Community Connections

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Greetings!
Welcome to the Sarasota County Community Connections e-newsletter. Please share it with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at communityconnections@scgov.net

New online vendor registration
financial transVendors who want to do business with Sarasota County will be able to use a new, free online procurement system beginning in March. Read how eProcure will simplify the vendor process in Sarasota County.

Author has a way with words 
FRIDAY: Mark Mustain, recipient of the 2011 Florida Book Award for his novel "The Gendarrme," comes to the Sarasota Library series, "A Way with Words" Friday, March 2.

Photo credit: Katrice Howell

Englewood cleans up
SATURDAY: Sarasota County will hold its annual community cleanup in the Englewood area from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3. The cleanup is for residential customers only.

Understanding the nationwide foreclosure settlement 
GavelOn March 7, Sarasota County will host a panel discussion about the $25 billion agreement between banks and 49 state attorney generals to revise existing morgages. Find out where to watch.

Florida building code changes 
Effective March 15, all permit applications and construction documents must comply with the 2010 Florida Building Code. Find out how this may affect you - attend one of these sessions being held throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Cyclovia is back! 
The popular event draws cycling enthusiasts, walkers, runners, inline skaters and people with strollers from around the region. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, March 11, join them as they once again converge on downtown Venice to spin their wheels.

Great American Cleanup set for April 7 
Keep Sarasota County Beautiful has begun registering volunteers for the 2012 Great American Cleanup. The event takes place from 8 a.m. - noon Saturday, April 7, at sites throughout Sarasota County.

District 1 community forum 
Join your District 1 city and county commissioners, along with local experts, March 8, for an important panel discussion on the current state and future of community safety and the evolving structure of education.

Do your 'Civics 101' duty
County SealSarasota County's popular program that shows how county government operates has seats available for the Spring session beginning March 15. Classes are from 9 a.m.-noon every Thursday and are free.

Free tax return assistance
Tax HelpSarasota County libraries and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are offering free tax preparation assistance at area libraries through April 17.

Raise your seagrass IQ
seagrassFlorida waters contain the largest seagrass meadow in the world, including some 16,500 acres of beds along Sarasota County. Find out why we need this precious resource during a free seagrass presentation March 14 at the Siesta Key beach pavilion.
  
First look!
Sarasota County is getting ready to debut its new website.Here's your sneak peak
 
 
 
 
 
Want your very own piece of paradise?
Download color and black and white versions of Siesta Key Beach's new No. 1 sign.
New videos this week 
Dr. Sean Snaith of University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Competitiveness talks about what Sarasota County can expect in 2012.
Sarasota Business Today - Interview with Dr. Sean Snaith, Part 1
Sarasota Business Today - Part 1
Sarasota Business Today - Interview with Dr. Sean Snaith - Part 2
Sarasota Business Today - Part 2

PLUS: Sarasota County libraries and the Baltimore Orioles team up to promote reading.
2012 Legislative Session, Week 7
Your up-to-the-minute report onlegislative actions affecting Sarasota County.
Commission Reports
More headlines    
 
Speakers Bureau
Request a member of ourSpeakers Bureau to share their expertise with your community, homeowners association or other civic group.

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