The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at  pubcom@scgov.net .    Sandy Claws Beach Run returns to Siesta Enjoy a run and lots of holiday fun as the 38th Annual Sandy Claws Beach Run returns to Siesta Beach on  Dec. 13 . The brilliant, white, pure quartz sand is hard-packed, making for fast finish times. Or, set a leisurely pace and take in the tranquil beauty of what's been named one of America's best beaches. Sarasota Chalk Festival at the Venice Airport Sarasota Chalk Festival at the Venice Airport,  Nov. 14-17 , located at 900 Airport Ave, E. Venice, FL Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Competition Twenty-four Master Sand Sculptors from around the world will compete in the 5 th  annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic presented by Margaritaville ® .  Get 'Down n' Dirty with free Extension series Come experience a fun wa...

Nov. 1, 2012 Greetings! Welcome to the new Sarasota County Community Connections.  Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, or just let us know how you like the new look, at  communityconnections@scgov. net.   Give your garden wings at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County's Butterfly Workshop SATURDAY:  UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County will host a Butterfly Workshop from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota. 'Fall back Nov. 4,' and change smoke alarms and weather radio batteries SUNDAY:  The end of daylight saving time and the start of local standard time on Nov. 4, when clocks get turned back one hour, serves as a reminder that it is time to change smoke alarms and weather batteries.  County government office closings for Veterans Day All Sarasota County government offices, including libraries, recreation centers and the Sarasota County History Cen...

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Sign up for Master Gardener training   Do you have a green thumb or gardening skills that make others envy your landscaping? Or would you like to learn about gardening in Florida?   The Sarasota County Master Gardener program is accepting applications for its next session, which begins Sept. 3. The application deadline is Friday, June 11. An introductory class on the Master Gardner program will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Sarasota County Extension Service office at Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota.

Ted reminds us that Sarasota's branch of IFAS has a whole Autumn calendar of programs to help with landscaping, bug control, Florida yards, bees, spiders, organic gardening, even bedbugs and retirement planning. Get the complete brochure here . IFAS is UF's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences , a terrific resource. The local office is right in Twin Lakes Park .