County Community Connections

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One Book One Community 'Hunger Games' wins landslide victory in 'One Book' vote
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins is the winning title for the 2011 "One Book, One Community" program for Sarasota County Libraries and its partner organizations.
A young-adult science fiction novel, "The Hunger Games" received 84 percent of the 4,667 votes. The best-selling novel has remarkable cross-over appeal with adults and is the first book in a trilogy. The popularity of the book has led to a movie set for release in 2012. (MORE)

Volunteers2Training session set June 8 for volunteers in disasters
Sarasota County Emergency Management, in conjunction with the Friendship Volunteer Center, is looking for people to coordinate the work of community volunteers during emergencies such as hurricanes. Training will be offered on managing new volunteers and placing them in the community. (MORE)
Green YardGreen training offered for home energy efficiency
Building professionals, architects, engineers and contractors can benefit from a series of residential energy education classes being offered starting in June.

The classes will provide local building industry professionals with the latest building science for cost effective energy, and water retrofit home remodeling strategies to help homeowners save money. Training is also available to prepare participants to become a certified energy rater in Florida. (MORE)
aia logoLocal firm wins award for design of county park pavilions
ToTems Architecture Inc. of Sarasota has won a statewide award for design of three Sarasota County beach park pavilions. The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects gave the firm a Merit Award for design of the pavilions at Caspersen Beach Park, Manasota Beach Park and Blind Pass Beach Park. The Caspersen pavilion is now under construction. The Manasota project is expected to start this summer. There is no estimated construction date yet for the Blind Pass pavilion.
Now you know ...
Some residents have wondered why silt fencing is installed at Red Bug Slough Preserve. The fencing marks the start of a construction project to build a new restroom facility and sidewalks, make water and wastewater service connections and install a sewer grinder pump station at the preserve. The restroom facilities will be built just north of the existing gravel parking lot off Beneva Road. The work is being done by Coral Sands Construction Inc. of North Port, which was awarded the $185,670 contract in April. Construction is expected to be completed in late October. Funding is provided through Surtax III revenue bonds to be repaid with the infrastructure surtax (penny sales tax).

Upcoming Events

Public meeting on Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Transit Development Plan
Saturday, June 4, 10-11:30 a.m.
Youth Activities Room, Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice

Kids 'Summer Beach Runs'
Beginning June 14, held every Tuesday
Registration starts at 5:30 p.m.
Runs at 6:30 p.m.
Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road on Siesta Key
http://bit.ly/lbXxpc

Kids 'Summer Beach Runs'
Beginning June 15, held every Wednesday
Registration starts at 5:30 p.m.
Runs at 6:30 p.m.
Venice Fishing Pier, 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice
http://bit.ly/lbXxpc

Animal Services shelter offers reduced
cat adoption fees during June
http://bit.ly/iKFCGR

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