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Showing posts from December, 2010

Parking Garage opens in time for New Year's Eve

After nearly 20 years of community discussion, the Palm Avenue parking garage, located northwest of the Palm Avenue and Main Street intersection, will open to the public tomorrow Friday, December 31 at noon. The contractor, Suffolk Construction, will receive a temporary certificate of occupancy allowing the facility to open in time for New Year's Eve celebrations in downtown. Parking will be free for the first month. The garage will be open daily 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Sarasota Nature Activities in January

Nature Events for all ages in January 2011 here. Click on anything that looks interesting for more info.

Lakeview Park Fish Have a Very Merry Christmas

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Those of you who know Lakeview Park may be aware that ever since a pump was installed about 18 months ago, the canals have retained a steady water level. This has nurtured a lively population of bluegill, tilapia, a few bass, frogs, wading birds and other creatures. A few weeks ago, that mini-ecosystem was threatened when the pump gave out. As it's been dry, the water level in the canals began to drop - slowly at first, then precipitously. A plea to the Parks Dept. resulted in an incredibly rapid response. First, a temporary pump was installed to halt the draining. Then, within a very short time, a new submersible pump was installed. The new system is quiet but strong: within 36 hours it brought the water level of the park's entire canal-and-pond system back to where it had been, without appreciably lowering the lake. To the Santas at Sarasota County Parks and Rec , on behalf of the water creatures, the neighborhood and all who enjoy the park, our deepest gratitude, happy holid...

Why no loan modification?

At the last meeting of LSCG, Sandy Allen spoke about how low-priced homes in Lake Sarasota are being snapped up, but banks refuse to work with families who live in them. In line with that, here's a story from NPR about Wells Fargo foreclosing on homeowners , then selling their home to "an investor" for 1/5 of their mortgage, who flipped it two weeks later.

Another cold one

Latest Severe Weather Alert For: Sarasota County Emergency Management -- Sarasota County, FL Condition Yellow Freeze Issued: 12:25 PM EST Wed, Dec 15, 2010. Valid: 06:00 AM EST Thu to 09:15 AM EST Thu Temperatures 30 - 32F Discussion: For tonight, areas near the coast will stay above freezing early Thursday morning, but inland areas could see a light freeze. A low of right near or just below the freezing mark is anticipated inland of the coast.

Weather alert

Latest Severe Weather Alert For: Sarasota County Emergency Management -- Sarasota County, FL Condition Yellow Freeze Issued: 1:37 PM EST Tue, Dec 14, 2010. Valid: 03:00 AM EST Wed to 09:30 AM EST Wed Temperatures At or Below 32F Discussion: A light freeze is expected in the area overnight, with lows ranging from the upper 20s to low 30s. Areas right along the coast could stay just above freezing.

Beginning to look a lot like...

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Got a nominee for most dazzling house of the season? How about outstanding blocks or streets in Lake Sarasota? Send locations of your nominations and we'll post them. Send pics too if you can! LakeSarasota@gmail.com .

December 2010 Meeting Notes

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At the Dec. 9th meeting, the Lake Sarasota Community Group (LSCG) now has $442.14 in the treasury after making a donation of $1000 for our Adopt-a-Family project. In other business: 1. No Santa Claus :The group decided not to ask the local Firehouse to do a Santa visit this year, since the time to advertise the event was very short. 2. Meeting Schedule : The group decided to move to a quarterly meeting schedule, with other meetings possible if circumstances dictate. The next meeting will be the second Thursday in March: 3.10.11. 3. Real Estate : According to Sandy Allen, there are now fewer homes in foreclosure in Lake Sarasota than there were. Also, an investor is said to be interested in purchasing homes on a short sale basis. Sandy says any homes listed for $100K or less are drawing numbers of interested would-be buyers. Sandy promised to update us on the situation at our next meeting in March. 4. CrimeWatch: According to Ted, there were fewer incidents in November. 3 burglaries, ...

Santa visits Lakeview Elementary

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Members of the Lake Sarasota Community Group delivered $1,000 in gift cards to Lakeview School on Wednesday. The cards will go to 10 children from five eligible Lake Sarasota families designated by the school. The funds were raised at the Nov. 6th  Adopt-a-Family Festival at Lakeview Park. Thanks again to all who helped make the event a success.

Final Meeting of the Year

Lake Sarasota Community Group will meet for the final session of the year tonight, Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7.p.m. at 7221 Bee Ridge Rd. The agenda so far consists of the usual items, and a $20 gift card to a very nice seafood restaurant will be raffled off at the meeting. Come out and get involved!

Light Freeze on the way

From County Emergency Services: Latest Severe Weather Alert For: Sarasota County Emergency Management -- Sarasota County, FL Condition Yellow Freeze  Issued:  12:13 PM EST Mon, Dec 06, 2010.  Valid:    06:00 AM EST Tue to 08:30 AM EST Tue Temperatures 30 - 33F Discussion:       Cold air continuing to spread through the Southeast will lead to a a risk of a light freeze over portions of your region tonight. Inland of the coast, a low in the lower 30s are expected by sunrise Tuesday.

County events this weekend

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Via the Community Connections newsletter: Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at VCC Saturday   Holiday shoppers looking for a one-of-a-kind gift should visit the Holiday Arts and Crafts Show at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, Saturday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Vendors will offer a variety of arts and crafts including unique hand-crafted jewelry, quilts, paintings, handbags, holiday ornaments, and much more. Food vendors will be available and parking and entry are free. For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000. Weekend holiday events at the libraires   Saturday, Dec. 4 Family Holiday Party, a Jacaranda Library tradition. There will be songs, refreshments, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Make some special holiday take-home crafts. Saturday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Call 861-1275. Sunday, Dec. 5 1800s Christmas at North Port Library from 1-5 p.m. Treat yourself to an evening of music, adult and children's cra...

Scam Warning from the Sheriff

Scam Warning Those of you who signed up to receive our press releases have already heard this warning but the information bears repeating. Transient criminals return to Florida this time of year to victimize residents, often using the ruse of home repair work to gain your trust. You can  read more here , but one scam that wasn’t discussed is someone offering to repair your roof and asking to come inside to show you the signs of damage. When they do, they direct you away from the door so a second suspect can enter the house and take your valuables. Anyone offering to do unsolicited work should provide a business card so you can check out their credentials. Regardless, never hire anyone on the spot. If you sense something is wrong get a description of their vehicle and a tag number if possible, and call the Sheriff’s Office.

Thanks to our advertisers

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The Lake Sarasota Community Group would like to extend a special thanks to advertisers who supported our recent Community Garage Sale. Click on the image to make it larger. All are community-based businesses.