The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

SARASOTA COMMUNITY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ULTRA HIGH-SPEED INTERNET Sarasota, FL: A community effort is underway to bring an experimental ultra high-speed internet service to Sarasota, and you can show your support for it. Google plans to launch a test system in a select few locations in the United States for a fiber network with unprecedented speed. The experimental system would provide internet connections 100 times faster than what most Americans currently use, according to information released by Google. Google is asking municipalities throughout the nation to submit information about their communities via a Request for Information (RFI), which will be used to determine where the experimental networks will be built. Civic groups can also nominate their community. A group of community leaders within Sarasota is working to provide the requested information to Google by the deadline Fri., March 26, 2010. To learn more about the fiber network project visit here and here . To show

April from SCOPE sent this, adding "I want to personally invite you to this event and to ask if you could help me by sharing it with others in Lake Sarasota, or with anyone else in your circle who are particularly passionate or touched by about issues related to aging. [FYI we have scholarships so the cost ($30) should not be a barrier for anyone.]" Explore the complexities of aging. Discover ways to enhance our community. Featuring: Phyllis Moen, PhD: McKnight Presidential Chair in Sociology, University of Minnesota Michael Smyer, PhD: Provost, Bucknell University Reservations Required 8:30am-2:00pm RSVP to (941) 365-8751 Chelsea Center Event Cost: $30 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Continental Breakfast and lunch will be served.

Dear   Friend , National Wildlife Week, March 15-21 , is conveniently timed with the first week of daylight savings this year. Take advantage of the extra hour you’ll gain to spend quality time outdoors with your family. National Wildlife Federation offers  fun hands-on activities for kids and adults  alike to help you gear up for spring. Start getting wild this season with activities like making  winter art with your kids  and  identifying birds  in your backyard or a local park. These outdoor activities are perfect for the whole family (and friends) to do together. Don’t forget to mark your calendar to celebrate  National Wildlife Week  in March. Participate by committing to National Wildlife Federation’s  Be Out There campaign , which gives back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: a connection to the natural world. Help your kids foster a lifelong love of wildlife. There’s a reason they call it the great outdoors! Sincerely, Ashleigh Poff Be Out The

According to an email fowarded from a neighbor, police are investigating a home burglary that occurred yesterday, Feb. 18, on Luawanna. The home was broken into through the front door. A TV and a safe were among the items stolen. If anyone saw anything or anyone suspicious, please contact the Sheriff's office. Also, if you happen to see any evidence - papers, broken safe, etc., please contact them as well. This is yet another reason why Citizen's Patrol needs your support. Contact Ted at 379-0758, or email him at TCover6161@aol.com.

Know anyone who would be helped by saving on food expenses? Have a look: SHARE Florida Food Network is dedicated to providing savings on high quality food, while encouraging personal involvement in the community. Go here for more info . And find local share sites here .

Area Sheriff's Report for January via Ted: Crime was on the uptick -- there were eleven incidents, compared to six in December.   We have a potential "hot spot" in the 4020 block of Lancaster:  thefts (auto) one day apart at 4021 and 4025 Lancaster.  They occurred at 8:44 and 7:33 a.m. respectively.    Palau had the most incidents:  three.  There were two burglaries on Jan. 3 and 5 occurring at 12:04 and 3:08 p.m. and a burglary occurring on the 28th at 5:56 p.m. Mauna Loa saw two incidents:  Vandalism at 6304 on the 29th (4:07 p.m.) and a burglary on the 21st at 6836 at 9:18 p.m. Two other incidents of vandalism occurred on the 5th at 7150 Lago (12:27 a.m.) and on the 12th at 4247 Paota (7:50 p.m.). There was a burglary on the 31st at 3939 Hina at 1:16 p.m.  And there was a theft (building) at 4011 Westminster (3:59 p.m.) on the 15th.  There was a juvenile disturbance reported on the 8th at 2:16 p.m. at 7150 Lago. A change in the pattern of time and date o

Sarasota County community organizations team up to help Haiti victims Sarasota County Organizations Active in Disasters (SCOAD) will host Haitian relief collection centers 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at three locations in Sarasota County: Concordia Lutheran Church, 2185 Wood Street at School Ave., Sarasota New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 Gillespie Ave., Sarasota New Life Assembly of God, 5800 Tamiami Trail, South Venice Items needed include clothing and shoes for infants, children and adults with all items labeled (example – female, age 2-5) to facilitate quick sorting and distribution. Additional items needed are wheelchairs, walkers and crutches. All items should be clean and in good working condition. Volunteers will be available at each site to help unload and sort items. On Jan. 12, Port au Prince Haiti was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that left more than 200,000 people dead and millions more homeless. Rescue and

Highlights of the February general LSCG meeting (thanks Laura!)  -Treasury Report        $661.15   -Yard of Month  A home on Lanai and two on Palau.   -Future Events:   March 13 is Garage Sale .  Contact Sandy to help and/or be on map.   -Sandy is   passing out flyers on Feb 26   with lots of good info.  Call or email her to help. Our next meeting will be at a new place and on a new day: We'll be meeting at Sarasota Alliance Church for  Thursday, March 11th 7-8:30  in  room #103 (classrooms in back building ~ last room to left after entering double doors). Map The room is free but we should give them a donation if we continue to meet there.   We can continue to meet on the   2nd Thursday of each month   if we'd like.

The regular monthly meeting of the Lake Sarasota Community Group will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 9 in Portable #33 of Lakeview Elementary . Look for updates on events, Yard of the Month, Citizens Patrol, upcoming speakers, treasurer's report.

Update: The skunk has been found and is safe and sound. A neighbor has asked that we post this notice: O ur pet skunk ecsaped from our house at the front of Lake Sarasota near Bee Ridge on friday night. He is black and white, DESCENTED, & about the size of a house cat. He requires a special diet. please help bring our stinker home. If you have any onfo please call Marcy @ 379-9377.

More here:  http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/