Cyclovia, Housing, Half-Marathon, more

Greetings!

Welcome to the Sarasota County Community Connections e-newsletter. Please share it with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, atcommunityconnections@scgov.net

District 1 community forum

TODAY: Join your District 1 city and county commissioners, along with local experts, for an important panel discussion on the current state and future of community safety and the evolving structure of education.

Weekend marathon will cause delays at Centennial Park

SUNDAY: The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon March 11 will cause somedelays in access to the Centennial Park boat ramp between 7-11 a.m. To avoid traffic, boaters are encouraged to use the ramp at Ken Thompson Park.

Spring forward with new smoke alarm batteries

SUNDAY: Finally, Daylight Saving Time is back. Take advantage of this annual rite of spring to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and weather radios.

Spin your wheels Sunday

Cyclovia Venice draws cycling enthusiasts, walkers, runners, inline skaters and people with strollers from around the region. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, March 11, join them as they once again converge on downtown Venice to spin their wheels.

Early voting for Longboat Key

Vote early for the March 20 Town of Longboat Key general election March 10-16. Early voting will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

New online vendor registration

Vendors who want to do business with Sarasota County will soon be able to use a free online procurement system. Readhow eProcure will simplify the vendor process in Sarasota County.

Raise your seagrass IQ

Florida waters contain the largest seagrass meadow in the world, including 16,500 acres of beds along Sarasota County. Learn about this precious resource at a free seagrass presentation at the Siesta Key beach pavilion.

Florida building code changes

Effective March 15, all permit applications and construction documents must comply with the 2010 Florida Building Code. Find out how this may affect you - attend one of these sessions being held throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Housing action plan for 2012

Sarasota is updating its 2012 Action Plan for Federal Housing and Community Development Funds. Share your ideas for affordable housing, community development and homeless services March 15, from 5:30-7 p.m., at the Nokomis Community Center.

How do you color the cost of saving energy?

Show Sarasota County what saving energy at home looks like to you. Join theEnergy Upgrade Art Competition to share your energy-efficiency message. The contest is open to residents 18 and up. Winners will be recognized by the Sarasota County Commission April 24.

We're No. 1 (again!)

The Society of American Travel Writers has named Sarasota the best place in the United States for a Spring Break family vacation. The group lauded our indoor and outdoor activities, amazing beaches (but we already knew that!), and cultural and historic sites.

Great American Cleanup set

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful has begun registering volunteers for the 2012 Great American Cleanup. The event takes place from 8 a.m. - noon Saturday, April 7, at sites throughout Sarasota County.

Planning Commission has vacancy

The advisory board has one vacancy. This board interprets and advises the Sarasota County Commission on the adoption and amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, as well as land use applications.

The board meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. This is a 4-year term.

To learn more, contact Paula Clintsman at 941-861-5154 orpclintsman@scgov.net.

First look!

Sarasota County is getting ready to debut its new website.Here's your sneak peak.

Want your very own piece of paradise?

Download color and black and white versions of Siesta Key Beach's new No. 1 sign.

New videos this week .

Sarasota County tests its emergency response during acountywide tornado drill.

PLUS: Sarasota County libraries and the Baltimore Orioles team up to promote reading.

2012 Legislative Session, Week 8

Your up-to-the-minute report onlegislative actions affecting Sarasota County.

Commission Reports

Actions taken by the Sarasota County Commission during its regular meetings.

More headlines

Free tax assistance

Tour de Parks hits Legacy Trail

Preventive dental care for North Port kids

Speakers Bureau

Request a member of ourSpeakers Bureau to share their expertise with your community, homeowners association or other civic group.

Calendar of Events