The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Dear Neighbors, If you live in Lake Sarasota, you've probably noticed some differences over the past couple of years. A group of neighbors formed the Lake Sarasota Community Group (LSCG) and, working with the county, has accomplished several things. A short list of tangible results would include: New landscaping and signs at Mauna Loa and Westminster New flagpole at Mauna Loa entrance New trees for medians Neighborhood clean-ups each year Citizens Patrol Yards of the Month Traffic calming Fall Festivals Neighborhood Garage Sales Holiday Santa and Caroling. Mauna Loa included in Great American Clean-Up Liasons with Sheriff, Parks, Public Works, Utilities Projects , Neighborhood Services Newsletter (formerly monthly, now quarterly) mailed to the entire 1,600-home community (with the help of business supporters like Mickey Schweitzer ). Maintenance of websites for communication on the Net. Much of this could not have been done without the activ...

The Lake Sarasota Beautification Committee has bids from two landscapers for the entrances at Mauna Loa and Westminster Blvd. The Committee is authorized to sign a contract, but wished to give the community the opportunity to review the offers and the choice of plants before making a final determination. Note: The plants here are those that would most likely be part of the landscaping regardless of which landscaper is chosen. Golden Aster Diffley and Daughters Dreamscapes, Inc. Dreamscape Installation at the two entrances to Lake Sarasota - Total: $750.00 Westminster Entrance Diffley will take the plants from the Mauna Loa entrance and install them in those beds-balancing out both sides & Installing Pine Bark Mulch. Mauna Loa Entrance Diffley & Daughters will make both beds identical We will precut the decorative beds to emphasize them & Install: 2-Double Foxtail-4 ft. behind the Lake Sarasota signs 4-Dwarf Philodendron 6-Flax Lily 6-Golden Aster 4-Indian Hawthorn Install ...

For those wondering what the new trees in the Mauna Loa media might be, there's a visual that might help at our central site . It's an aerial map with the trees identified, and can be found here.

Saturday July 26, 2008 8am – 2:30pm 2:30PM to 3:00PM will be used for policing sites Bring your discarded household items, yard waste, tree trimmings, junk & any other garbage or refuse. Tire and Appliances will be taken at the Tora Place and Brentford Road Site. (SORRY, NO ELECTRONICS, AUTO PARTS, PAINT, PESTICIDES OR ANY OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS) Free dumpsters will be available for your convenience at the following locations: Tora Place and Brentford Road (northwest corner) 7100 Lago Street (in front of the dog park) By the Fire House SPONSORED BY SARASOTA COUNTY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES / CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL - 861-6403

Potential Savings on Your Homeowner's Insurance…ACT NOW deadline extended to July 31st! Recently in the media, there have been talks about the My Safe Florida Home free wind inspections. What the inspection offers is a free wind inspection for any Floridian whose residence is a single-family, detached, site built home. Unfortunately mobile homes, manufactured homes, apartments, condominiums, multi-family dwellings and businesses are not eligible for the free inspection but you may schedule one at a cost of $150.00. The legislature's goal of scheduling 400,000 free wind inspections by early August is on schedule to be met. New applications are still being accepted for the free wind inspections and are offered on a first come first serve basis. You can apply over the phone at 866-513-6734 or online by following the link at www.mysaf eflorida.com . One of the benefits of receiving a free wind inspection through this program is identifying the potential insura...

Some reactions to the new trees on Mauna Loa, and thoughts about what to do with our neighborhood grant funds: First off I would like to congratulate you on all your endeavors and hard work. We are gone a lot and every time we come back to the neighborhood the improvements stand out. Love the 4 way stops. Traffic seems to have slowed to a much safer speed. Thank you for this. I do have a couple of suggestions for the grant money. Grant money is not free money, it is tax money that all have paid. This money, in my strong opinion, needs to be spent wisely for all. A party sounds wonderful but will only benefit a few. And I do not think this will go well with the county. There are stipulations for every grant. The landscaping will need continuing care. Can mulch, fertilizer and other landscaping needs be purchased and stored for future use? Gas cards for the volunteer patrol people, mailings for the people that do not use the Internet and are not receiving important announcements?...

FYI: An opportunity to hear Commissioner John Thaxton at the Fruitville 210 neighborhood meeting. When: Thursday, 6:30 - 7:45 pm Where: At the Fruitville Library , 100 Coburn Rd.

How would you spend $5,000? The LSCG has over $5,000 in grant funding and is seeking ideas on how to spend it before a December '08 deadline. One idea, to purchase a solar light for the flagpole, was approved at the July 8th meeting. Other ideas on the table include: Fund a Fall Festival. Develop a mini-neighborhood park on land at Hina and Palau. Add to the landscaping at both the Mauna Loa and Westminster entrances. The Beautification Committee will be looking at possible landscapers and plants. Plan a Christmas Holiday event. We are still seeking ideas. It was noted that the front entrance signs, which were purchased about a year ago: are already peeling in places... Brainstorming There were also several ideas put forward for future meeting agendas. Among those mentioned: Getting a speaker from the County Appraiser's office. An expert on green landscaping from Florida House or the County Extension Office. Learning about neighborhood emergency preparedness. Follow these link...

You can compare a variety of information about neighborhoods simply by going here: http://www.city-data.com/zips/34241.html and in the box that says "Find Place," enter any zip code.

The Lake Sarasota Community Group meets at 7 p.m. at Sarasota Baptist Church . Some items will follow from discussions at last month's meeting . See also these updates on our Google Site : Brick Grill at Lakeview Park Pavilion Taken Down . Prior to the meeting will be a Citizens Patrol Training session - a half-hour for those wishing to be certified. See here for more info , and please contact Ted Cover if you plan to attend. How to get to our meeting: Sarasota Baptist Church is across the street from Lakeview Elementary (Hand Rd from Lago): Go to the end across from the Worship Center and enter via the Admin Offices entrance (You'll see the names on the buildings once you're on that end in the parking lot.) It's in Room #100, which is straight ahead down the hallway when you enter. Real easy to find. View Larger Map Update from Laura: Hi Neighbors~ May you have an enjoyable, relaxing 4th of July weekend. The monthly meeting is July 8th @ 7 pm located in ro...