turns out we hadn’t used the fan since the previous fall, so the bees had plenty of time to build their nest undisturbed by spinning fan blades.

My wife opened the sliding glass door and I slowly moved the fan and its passengers back out onto the deck.

Peace and plenty had again returned to the land we call home.

But a valuable lesson had been learned, or perhaps re-learned: All security is an illusion.

Ohh, and another thing: Check for wasp or yellow jacket nests before listening to the weather guy and bringing in you’re lawn furniture.

Lightning strikes ... twice!

Well, Sarasota resident and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has done it again: His franchise has one its third Stanley Cup, with the last two coming back-to-back, a testament to the team’s recent dominance.

A boat parade down the Hillsborough River in Tampa to celebrate the Lightning victory was the third such celebration hosted

by Tampa in the past year, the last coming in February after the Bucs won the Super Bowl. You may remember QB Tom Brady tossing the championship trophy from his boat to another on that occasion, something he blamed on too much Avocado Tequila.

No such trophy toss occurred this time around, perhaps due to the size differential. The Lombardi Trophy weighs in at about 7 pounds while the Stanley Cup tips the scale at a formidable 35.

Why so large? Well, since 1925 every member of every team that has won the trophy has had their name engraved on the cup, meaning every decade or so another ring has to be added to accommodate the ever-increasing list of names.

Now that’s a trophy to be admired.

Off Key irony of the day

Cuban protesters have taken to

the streets across the island nation recently in a push for greater freedom. Many in the crowds have been seen waving American flags.

Meantime leftists in this country wear Che Guevara T-shirts and denigrate that same flag, calling it a symbol of oppression. Ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kapernick even showed up to a press conference wearing a shirt emblazoned with Fidel Castro’s visage screen-printed on the front a while back.

My idea? How about a permanent citizen exchange program?

Billion-dollar bully?

Many small businesses, both here in southwest Florida and across the nation at large, have complained about what they see as strong-arm sales tactics used by the internet review firm Yelp in their advertising sales efforts.

There’s a documentary on the subject with the title “Billion Dollar Bully.” It seeks to explain the business model Yelp allegedly employs through the words of small business owners who have dealt with the company and its sales pitches, which one business owner featured in the film compares to a thug walking in the door and saying “Nice business you’ve got here ... It would be a shame if something happened to it.”

Those interviewed tell remarkably similar stories.

Basically they describe a pattern whereafter declining a Yelp sales associate’s initial advertising solicitation, the reviews posted to their businesses’ Yelp pages suddenly shift, taking on a decidedly more negative cast.

Newer, less flattering reviews get highlighted on the most prominent

portion of their Yelp pages with older, more positive ones get filtered out of the overall rating the businesses receive.

A few days later the owners say they receive a follow-up call from their Yelp rep promising help “cleaning up” their reviews ... if they agree to sign up for one of the company’s advertising packages.

Even worse, the documentary shows individual business owners recounting their inability to opt out of Yelp by taking down their Yelp pages. Those pages belong to Yelp it turns out, not the businesses to which they point.

Those who have tried to sue say they quickly learn about the archaic Section 230 law passed

by Congress in 1996 to protect internet companies from being sued over the content they pass along to the public ... protections that don’t exist for more traditional news and information outlets like this newspaper that must fairly consider what they report or suffer the consequences.

The Section 230 rules are the same ones that allow companies like Twitter and Facebook to cancel users or delete content that expresses views and opinions not in keeping with their own corporate or political self-interest.

Ironically, the Section 230 rules were part of a bill named “The Communication Decency Act.” I recommend the documentary to anyone with an interest in this subject. I’ve heard of at least one local business having issues with Yelp and suspect there may be many more. If you have an experience you’d like to share -good or bad -- feel free to reach out to me through the Siesta Sand.

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Arts on the Horizon By Rodger Skidmore

The 3-Ring Circus is back

T

he 3-Ring Circus was a big deal 50 years ago.

There were so many acts that John Ringling’s circus had three different performances going on at the same time in order to fit everything in before you left the tent.

In New York’s Madison Square Garden, the tent was actually large tent-shaped drapes up near the ceiling, providing a more circus-y atmosphere. There might be an animal act (lions, tigers, or elephants) in one ring, the second containing trapeze artists leaping toward each other while in midair, and three or four jugglers in the third.

A big show, high drama, and hundreds of circus hands all working to entertain you.

The opposite of that was the small one-ring circus that was prevalent in Europe at that time.

The woman who sold you your ticket later was the girl on the flying trapeze. The man selling popcorn or cotton candy during intermission was the juggler in the first half of the show and the dog trainer in the second.

A truly family affair, in that one family ran the show and many families attended. And with only one thing going on at a time, in a small tent where the first row actually was ringside, you could really focus on what was happening. While some snobs might have looked down upon circus performers, when you were packed into a small tent, you certainly looked up to the highwire artists, as they were directly

Incorporation

overhead, not two sections over.

Through Aug. 14 the Summer Circus Spectacular is back again at the Historic Asolo Theatre, right on the grounds of the Ringling Museum. Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory not only conserves by teaching circus routines to young budding performers at the Sailor Circus Academy, but by bringing great acts each year to Sarasota. They rekindle old memories while generating new ones for you, your children, and your grandchildren.

High on the list of circuses that people love is Cirque Du Soleil, and one of the stars from two of their productions will be a daring highlight of the Summer Circus Spectacular. Darren Trull has performed on those tall swaying poles, on the gyroscopic wheel, and on that crazy thing -- the Russian Swing (imagine you are on a playground swing and you jump off while it is at its highest point -- and then you do your routine -- wow!).

In August he will be doing his strap act. He is not strapped down, rather he is strapped up -- up in the air, covered in straps -- and then he lets go.

He and all the other performers go through their routines twice daily.

If this summer extravaganza is the first ring, the second ring of this three-ring circus is the Circus Museum. Here, in all its multiple glories, is the history of the Ringling, and other, circuses.

The posters, banners, animal wagons, clown cars, train car, and costumes.

And if those are the first two rings, the third surely is the Tibbals Learning Center. It is called a learning center because you will

Feeding the flamingos is fair game at Jungle Gardens. (submitted photo)

be able to see what a full-scale circus actually was like -- from dawn till dusk. When you enter the building, you will pass the train yards where the circus is unloading at daybreak. As the dim light brightens you will see the roustabouts setting up the tents and the performers having breakfast.

Climbing an open-sided stair permits you to see the circus grounds from another side and then from above -- a true bird’s eye view of a 1920s Ringling circus in miniature (3/4-inch to 1 foot).

Also on the second floor is a series (again in miniature) of circus wagons, performers, and clowns on parade, in their gorgeous and outrageous costumes.

Info at Ringling.org.

Snakes on a plane

That horror (horrible?) movie was not based on a novel of the same name, but simply in answer to a question some film writers asked: “What is the worst thing that could happen on a plane?”

That answer spawned the movie.

People are fascinated by snakes,

possibly because they fear them, or perhaps because of that book about a snake and an apple (not the cookbook version).

Many large zoos have a snake exhibition. It is usually dimly lit (snakes like it that way) so your eyes have to adjust to see them.

And, of course, when walking through the wrong part of the woods, that is exactly why you don’t see them. Down in the Everglades, even the very large ones are extremely hard to spot as they are low to the ground and the grass is a bit high. Even the raccoons, possums, frogs, and other small creatures that live there (or used to) don’t see them, except from the inside.

So, where can you view really large snakes that aren’t slithering around your feet during takeoff -and maybe even pet one?

Why right here in Sarasota, at Jungle Gardens. There is no movie called Skunks on a plane, but people tend to have an aversion to them also -- unless they have been de-phewed, like the ones at Jungle Gardens. Without their aromatic defense mechanism, they are as tame as kittens, and just as cute.

The flamingos aren’t cute, but are more majestic and noble and, because of the way they strut around, a bit aloof looking. But don’t let looks deceive you, they are always looking for a handout.

At the garden there is a petting zoo with goats, etc. Around Florida one sees many signs that say “Don’t Feed the Alligators,” but here it is OK to do so as they aren’t allowed to eat any of the other animal attractions. There are also four different shows spaced throughout the day, from jungle birds to yes, the snakes.

Info: sarasotajunglegardens.com.

Don’t just see and hear -- do!

Performances by the Key Chorale don’t start until the end of September. Who will be performing in that August group?

Perhaps you. Maybe you. Why not you?

Auditions are being held for experienced choral singers on Aug. 28 and Sept. 11. They have more than 100 singers, so you might just blend in.

More info at Keychorale.org.

Making a splash

There are lots of pools in Sarasota and with the August heat that’s what many of us do every day.

Jackson Pollack also made quite a few splashes, but of a different kind -- paint on canvas.

So, whether you prefer splashes, daubs, scrapes, or fine and broad strokes, there is a Sarasota modern art show for you to enjoy. The MARA Art Studio + Gallery is hosting an exhibit called WOMXN: Together for Art. There are strong paintings by Grace Howl (Hometown), Mara Torres González (The Sun Will Rise Again), Midge Johnson (Quiet in the Mountains), and six other local artists.

The exhibit opened in July and will continue on into August.

Info: Marastudiogallery.com.

Several painters are making a splash at the MARA Art Studio + Gallery. (photo courtesy of the studio)

Continued from page 1

city attorney for Sanibel and Naples and former interim city attorney for a newly incorporated Bonita Springs, where he helped it in its inception efforts. He assisted in the incorporation of Fort Myers Beach as well, and has created charters for two new fire districts.

“It is looking like we will make our deadline,” Jackson said of the Sept. 1 due date for all documents to arrive in Tallahassee. The Legislature will begin sessions in January and, if it approves Save

Siesta Key’s application by special act, the final determination will come back to local voters in the form of a referendum that requires a majority approval.

Regarding fundraising, the group as of July 20 had collected $83,200 via 115 donations toward its $125,000 goal.

Jackson is asking that people complete a second “Community Voice” survey in order to give her group further direction. Visit savesiestakey.org/survey2.

Furthermore, petitions can be downloaded

from the web page. The group’s goal is to have 2,000 of them, and they must be signed by hand.

“We hope to show overwhelming support to our Legislature,” Jackson said of the lofty goal.

Petitions can be delivered to either Davidson’s Drugs locations on the Key (Village or Southbridge Mall) or mailed to P.O. Box 35214, Sarasota, FL 34242.

On July 22, Marsha Segal-George and John Gucciardo spoke at a third public meeting on

the topic of “Government Lite” -- a concept of outsourcing many services despite being a municipality. They applied it while serving as the first city manager and deputy city manager, respectively, of Fort Myers Beach starting in 1995.

At 7 p.m. on Aug. 18, Underwood will share his feasibility study at a fourth public meeting, held at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave. All meetings can also be viewed on the Save Siesta Key YouTube channel.

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Sandventure Crew

AUGUST 2021

In November of 2010, the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition was born. Wiggelsworth invited master sculptors from all around the globe — Italy, Spain, Russia, Singapore, South Korea — to compete creating sand sculptures between eight and 10 feet tall. Wiggelsworth and his team would create a 250-ton sculpture as a centerpiece for the event.

After cancelling last year due to COVID-19, this year’s Crystal Classic will take place Nov. 12 to 15. Wiggelsworth has stepped down from running things; instead, he’ll be competing.

In the meantime, working with families brings the art form down to scale. The Sandventure Crew brings all the buckets, tools and shovels needed to meet their clients on the beach. During two-and-a-half hours, an expert sand sculptor teaches the family the basics of sand sculpting and guides them through the creation of their very own work of art.

Wiggelsworth teaches “two secrets to sand sculpting: water and compression,” he said.

“You have to add as much water to the sand as possible. Water is our glue. Then compress it. We stomp it with our feet or use a tamper.

Compression causes the water to stay in the sand longer.” Then they build a sandcastle together, with the clientele doing most of the work.

In the end, they will have created a sculpture that is “postcard worthy,” he said.

But does it bother him to put so much work into something that won’t last?

“Not at all,” he said. “We know it’s an ephemeral art form. We like to compare it to a Thanksgiving dinner: You work all day on it, and then everybody sits down and enjoys it. We’ve had sculptures we’ve built, and then kids destroy it immediately. For us, it’s just a chance to do it again.”

To inquire about the business, visit sandventurecrew.com or call (725) 500-7263.

The Daiquiri Deck at the south part of the Key flew some giant American flags leading up to, and during, the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, the rains that came the next day forced the staff to remove them. (photos by John Morton)

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE THURSDAY

BLASE CAFÉ In the Village | 941-349-9822

Jamie Tremps: 7-10 PM

Zack Yoder: 7-10 PM

Chris Connolly: 7-10 PM

Josh Lacey (8/5 8/12) Indiglow (8/19, 26) 7-10 PM ,

GILLIGAN’S ISLAND BAR & RESTAURANT In the Village | 941-326-8122

Rodney Shenk: 6-10 PM

RPM LIVE: 6-10 PM

Mike Tozier OR Deven Starr 6-10 PM

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RPM LIVE 6-10 PM

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Zack Yoder Group: 7-10 PM

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

John Whiteleather Band: 7-10 PM

Ron Kraemer: 7-10 PM

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(8/21 8/28)

Ketel of Fish (8/27): 6 PM DJ Kkonn: 10 PM

Yoder & Donadi: 1 PM DJ Kkonn: 10 PM

Tracy Zito & Matt Forde (8/5) Deep Blu (8/12, 26) Matt Forde & Bri Rivera (8/19) 7-10 PM

Tracy Zito & Matt Forde 7-10 PM

Ben Barbel (8/7) Bittersweet Saloon (8/28) 7-10 PM

1-5 PM 7-11 PM

2-6 PM 8-Midnight

11 AM – 2 PM 3-7 PM 8-Midnight

10 AM - 1 PM 7-11 PM

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Adam Stackpole (8/4) Taylor & Taylor (8/11, 25) 7-10 PM

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Adam Stackpole: 7-10 PM

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CRESCENT CLUB 941-217-6837

Ron Kraemer (8/2) Audio Orchid (8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30) 7-10 PM

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All decked out

Continued from page 21

A happy customer enjoys her new sand castle, thnaks to some help from the Sandventure Crew. The service supplies the buckets, tools, shovels, and lots of know-how. (submitted photo)

27th State Media LLC

Deep Blu: 7-10 PM

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

1-5 PM 7-11 PM

1-5 PM 7-11 PM

1-5 PM 7-11 PM

THE COTTAGE In the Village | 941-312-9300

6-9 PM

6-9 PM

6-9 PM

6:30-9:30 PM

6:30-9:30 PM

6:30-9:30 PM

6-9 PM

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

6-9 PM

6-9 PM

6-9 PM

1-4 PM 4:30-7:30 PM 8:30 PM-Midnight

1-4 PM 4:30-7:30 PM 8:30 PM-Midnight

1-4 PM 4:30-7:30 PM 8:30 PM-Midnight

Noon-3 PM 3:00-6:00 PM 6-10 PM

SNIKI TIKI @ CAPT CURTS Crescent Beach Shops | 941-349-3885

6-10 PM

6-10 PM

6-10 PM

6-10 PM

6-10 PM

6-10 PM

6-10 PM

6-9 PM

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TURTLE BEACH GRILL Southern end of SK | 941-349-2280

5-9 PM

5-10 PM

5-10 PM

5-9 PM

SAND DOLLAR POOL BAR 6600 S. Tamiami Trl. | 941-924-4900

5-8 PM

5-8 PM

5-8 PM

3-7 PM

3-7 PM

SPEARFISH SIESTA GRILLE Southern end of SK | 941-349-1971

CASEY KEY FISH HOUSE 801 Blackburn Pt. Rd, | 941-966-1901

3-7 PM

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Siesta Sand

AUGUST 2021

941.312.0665

What’s new ... beyond the bridges

t’s August and the kids will head back to school this month, but we still have many long summer days ahead.

When a welcome evening breeze slips in to end our warm days, one of the best things to do is to treat yourself to a delicious cup or cone of frozen yogurt or ice cream.

In Gulf Gate, The Skinny Dip at 6616 Gateway Ave. is a great new frozen yogurt outpost. It’s only steps away from the Off the Hook

restaurant and directly across the street from the Sarasota Brewing Company. If you love frozen yogurt, this is your new go-to place.

Skinny Dip’s yogurt flavors include Banana Pudding, Cookies and Cream, Double Dutch Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Pistachio, Raspberry Sorbet, Southern Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean made with almond milk and West Coast Tart. Enjoy your cool treat in a cup or a waffle cone, or

By Jane Bartnett try one of their delicious bubble waffles.

There’s also a large selection of delectable toppings to choose from.

If you’re a smoothie fan, The Skinny Dip has you covered.

Check it out on Facebook and look for its posts about new toppings such as vegan lactose- and fat-free strawberry taffy sorbet.

The Skinny Dip is open daily from 1 to 9 p.m. It’s the perfect place to visit during the day for an afternoon pick-me-up or for dessert after visiting one Gulf Gate’s many top dining spots.

Every second Wednesday in August a yoga gathering is planned for the heart of St. Armand’s Circle.

Meanwhile, the first Tuesday of the month will feature musicians at various spots on the circle. (photos courtesy of St. Armand’s Circle Association)

HAPPY HOUR 4pm-6:30pm Happy Hour Food & Cocktails MONDAY PRIX-FIXE MENU 3 Course Menu for $22 — Every Monday OPA WEDNESDAY! Saganaki Opa! Appetizer $7 WINE THURSDAY 1/2 Off Bottles of Wine HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday 11:30 - 9 | Friday & Saturday 11:30 - 10 | Sunday 11:30-8

Gift Certificates available

www.siestasand.us

UNIVERSITY PARK

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While Sarasota is in its “off season” mode, why not take an afternoon or evening to explore some of the places that will draw big crowds in the cooler months ahead. As we celebrate Sarasota County’s 100th birthday, the historic St. Armand’s Circle is a great place to rediscover if you haven’t been there in a while.

With 138 stores and restaurants there’s lots to do at any time of the day or evening. Over the past few months, the St. Armand’s Circle Association has been busy preparing a number of exciting Summer treats at The Skinny Dip and fun events for the summer are worthy of a cherry on top. (photo called “Sol of the Circle.” courtesy of The Skinny Dip) On the first Tuesday of every month, “Songs on the Circle” will held in the Marcy and Michael feature musicians stationed at Klein Plaza from 6 to 8 p.m. For different places around the circle more details on the artists who will performing for your enjoyment. be performing that night, check the Every second Wednesday of the museum’s Facebook page. Tickets month, “Breathe: A Summer Yoga are $5 for museum members and Series,” is planned. Bring your yoga $10 for non-members. Visit the mat and find your Zen with a local museum on the last Sunday of yoga instructor, from 6 to 7 p.m. the month and your admission Family Day events are also on is free. All active military and the calendar for Sunday, Aug. 29, their families with military ID are and Saturday, Sept. 25, with fun invited to visit the Sarasota Art activities for kids of all ages from Museum and enjoy complimentary 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. admission through Labor Day. And, don’t miss the Ladies The museum, located at 1001 Day/Night event on Thursday, S. Tamiami Tr., is open Monday, Aug. 19. Participating Ladies Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Day businesses will offer special from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on shopping Sundays from 11 discounts, sales, a.m. to 5 p.m. refreshments, The museum and raffles. shop, bistro and Speaking grounds are of historic open daily. As Sarasota places, you’re exploring have you the museum, visited the new stop for a snack Sarasota Art or light meal Museum of at the bright the Ringling and inviting College of Art bistro. Enjoy & Design? chef Kaytlin The work of artist Samo Davis is Home of the Dangaran’s among the treasures at the Sarasota Art former Sarasota cuisine that Museum. (photo by Ryan Gamma) High School, emphasizes the museum local produce, is dedicated to new ideas and healthy proteins and specialty “art of our time,” according to the items inspired by Florida’s regional website. Here you’ll find exciting fruit stands and farmers markets. contemporary exhibits that Trained at the French Culinary museum curators change regularly. Institute in New York City, As the region’s first Dangaran brings a wealth of contemporary art museum, this culinary experience honed at fine is the place to see and experience restaurants in New York and San diverse and important art from Francisco to her role. She came the 20th and 21st century. On to Sarasota from the Perez Art Thursday, Aug. 19, the museum Museum in Miami. presents Spin, a live outdoor Visit: https://www. musical performance that will be sarasotaartmuseum.org/.

www.siestasand.us

941.312.0665

AUGUST 2021

27th State Media LLC

DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE Mushroom stone-baked pizza, munchies, calzone, salad, hoagie, or even a burger. Pick from our selection of 24 draft beers or tasty, handcrafted cocktails. And, many of our pizzas can be made glutenfree or vegan. Located at 6727 S. Tamiami Trail. 941-388-7504.

Off the Hook Operated and run

by Chef Wes Duval, a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and master at serving guests the freshest fish possible with a focus on local delicacy delights, eclectic presentations, and legendary desserts. You will

enjoy great service and a variety of original dishes he has mastered over his years specializing in seafood. His fusion of fresh fish paired with unique and flavorful creations is divine. All ingredients are hand-picked and complimented by a refined wine selection from vineyards around the world as well as his choice in quality spirits and local craft beers.

Off the Hook has become a signature culinary destination, from first sip to last bite. A perfect date-night-spot or gathering place with your foodie friends.

Designer Eyeglasses, Sunglasses & Unique styles to fit your unique personality.

John Garner

Roberts Realty

Eye Exams by our Board Certified Optometry Physician Welcome outside prescriptions

Broker Associate

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Working with Sarasota Buyers & Sellers since 1969

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We are with you every step of the way!

GULF GATE BUSINESS DISTRICT SARASOTA, FL 34231

2621 Mall Dr., Sarasota RobertsRealty@comcast.net www.SarasotaCoast.com 1

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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.

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.).

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 E Sarasota County. OUR PHILOSOPHY is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals.

We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941-924-2330 or D drop by our office.

Only Eyes, Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary C 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 B with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with their licensed optician.

Mellow Mushroom serves a one-of-a-kind pizza pie.

A The flavors and ingredients are just as unique and special as the restaurant’s design. Try a Mellow

Sun Trust

With our map, located below, you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease.

The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flattops, 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 (G11): 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.

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. – 941-554-8905.

Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works...dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot. All served in true Authentic Chicago Style.

Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-32): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those

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Siesta Sand

Hotels

AUGUST 2021

941.312.0665

www.siestasand.us

Continued from page 1

the eight-story, 170-room Calle Miramar hotel — RE/MAX real estate agent Robert Anderson — began making presentations to various neighborhood groups and organizations on the Key in an effort to win their support. Anderson is the long-time lessee of the site slated for that hotel; the primary owner of the land is Louise Khaghan of New York City.

During a Jan. 11, county-mandated neighborhood workshop, attorney William Merrill of the Icard Merrill firm in Sarasota told participants that the team is seeking a special exception for the hotel to exceed the 35-foot height limit allowed in Commercial General zoning districts in the county, including those within the Siesta Key Overlay District (SKOD). Merrill has said the hotel would have a height of 80 feet above base flood elevation. A restaurant, bar and retail shops also are part of the plans.

Additionally, the project team has asked for an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan that would treat “transient accommodations” — the term county staff uses for hotels and motels — as a non-residential use. In the preliminary project application, attorney Matthew Brockway of Icard Merrill wrote that that “is consistent with the true nature of the use.

After all, from a land use, planning, and zoning perspective,” he added, “hotels are a commercial use critical to tourism and our local economy. To that end Transient Accommodations are only permitted (either as permitted uses or by special exception) in certain commercial zoning districts.”

Under county regulations for Commercial General zoning, a hotel room counts as half a dwelling unit if it has no kitchen. Residential density on Commercial General property is limited to 13 units per acre. Thus, a hotel could have up to 26 rooms per acre. The site of the planned hotel on Calle Miramar comprises 0.96 acres.

However, in updated application materials, the project team simply is

seeking amendments to the county’s Unified Development Code, which encompasses all the county’s landuse and zoning regulations.

Merrill pointed out in a May 7 letter to county Planning Division staff that, because “the proposed hotel use and associated (Unified Development Code) text amendments do not create residential density and do not direct population concentrations to the barrier island … the intensity of the proposed hotel use does not exceed that allowed pursuant to (county Future Land Use) Policy 2.9.1.”

That policy was enacted in 1989 to restrict barrier island residential density and intensity.

Siesta residents have been adamant in opposition to the hotel plans, as well as the proposed amendments. During the January workshop, many told Merrill that the project is too intense for the island, particularly because of the increased traffic congestion with which residents — and visitors — have been contending over the past couple of years.

Lourdes Ramirez, past president of the Siesta Key Association and the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations, pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan policy the project team wants to amend was put in place in 1989.

It “was created by the county commissioners back then because they recognized that the barrier islands could not handle any more intensity,” she said.

The Kompothecras proposal Along with their building plans, Kompothecras’ team members originally filed for a county Comprehensive Plan amendment and an amendment to the county’s Unified Development Code.

However, on May 27, county staff received a letter from the project team announcing that it was withdrawing the Comprehensive Plan amendment petition.

That amendment — like the one for the Calle Miramar project — pertained to county Future Land

Use Policy 2.9.1, regarding intensity and density of future development on the barrier islands. It would have applied only to lands located south of Stickney Point Road — in what Kompothecras calls the “South Bridge area” — that are zoned Commercial General and Commercial Intensive.

In a June 14 response to Kompothecras’ attorney, Charles Bailey of the Williams Parker firm in Sarasota, Todd Dary, manager of the county’s Planning Services Division, wrote: “The withdrawal of the privately initiated petition is based on written analysis you provided during the sufficiency review (by staff) that demonstrates that the proposed commercial use of (Commercial General]/SKOD zoned property was consistent with Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Policy 1.3.1. (‘SKOD’ refers to the Siesta Key Overlay District zoning regulations.)

“Specifically, the proposal could be allowed by right, or special exception, based on existing codes, as well as codes that were in existence in 1989 as specified in Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Policy 2.9.1. Staff has reviewed the analysis and agrees with the premise and finding as the impetus of your withdrawal.”

The proposed Unified Development Code amendment that Kompothecras’ team has submitted says that no hotel room within a Commercial General zone in the Siesta Key Overlay District could have a kitchen and that each room without a kitchen would be calculated as one-quarter dwelling unit. Finally, that amendment calls for no more than 120 rooms in an individual transient accommodation.

During two neighborhood workshops in December, Siesta residents also voiced adamant opposition to Kompothecras’ proposals.

Again, traffic was a primary concern, especially as Old Stickney Point Road has a dead end.

Artist renderings show the proposed hotels by Robert Anderson (above) and Gary Kompothecras (left, with accompanying parking garage below). The county’s Planning Commission will review their proposals Aug. 19 and Sept. 2, respectively. (submitted images)

www.siestasand.us

941.312.0665

AUGUST 2021

Notes from the Island Fishmonger

Capt. Jim Klopfer’s Fishing Forecast Adventure Charters (941) 371-1390

Candice, an angler from Sarasota, recently caught this nice bay snapper. (submitted photo)

T

here is a little secret here on Siesta Key: The fishing is terrific in August!

Many anglers assume that the heat slows down the action, but this is far from true. The reality is that due to daily rain showers, the water temperature is actually lower in August than it is in June.

Hordes of bait fish cover the flats.

This combination results in excellent conditions for anglers to succeed. The best action Klopfer will be early morning, late afternoon, and at night.

Snook love the infusion of fresh water into the bay. Snook migrate back into the bays after spawning out on the beach in August.

Shallow diving plugs such as the Rapala X-Rap are very effective baits. They cover a lot of water and produce explosive strikes. Bass Assassin soft plastics also work well. Live shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards will also catch a lot of snook, particularly once the fish are located. Outgoing tides at first light and in the evening are the best times to fish.

Redfish will begin to school up in large numbers in August.

The bars south of Siesta Drive are worth a try. Weedless gold spoons and scented soft plastic baits on an eighth-ounce jig head are proven baits. Hand-picked shrimp cast into pot holes is a deadly technique, too.

Low, incoming tides are best. Due to the red tide we experienced last year, both redfish

and speckled trout are closed to harvest.

The deep grass flats on the north end of Siesta Key will be good spots to target fish. High tides in the morning will produce plenty of fish. Speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevelle, sharks, small gag grouper, and mangrove snapper will also be caught by anglers drifting the deep grass.

A live shrimp under a popping cork works very well. A jig with a grub tail is the preferred artificial bait but plugs and spoons are also effective.

The bars from the Stickney Point bridge south to Blackburn Point will hold some very nice trout along with a few redfish. This area does not get a lot of pressure in the summertime. This is an early morning bite and a high tide is preferred.

In the last several years, mangrove snapper fishing has been outstanding. Grass flats that drop off into deep water with some current flow should produce plenty of nice snapper this month. Live bait works best and baitfish will usually catch larger fish than shrimp. A 1/0 live bait hook tied on a 24-inch piece of 20-pound flourocarbon leader with just enough split shot to get to the bottom is the simple but effective rig.

Surf casters should have opportunities for snook -- the beach fishing for snook this year has been outstanding. Small artificial lures such as white jigs and small plugs work well, while live shrimp and baitfish will score more consistently. Other species such as Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, drum, trout, pompano, and flounder will be taken as well. The best conditions are an east wind and incoming tide.

Kid Catch of the month!

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Florida Fish of Siesta Key

Red Snapper

Crab mania: Everything you should know

t wasn’t too long ago that the self-proclaimed food critics around the world shared their expertise of food and their food reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google. This was actually a good way of keeping restaurant owners on their toes, as reviews these days mean everything. A good review will send business to all restaurants.

Now, sites such as Sarasota Foodie among others are getting a reputation for repetitive questions, obnoxious comments, selfpromotion, and misinformation.

For example: The question of who has the best pizza or the best seafood has become a daily question on these sites. I’m going to focus on the question of who has the best crab legs in town because, quite frankly, the answers are obvious. The answer to where to get the best crab legs response of “the ocean” was once a funny joke, but no longer. Anyone who suggests that there are no good crab legs in Florida is simply misinformed, as we will explain in this article.

Alaskan snow crab (also known as Opilio crab) are named for their flaky, snowy, white meat. They are commercially harvested during the fall and winter in several areas around the globe.

We all remember when we would go down to our favorite seafood place and they would have all-you-can-eat snow crab for less than $20. Those days are behind us due to the ever-rising prices of crab legs.

However, our traditional crab boils (or steam pots, as we call them at Big Water Fish Market) consisting of crab legs, corn, potatoes, ouille sausage, mussels, clams, and shrimp, served with melted butter and cocktail sauce, are available on a daily basis and will continue to be throughout the year.

These crabs are a low-calorie, low-fat source of clean protein.

On average they contain about 500 milligrams of Omega-3 fatty acids per 3.5 ounces of meat, making them a delicious and healthy option for seafood lovers everywhere. It is a fact that Alaskan snow crab legs are cooked at sea where they are caught to protect their flavor, then flash

Florida Puffer Yellowtail Florida Puffer Sailfish Sailfish Spanish Mackerel Dohlpin “Mahi-Mahi”

Mangrove Snapper Scoolmaster Lane Snapper

frozen and shipped all around the world. For those of you that don’t consider frozen crab legs fresh, maybe you should check out Black online the process of flash freezing Mullet and see how it preserves the crab better than any other method.

Snook One example of a fresh local crab is our Florida stone crab, which are currently out of season Red Drum in July but will be back in the third “Redfish” week of October. Stone crab are one of, if not THE most sustainable sources of seafood in Florida due Tarpon to the way they are harvested and the limits and regulations that are put on them. Stone crab are caught from the tip of the panhandle all Baracuda the way down to Key West and then all the way past Jacksonville.

There’s nothing that brings families together (especially in Florida) more than a good ol’ crab boil. Whether it’s snow crab, king crab, or Dungeness from the Pacific northwest, or our local Florida Florida stone crab will tantalize Pompano the taste buds of those with a Jack craving for an eternity.

Crevalle Henceforth, forget the opinion that no crab legs in the area are fresh just because they’re brought in frozen. Alaskan snow crab is still one of the richest in flavor and most succulent delicacies of the sea.

Live well and eat crab!

Spotted -- Daniel Lindsey and Scott Dolan BigWaterFishMarket.com 6641 Midnight Pass Rd.

AUGUST 2021 TIDE CHART

Scamp

Gulf Flounder

AmberJack

Sea Trout

Cobia

Black Drum

Catfish

King King Mackerel Mackerel

Blue Marlin

Black Grouper Sasha, recently visiting from Orlando, used an artificial lure to reel in her first-ever catch off the Siesta Key shoreline. (submitted photo)

Sheesphead

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ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 43 HOMES FOR SALE PAGE 42 SIESTA KEY MARKET STATS PAGE 39

The Highs and Lows of Properties Sold on Siesta Key

Provided by Key Solutions Real Estate / www.keysolutionsrealestate.com

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.

HIGHEST-PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE 8347 MIDNIGHT PASS RD. $6.5 MILLION This magnificent waterfront home enjoys 100 feet of shoreline on south Siesta Key and offers a wonderful opportunity to be less than 1 mile from Turtle Beach and only 3 miles from the renowned Siesta Key Beach.

As you enter the home you are enchanted by the vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling windows with picturesque panoramic views of the Bay, coffer ceilings, chandeliers and a beguiling fireplace extending 21 feet high and finished in imported Turkish stone. The LOWEST-PRICED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE 657 CALLE DE PERU $805,000 Rare opportunity in Siesta Key Village!

This beautifully restored cottage is being offered fully furnished! It has an open concept plan with the original vaulted and beamed ceilings, pine flooring and tongue and groove cypress plank interior walls throughout.

Beautifully updated with a modern kitchen which includes newer stainless appliances,

quartz countertops, a sea glass backsplash, farmhouse sink, pendant lighting, and reverse osmosis water system. Both baths have been fully updated as well. The main bath features a deep Zen soaking tub and newer cabinetry with marble countertops and lighting.

The master bath features a rustic barn door entry, updated cabinetry with marble countertops and a rain shower. The master bedroom is huge and loaded with windows which gives this light-filled space an amazing vibe. There is also flex space which can

HIGHEST-PRICED CONDO 309 BEACH RD., UNIT #309-S2 $2.75 MILLION This four-bedroom home enjoys a rooftop terrace which is perched high in the sky for stunning sunset views of the beach. The main living area and owner’s quarters are located on the third level. The living room and dining room with recently raised ceilings enjoy an open-air feel with the dazzling new kitchen by Sarasota Architectural Design. TopLOWEST-PRICED CONDO 901 BEACH RD., #103 $360,000 La Siesta, perfect for owner’s enjoyment and expense coverage. This one-bedroom, one-bath unit, fixer upper,

”

— Beata and Pawel Wolczynski, and family

941- 479-1175 • 856-278-7522 realtornemo@gmail.com

Courtesy of Keller Williams Realty Select

Courtesy of Re/Max Platinum

with its premier location at Crescent Beach, is a first-floor walkout granting perfect access to the beautiful quartz sand and stunning turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the heart of Siesta Key. La Siesta offers it all -- a lovely pool area, close proximity

“

office is accented by custom built-ins and desk with pristine views of the water. The main home first level also boasts a twostory staircase, breakfast area, one en suite guest bedroom, guest and pool bathroom, laundry and storage. The third floors offers a fully equipped theater room, wet bar, two en suite guest bedrooms and a bonus loft space with access to the mezzanine with spectacular views.

Take the elevator to the ground floor where 1,500-plus square feet of space for entertaining and fitness await, a place for guests to retreat and a full bath featuring a dry cedar sauna.

be used as a sitting area, office space, or whatever works best for you.

Enjoy a cold drink on your enclosed porch overlooking a totally fenced and very tropical and private low maintenance backyard, with plenty of room for a pool. Other updates include newer windows and a new roof and central heat and AC system in 2019.

Amazing income potential for vacation rental!

quality features include white quartzite counters and marble backsplash, Wolf 5 burner gas cooktop, Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, Wolf double ovens, and a distressed Cypress-clad center island. The luxurious Owner’s quarters has a sitting area, a dream bath with double vanities, a freestanding contemporary tub, custom cabinetry and its own viewing balcony. The guest level boasts of three picture-perfect bedrooms with terraces overlooking the pool area. Guests will gravitate to the large

What a dream it has been living in Paradise! Our family couldn’t be happier with the home Al Nemore found for us on Siesta Key. After many renovations, we are finally settled in and able to spend our days on the beach and at home making memories with family, friends, and great neighbors!

Since Chicago winters are so brutal, we also love spending the Christmas season at our new home.

Al Nemore

well-appointed gourmet kitchen which boasts Viking appliances, including a six-burner gas cooktop, and a built-in Miele coffee system. The family room’s double pocket corner doors open to the expansive wrap around Travertine covered terrace complete with a new summer kitchen including an Alfresco gas grill, Marvel refrigerator, and sustainable PVC composite cabinetry. The tanning deck covered entertaining area, heated saltwater pool and spa, with a grotto and sheer descent water feature providing soothing sounds. A kayak launch and private dock with composite decking with power/water, and a boat lift offering quick open Bay access for your avid boating. The

family/media room sporting an undercounter dishwasher, wine cooler and refrigerator. The rooftop terrace includes a bar. Many current upgrades include a recently remodeled powder bath, LED lighting, RTI audio/video system with remote pairing, two new ACs units in 2017 and new fans.

Travertine flooring with a matte finish. A heated pool and spa are also included in this exquisite maintenance-free residence Courtesy of Michael Saunders

to the Village, wonderful shopping and dining, free transportation, and the best beach experience!

Do not miss out on this enjoyment/investment opportunity.

Courtesy of Coldwell Banker

NMLS #1783476

Marty Remillard NMLS#343653

No Lender Fees 941. 223.9416 highdefintionmortgage.com

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Word Search Answers from Page 30

RVTerms

er Ct d Un traays n d Con 3 i

338 Avenida Milano, Sarasota, Florida Beaches!, Boating! & Bistros!! Great seasonal getaway or investment located on a quiet cul de sac. This Tropical Paradise in “The Village” is the Siesta Key property you have been looking for. Beaches!- you are a short walk to World Famous Siesta Beach. Boating!- approx. 71 feet of Canal Front with access to world class fishing and watersports.

Bistro’s!-You are steps away from locally acclaimed dining and entertainment of Siesta Village.

Walk everywhere, no need to drive!

This 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom is loaded with charm. The Master bedroom has a full En Suite bath.

Walls of glass & lots of natural light.

The back yard is a private tropical paradise with Mature landscaping.

The front and back yards are a private tropical . Sold Turnkey (Fully) Furnished. This is Florida Living!!

$849,000

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Views, tranquility make The Pointe the place to be at south end of the Key

The Pointe is located at the southernmost tip of Siesta Key at the end of Midnight Pass Road. Drive across Stickney Point bridge and turn south -- away from the congestion of Siesta public beach to the more tranquil, less-traveled end of Siesta Key. This quieter portion of Siesta is comprised largely of singlefamily homes with a number of condominium communities mixed in. South Midnight Pass Road is lined with beautiful canopied trees allowing for shaded biking and walking paths.

The most exceptional feature of The Pointe is the VIEWS -- 270-degree vistas of the intracoastal, Little Sarasota Bay, and the gulf afford incredible

views both day and night.

Wake to awe-inspiring sunrises over Neville Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay and marvel at the spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Southern units look south to Casey Key and beyond, while northern units enjoy views of downtown Sarasota. Nature lovers revel in the diversity of wildlife -- both on land and water -- seen from the property.

Sheri Lasley-Ruiz of Key Solutions Real Estate has listed and sold numerous properties at The Pointe. Ruiz asserts, “The views at The Pointe are some of the most spectacular in Sarasota.

At the current price level, The Pointe is one of the best values on Siesta.”

Turtle public beach, within a short walk from The Pointe,

®

To advertise in print or online contact: 27th State Media LLC at 941-312-0665 Send editorial and/or photos via email to: info@27statemedia.com

is a haven for beach walks, sunbathing, swimming, shelling, and even surfing! The park has been newly renovated to include a children’s playground, picnic pavilion, plentiful parking, restrooms, the only boat ramp on Siesta Key, and more.

The Pointe is a beautifully landscaped, private gated community. The 5-plus acre property features every amenity: a heated pool and spa, lighted tennis court, pickle ball courts, private boat docks, kayak and canoe racks and docking, a lovely club house with full kitchen and fireplace, men’s and women’s saunas, fitness centers in each building, an island pavilion with grills, and on-site management and maintenance.

This amazing property is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from Turtle Beach and three restaurants -- a casual eclectic pub, a waterside American/seafood eatery, and a haute-cuisine French restaurant with outdoor seating on the water.

Two 10-story highrise buildings house a total of 122 units. Three different models are available: 1 bedroom, 1 bath units of 778 square feet; 2 bedroom, 2 bath units of 1,028 square feet; and 2 bedroom, 2 bath end units (with added windows) of 1,380 square feet. All units have lanais (not included in the square footage) which extend across the back of the unit with beautiful

intracoastal/bay views.

LISTED FOR SALE: Surrounded by water, this light and bright, rarely available ninth-floor 2 bedroom, 2 bath end unit affords some of the best views on Siesta. Water views from every room. Look north to the Gulf of Mexico, Siesta Beach, and the lights of Sarasota; west to spectacular sunsets over the gulf; and east to the abundance of wildlife in Little Sarasota Bay. A separate laundry room inside the unit, a utility closet off the lanai, and a ground-level

storage locker provide coveted storage space. The unit comes with under building parking which will accommodate two automobiles. Listed for $699,000.

RECENT SALES: Recent sales at The Pointe range from a 1 bedroom, 1 bath 778-square-foot unit for $260,000 to a 1,380-square-foot 2 bedroom, 2 bath end unit for $650,000.

For more information about The Pointe or any Siesta Key property, please contact Bob or Sheri Ruiz at 941-544-3299/941-400-4186 or RobertRuizRR@aol.com.

Published by 27th State Media LLC Contributing Writers and Photographers will be noted with bylines.

Guest commentary not necessarily the opinion of 27th State Media LLC Reproduction without written permission prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

All business bios are extensions of the display advertisements.

27th State Media 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. 27th State Media LLC is not responsible for claims made by advertisers.

P.O. BOX 35105, Sarasota, FL 34242 www.siestasand.us

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Classifieds / Here’s My Card ACCOMMODATIONS / VACATION RENTALS • Best Western Plus Siesta Key – AAA -3 Diamond Property, Free shuttle service to and from Siesta Key 941-924-4900, 6600 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

• Landings Carriagehouse, $2,500 per month. Call Jim 941-539-0774.

• Siesta 4 Rent - Vacation Rentals, from studios to 5 bedrooms.

Serving Siesta Key since 1997, 941-349-5500

AUTOMOTIVE DELIVERY

27th State Media LLC

(cont. on page 42)

COMPANIONSHIP

HOUSE WATCH CONTINUED

Your Companion

CITIZEN JACK

HOME WATCH SERVICES

Compassionate Company To Help You Through The Day

Accredited, Bonded, Insured & Certified

AmericAn Born, A FloridiAn By God's GrAce! Honest As ABe...responsiBle As GeorGe!

Offering Transportation and Companionship to.... * Doctor Appointments * Beauty Salon Appointments * Shopping and more!

citizen JAck's Got your BAck tHis president's dAy And Beyond!

Jim Farley (#06190076) 941.350.3610 info@citizenjackhws.com www.citizenjackhws.com

Please call for complimentary interview:

Patricia Newman from 9am-5pm

41

941-923-4301

CONTRACTORS

MEDICAL

• 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.

• DRIVER for YOUR vehicle, cargo and pets. Sarasota/Siesta Call 941-650-9499 or visit their website: www.hawksnestconstruction.com Key/Port Charlotte area to MICHIGAN ONLY. Offering services Lic#CGC060852.

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

that carriers/haulers are unable to provide. Background check.

Bonded. Insured. Chauffeur’s license. Retired law enforcement officer. 941-323-3945 or 313-434-2070 or www.yhvaletdriving.com

J Morgan O’Donoghue, MD.

AUTOMOTIVE VALET

1952 Field Road Sarasota, Florida 34231

941.926.7546

www.dermatologyexperts.com

DR. AMY TAFEEN, D.C.

INJURY & WELLNESS CARE FOR ADULTS, PRENATAL, NEWBORN AND PEDIATRIC CARE

Sarasota to Tampa Airport $ 89 each way

Airport Shuttle Limo/Taxi

Specialized Chiropractic that Comes to You!

MOBILE CHIROPRACTIC | COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY CHIROPRACTIC PHONE CONSULTATION NOW!

dramytafeenchiropractor@gmail.com | dramytafeen.com (941) 447-2041 | Sarasota and Bradenton offices

RELIABLE AIRPORT RIDES

Long Distance Trips We Specialize in Helping the Elderly, Handicapped and We are Pet Friendly

“Serving All of Southwest Florida” • Companionship • Dementia/Alzheimers Care • Medication Reminders • Meal Preparation • Transportation/Errands • Light Housekeeping • Shopping

LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

DRY CLEANERS

PLEASE CALL: 941.735.4732 BOATING RENTALS / FISHING CHARTERS

Dolphin Watch • SunSetS • half Day aDventure SailS

941-499-4008 H2H.companions@gmail.com Heart2HomeHealthCare.com

Family Owned and Operated Environmentally Conscious Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service CONTACTLESS!

Free Pick Up & Delivery Service Call

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

from your home or business

HELENE M. HYLAND

941-275-4647

REALTOR®

ExEcutivE Shirt SErvicE • houSEhold itEmS • SamE day SErvicE availablE

Sailing From Marina Jack, Sarasota

Kathleen D Sailing Catamaran 941-896-6400

www.KathleenD.net

HOUSE WATCH

House Watch Sarasota

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

Captain Jacks Yacht Charters

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

• CB’s Saltwater Outfitters – CB’s Saltwater Outfitters is an ORVIS Endorsed Outfitter Fishing Charter Service.

Our veteran guides offer exciting Fishing Adventures for anglers of all ages from novice to the expert. See our website: www.CBsOutfitters.com or stop in their store for additional info.

1240 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key. (941) 349-4400.

CLEANING SERVICES

Green Magic Cleaning Service

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

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

SARASOTA HOME WATCH INC.

Book your slice of paradise today!

Weekly rentals on Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and St. Augustine in Florida!

Book online today at: www.floridarent.com or call 800-851-1096 to speak to a vacation specialist!

941-404-7464

bonded | insured | accredited

www.SarasotaHomeWatchInc.com

A family owned business with 16 years of experience.

(941) 780-4248

www.SheSellsSiestaKeySarasota.com

Cheryl@SarasotaHomeWatchInc.com

“Residential and Commercial”

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

5145 Ocean Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34242 Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

We don’t cut corners, we dust them.

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

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

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

(941) 961-4309

www.SuncoastHomeConcierge.com

RESTAURANTS

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HOMES FOR SALE GULF-FRONT UNIT Rarely available, spacious three-bedroom, three-bath. On the beach in The TERRACE building. The location is second to none, directly on the beach and just steps away from the heart of the village. This fabulous beachfront corner unit has five oversized balconies with stunning sunsets. The swimming pool is fantastic; over-sized, extremely deep, heated, saltwater with full gulf-front views. If you enjoy sunsets and walking the beach you have found paradise. The award-winning white sugar sand of Siesta Key, the finest white sand in America is at your doorstep. Dreams do come true, and this can be yours. 5400 OCEAN BLVD, #2-1, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS#A4472758, $2,599,999, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255

TURNKEY TOWNHOUSE FOR SALE Located adjacent to booming Siesta Key, voted “Best Beach in the USA,“ now-available turnkey fully furnished luxurious townhouse, 2.5 bath, large shower, two large screened-in lanais, covered parking, washer/dryer and spectacular views. Castle Del Mar, 1604 Stickney Point Rd., Unit 202, Building 1, SARASOTA, FL 34231; list price $425,000. Contact number 941-587-2321

IDEAL ISLAND LIVING Oversized one bedroom, one bathroom condo in The Terrace building. A few steps from the beach to the village. To the east views of mature trees overhanging a tennis court with Siesta Village in the background. To the southwest peekaboo views of the beach. Sit back on the oversized balconies relaxing to background music from the village. Walk out your front door to the deep heated saltwater pool overlooking the beach. This is the lowest priced condo in the building and with interest rates at an all-time low this will go fast. 5400 OCEAN BLVD, #1-4, SARASOTA, FL 34242 MLS# A4486578, $799,999, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255 BREATHTAKING WATER VIEWS. Surrounded by water, rarely available END UNIT affords some of the BEST VIEWS on Siesta. Look north to the GULF of MEXICO, and the lights of Sarasota, west to sunsets over the Gulf and east to WILDLIFE in Little Sarasota Bay. This nicely appointed unit is being sold furnished. Separate laundry room inside the unit.

The unit comes with underbuilding parking which will accommodate 2 automobiles. 9393 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, #901, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4487826, $699,000, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255 PRICE DROP STUNNING VIEWS from three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom beach condo. The views are stunning and the sunsets never disappoint. The total square footage is 2,245 with 1,845 square feet of air-conditioned space with five private balconies, three of which are oversized. This flowing open floor plan is perfect for beachside living and elegant entertaining. A walker’s paradise on the white sands of Siesta Beach to the heart of the village, restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife. 5400 OCEAN BLVD, #1-3, SARASOTA, FL 34242, MLS# A4486556, $1,599,999, Key Solutions Real Estate, 941-894-1255

Classifieds / Here’s My Card (cont.)

SHIPPING

5% Off with Coupon

6547 Midnight Pass Rd. South Siesta Key 941-346-3303 mailpackcenter.com * Coupon is redeemable for shipping cost greater than 50 dollars.

SPAS / HAIR & BEAUTY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE HOURS: MON. - FRI.: 9AM - 6PM

941-312-6001 2081 SIESTA DRIVE SARASOTA, FL 34239

SPORTS

Certified Pickleball Coach Scott Pintchuck 941-315-0857 PPR Member #2769

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Sunset Beach Resort Siesta Key Dream Inn

We buy at full market value with no realtor fees and no showings.

Sell Fast.

Sell Easy.

Sell To Dougie 941-720-2093 Douglas Dolliff is a licensed Florida real estate agent

6600 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota BestWesternSiestaKey.com 941.924.4900

Complimentary shuttle service to and from anywhere on Siesta Key. Thursday-Sunday 10AM-11PM (driver tips only)

Still Family Owned and Operated Since 2007 AAA-3 Diamond Property

• 114 Guest Rooms • One and Two Bedroom Suites Now Available • Complimentary Grab & Go Breakfast Every Morning • Free Shuttle Service to and from Siesta Key every day.

• Microwave/Fridge in every guestroom *Amenities and services may be adjusted due to COVID-19, please contact the hotel or visit our website for details

Hours: Thursday 2:00PM - 8:00PM Fri.& Sat. 2:00PM - 10:00PM Happy Hour 3-6PM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Live Music every weekend (check the schedule on Facebook or call 941-924-4900) *Use of the pool for Registered Guests Only

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Key Employee

Rick

Rick has served in a maintenance role at Excelsior Beach to Bay Condominiums on Midnight Pass Road for nearly six years.

“I love being outdoors and helping the great people who live here. Plus, I get to work with a great team,” he said as he strung year-round decorative lights in the complex’s courtyard. “The nature of this job can be good and bad, but at least there is always something to do.”

He’s a St. Louis native who later spent many years in southern California working a variety of occupations, including roofing.

“It was hot there, especially on those rooftops, but it’s hotter here,” Rick said of working on Siesta Key. Photos by John Morton (To nominate a Siesta Key employee worthy of recognition, email: info@27statemedia.com.)

Sun Garden Cafe recognizes the impact that quality workers can have on a business, and is proud to sponsor the Key Employee each month.

Congratulations, Rick! Your dedication has resulted in a gift certificate for breakfast for four at Sun Garden Cafe, located at 210 Avenida Madera in the Village.