The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Check out Paddle Sarasota, a clickable map that leads to more detailed maps of 12 kayak and canoe trails, along with detailed information about nearby sites and points of interest along each one. == The county's calendar has drop-down lists so you can find events by type. E.g., for nature walks, under the "All Events" tab just click on Nature Walks, click "Go" and here's the list for August. If you're looking for a wide array of recreational activities, click the tab to Parks and Rec, click "Go," and you get more than you can possible get to. == To check out the scene at Siesta Beach from home, click on the Siesta Beach Cam. == All the above and more - links to dog parks, park acquisitions, therapeutic recreation etc. etc. can be found on the county's Parks and Rec site .

It seems the flashing light at Mauna Loa that indicates the presence of children on their way to school is still programmed to operate even now, in midsummer. Here's the ambiguity. In some neighborhoods, schools apparently are being used during the summer - there are schools where crossing guards are present along with the flashing lights. This makes it difficult to simply assume any particular school warning light is simply the result of inattention on the part of whoever is supposed to be attending to it. If anyone knows who to call to have our light shut off for the remainder of the summer, please drop a note, or leave word in the comments below, or take the initiative and call them direct. Thanks.

New monthly R-Card pass provides unlimited rides on SCAT and MCAT R-Card For the first time, bus passengers in Sarasota and Manatee counties will be able to purchase a monthly pass that provides unlimited rides on all Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) and Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) routes. The new "R-Card" costs $60 and is good for 30 days after first use. Seniors with a Medicare or Gold card, as well as disabled persons, can purchase a discount R-Card for $30. (MORE)   ==== BeachCam delivers high-definition view of Siesta Beach Siesta Beach A live, high-definition panoramic view of Siesta Beach is available to anyone on the websites of Sarasota County and the Sarasota County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The new BeachCam gives a 180 degree view of Siesta Beach's 99.9 percent pure quartz sand to show that it's open and full of beachgoers. The BeachCam button is on the Sarasota County website at  www.scgov.net   and will be available on the C...

Lake Sarasota community cleanup scheduled July 24  It's time to clean out the garage and gather up yard waste. Sarasota County will hold its annual community cleanup in the Lake Sarasota area from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24. Dumpsters will be provided by Waste Management and will be available at two locations for materials from residents. The locations are: The northwest corner of Tora Place and Brentford Road by Fire Station 8. Tires and appliances will be accepted only at this site. 7100 Lago Street in front Lakeview Paw Park. Residents can dispose of most appliances, household items, scrap materials, unbundled yard waste and other materials during this free event. Paint, pesticides, auto parts, televisions, computers and other hazardous materials won't be accepted. Sarasota County employees will be available at each site to offer assistance. Hazardous waste may be taken to the Sarasota County Chemical Collection Center, 8750 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, fr...

Some highlights of the July 2010 Meeting: - The  Neighborhood Clean-Up will take place on Saturday, July 24,  from 8 a.m. to the afternoon. Dumpsters supplied by the county will be near the Fire Station and next to the Dog Park on Hand Rd. - Residents of Lake Sarasota came to report a house owned by an absentee landlord where criminal activity is suspected. They were given some advice and will keep us posted on developments. - Ted as always welcomes new volunteers for Citizens Patrol . He noted that in June, there were nine incidents reported to the Sheriff from Lake Sarasota: three burglaries, four thefts, and two juvenile disturbances. The dates and times of the incidents formed no clear pattern, but occurred towards the beginning and end of June. To sign up, contact him at 379-0758, or at TCover6161@aol.com . - A tentatively planned neighborhood gathering that was scheduled for July 17th has been cancelled , and will be rescheduled at a later, hopefully cooler, dat...

The July meeting of the Lake Sarasota Community Group takes place this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Sarasota Alliance Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, in the back building. On the agenda: Update on planned community events. Treasurer's Report Citizens' Patrol - Ted is looking for volunteers - contact him at 379-0758, or at TCover6161@aol.com - he's a busy guy, so don't delay! Update on developer's proposal to create a special taxing district for 23 acres between the Western edge of Lake Sarasota and I-75. Other business as may arise.

Just an FYI: A mass mailing from the Property Appraiser says TRIM notices will be mailed out in August. These are the notices of proposed property taxes. They are not a bill, but an estimate of your taxes based on new assessed value. While the paper notices are due in August, the mailing indicates that they will be available for viewing on the Property Appraiser's Website in early July: www.SC-PA.com 

If you're downtown tomorrow around 5 p.m. in the area of Marina Jacks, look for some baskeball hoops. For $3 kids will have three shots and can win t-shirts, even a free basketball, courtesy of the American Basketball Association, which is reaching out to communities in Florida. The waterfront will of course be crowded tomorrow, and the volunteers working the basketball stanchions as of yet do not know precisely where they'll be, but somewhere around Marina Jacks is most likely. Here's what kids can win, depending on how many throws they sink: Making 0 attempts : no prize - may enter the raffle for a $3 chance . Making 1 attempt : coupon offering from Sporting Goods retailer – may enter raffle drawing @ cost of $2 . Making 2 attempts : Free basketball courtesy You-can-shoot Basketball (While supplies last) – may enter raffle @ cost of $1 . Making 3 attempts : Free ABA team shirt courtesy of sponsor Champs Sporting Goods (While supplies last) – automatic qualifying en...

If you're down town tomorrow around 5 p.m. in the area of Marina Jacks, look for some baskeball hoops. For $3 kids will have three shots and can win t-shirts, even a free basketball, courtesy of the American Basketball Association, which is reaching out to communities in Florida. The waterfront will of course be crowded tomorrow, and the volunteers working the basketball stanchions as of yet do not know precisely where they'll be, but somewhere around Marina Jacks is most likely. Here's what kids can win, depending on how many throws they sink: Making 0 attempts : no prize - may enter the raffle for a $3 chance . Making 1 attempt : coupon offering from Sporting Goods retailer – may enter raffle drawing @ cost of $2 . Making 2 attempts : Free basketball courtesy You-can-shoot Basketball (While supplies last) – may enter raffle @ cost of $1 . Making 3 attempts : Free ABA team shirt courtesy of sponsor Champs Sporting Goods (While supplies last) – automatic qualifying e...