The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

If you're curious where to find information about events going on in Sarasota County, here 's a very good source - the county's own Community Calendar . It's now listed in the sidebar to the right under "Sarasota County Community Calendar." Notice that above the calendar you can refine the search to look only for particular topics or types of events.

This message comes via SCOPE : Take the money - you've earned it! United Way wants you to know about its VITA Free Tax Assistance program, which is designed to increase the number of income-qualified people who apply for Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and Child Tax Credits (CTC). The IRS estimates that more than 20 percent of eligible workers in Sarasota County do not apply for this public benefit, which could bring as much as $20 million a year into the community if everyone who was eligible applied. Although the average EITC return is $1,800, you may be eligible for a tax credit up to $5,567 in EITC or CTC. Last year, United Way brought back nearly $600,000 into our community and directly into the pockets of local families who need it most. On Jan. 15, United Way will launch Phase II of this initiative, with free tax assistance sites throughout Sarasota, Venice, Laurel, North Port and Englewood, as well as DeSoto County. If your family income was $49,000 or less in 20...

Fresh from a successful Air Potato Pick-Up last Saturday, Friends of Rothenbach Park will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26th, at the Pavilion at Rothenbach Park, beginning at 3 p.m. The group will review the event and address upcoming events, including a possible first anniversary day at the park on April 25th. All those interested in this lovely park are welcome to join us on Tuesday.

There are many ways to participate in help for the Haitian people, but if you are seeking a way to contribute to the relief effort for Haiti , here's a way via a reliable local organization: With all the news on the crisis that the survivors are dealing with in Haiti, I wanted to inform you there is a way to reach out to Haiti immediately. There is a missions team called Agape Flights located in our own back yard on old 301 – they have planes which are flying to Haiti with supplies to meet immediate needs. If you wish to bring these items in – I will be happy to collect them and drop them off at their location. Bring supplies to Lynn Evensen located in SMC C305 or gather them in your areas and I will be happy to pick them up. Agape Flights Donate Current Needs: They are in urgent need for the following items: Medical Supplies Needed First Aid supplies Band Aids, Gauze, Bandages, Tape, Sutures, Water purification tablets Neosporin, Alcohol swabs, Hydrogen Per...

Ted just received the December '09 Sheriff's report for the subdivision, and here it is as he relayed it: The Sheriff's Dept. report came today.  There were only six incidents: one vandalism, four burglaries, and one juvenile disturbance.  There were no reported thefts. Four incidents occurred over Christmas vacation (12/26-29)--one juvenile disturbance and three burglaries.  A burglary occurred on Wake on 12/13.  And an act of vandalism occurred on 12/23.  Jarvis Rd. had two incidents (one instance of vandalism and one burglary).  Wake, Palau, Parry, and Jarvis Way had one incident each.  One incident (burglary) occurred (or was reported) at 8:17 a.m.  All five other incidents occurred between 2 and 10:30 p.m. Interested in Citizens Patrol? Contact Ted: 941 379-0758 or tcover6161@aol.com. 

The Lake Sarasota Community Group meeting was briefer than usual. We kept the same panel of officers as last year - Bill, Tisha, Judy, Ellie, Renee, Ted, et al, and raffled off a $50 gift certificate among the new visitors to our meeting. The treasury now has $676.15 after expenses, mostly charitable in nature, over the holiday season. Thanks to those who contributed last month. Yards of the Month were chosen on Lancaster, Allen, and Waikiki, and Renee will be delivering signs. LSCG officers will check on locations for future meetings - the VFW post and a couple of churches on Bee Ridge are possibilities. The Lakeview school portable is very nice, but will cost $30 each time we meet there. We don't yet have the Sheriff's report for December. October and November, as previously reported, together only had eight reported incidents. Ted is always welcoming new volunteers and can arrange brief training sessions:  941 379-0758 or tcover6161@aol.com. A couple of trees in th...

To schedule a free H1N1 vaccination clinic at your company or organization’s location, please call Anna Brereton-Hubbard at 941-861-2678.   H1N1 vaccine is also free every day at Sarasota County Health Department clinics on Ringling Blvd in Sarasota and Tamiami Trail in Venice.   Hours are posted at  sarasotahealth.org . Although Sarasota County has recently experienced a decrease in H1N1 cases, the illness is still in our community.  It is also uncertain if another large wave of illness will recur this winter.  Contracting the H1N1 flu is not only uncomfortable but can be costly and may also lead to more critical illness. Protect yourself and your family by preventing the spread of H1N1! The Sarasota County Health Department staff will travel to businesses and organizations in Sarasota County and hold small vaccination clinics onsite. We request the business supply a room, table, chairs and a minimum of 20 interested individuals. There is ...

Via Scott Montgomery, Sarasota Emergency Services: A strong Arctic cold front will push across much of the Deep South and Southeast today and tomorrow, bringing bitterly cold temperatures to these regions throughout the weekend. A hard freeze is likely across inland areas Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning with freezing temperatures also likely all the way to the coast. Daytime highs will struggle to climb above the freezing mark in many locations. Saturday morning temperatures: Sunday morning:

The Lake Sarasota Community Group (LSCG) will meet at a new location next week, but at the usual time. Set your calendar for Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., and find us at Lakeview Elementary School (Off of Hand Rd .) in Portable #33. This portable is located at the south end of the campus, toward the Bent Tree side. The location is being tried and we will talk about whether to make it our new regular meeting place at the meeting, along with all other regular and new business, including: $50 Gift Certificate Raffle - Anyone who attends can win! Future Meeting schedule, location, etc. Officers for LSCG 2010 Crime update and Citizens Patrol report Yard of the Month, Treasurer's Report New Business: Community Garden?