The latest Community Connections

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Extension open house offers tips for a sustainable holiday season
Image of holiday wreathFind out how to go green for the holidays and learn more about Sarasota County Extension.

From 1-4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10, Extension agents will provide tips for a sustainable holiday season during the open house at the Extension office at Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota. Among the demonstrations planned are:(MORE)

Phillippi Farmhouse Market celebrates grand re-opening Nov. 3
Logo image of Phillippi Farmhouse MarketPhillippi Farmhouse Market opens its second season on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota with a grand re-opening celebration from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with music, speeches and product giveaways. The market specializes in fresh, local produce, including fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and organic and hydroponic produce. Prepared foods are available to eat at the market picnic-style or take home. There are also sustainable, specialty and Florida agriculturally related products. (MORE)

Growth vision approved for Fruitville Initiative
Picture of landA build-out vision for the 420 acres adjacent to Interstate 75 and north and south of Fruitville Road is now an adopted policy with Sarasota County's comprehensive plan.

Sarasota County commissioners approved the changes to the comprehensive plan Wednesday, Oct.
27, after years of discussions about what was appropriate development for the area, described by
many as a gateway to Sarasota. The land currently carries designations as a major employment center
and moderate density residential on the future land use map. (MORE)

For more background on the Fruitville initiative, see earlier post on the Fruitville Special Planning Area comp plan amendment.

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Bee Ridge Road Public Hearing: Update

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Water Moccasin or Water Snake?

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At the Lakeview Park Clean-Up, some residents were picking up some branches of a tree when a dangerous Water Moccasin slithered out and dashed into the water. It might be useful to know one when you see it, but the differences between the venomous Florida Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth) and the wholly harmless Water Snake can be subtle. Here are a few images and links that might help. First, here's a Water Moccasin Another shot of a Water Moccasin (click for a huge image): Here's the plain old harmless Florida Water Snake: Another clue (thanks Ray): When in water, Water Moccasins move on top of the water - almost as if they were gliding on the surface, like this: Water Moccasins are to be met with extreme caution. "When a moccasin is nesting or has her young in their nest it will aggressively defend that area," says Ray. "Moccasins have aggressively attacked people." Water Snakes tend to be partly submerged, partly out of the water, more like this: Click f...
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A bit of Lake Sarasota history

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