Community Connections: Grants, 2050 Plan, more

Greetings! Welcome to Sarasota County Community Connections. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at communityconnections@scgov.net.  History Center puts 'Florida in Context'  FRIDAY: An exhibit of fine art photography by Virginia Hoffman, Matt Allison, Salvatore Brancifort, Brian Braun, Dale Ann Clancy and Richard Porter will be on view from March 1 - April 10 at the Sarasota County Visitor Information Center and History Center Museum. Mowing schedule for Feb. 25-March 8 The schedule for Sarasota County's roadside mowing and median maintenance program for Feb. 25-March 8, subject to weather conditions. Sarasota K-9 Search and Rescue seeking volunteers  If you're interested, attend the "Meet and Greet" session for potential recruits at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 9, in the conference room at Animal Services, 8451 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota.  Need a neighborhood grant? Sarasota County will offer a series of grant workshops in March and April for residents who want to apply for funding under the Neighborhood Grant Program.   We want your input on the 2050 plan Sarasota County will hold initial public meetings March 13 and March 20 for input on Sarasota 2050, a policy component of the county's Comprehensive Plan. Get vaccines to stay healthy Local health officials remind everyone to get all recommended vaccines to remain healthy. Vaccines offer safe and effective protection against influenza (flu), pneumonia, tetanus, pertussis (or whooping cough) and many other vaccine-preventable diseases. Tour de Parks Fun Ride coming soon  The Tour de Parks Fun Ride on March 24 celebrates the fifth Anniversary of The Legacy Trail. The 16-mile ride encourages good health and provides an introduction to parks and fun cycling routes from Venice to Sarasota.   John Reed is new Fire Marshal John Reed has been appointed Sarasota County Fire Marshal, starting Feb. 25. He replaces Rick Fulwider, who retired in September 2012.  SCAT holds public meetings for Transit Development Plan Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) will hold four meetings for the public to review and comment on potential changes to SCAT's Transit Development Plan. The plan is the 10-year strategic guide for public transportation.     Health & Human Services building renamed the William L. Little Health & Human Services Center Sarasota County commissioners have honored retiring Deputy County Administrator Bill Little by unanimously voting to rename the Health & Human Services building at 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, as the "William L. Little Health & Human Services Center."  SCAT Express buses to get Wi-Fi Beginning Monday, March 4, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) riders will have wireless network access on SCAT's eight Express buses serving routes 100X North Port-Sarasota and 90X North Port-Venice-Sarasota.  FDEP introduces Sarasota County to new district office The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) maintains district offices representing five regional areas throughout the state. To establish a more consistent workload and to develop more uniform jurisdictional areas, FDEP has revised its district boundaries. Sarasota County's district is now represented by the FDEP office in Fort Myers.