The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

The absurd proposal for a waste facility at the Celery Fields revealed some disturbing facts about  how planning has been failing the people of Sarasota County. E.g., Sarasota's land use map is out of date, its multiple codes do not mesh, and County planners apparently are not required to consult the community, or notify anyone of major changes to, or sales of, public lands. The County is working on updating - and will have public meetings beginning Sept. 20th.  Lots of info and a survey here. The public "workshops" are in Nokomis for some reason: Public Workshops Location: Nokomis Community Center, Main Hall 234 Nippino Trail Nokomis, FL 34275 Dates:  September 20th – Public Workshop No. 1 October 18th – Public Workshop No. 2 November 7th – Public Workshop No. 3 Time: 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible.

Wednesday ,  August 6 .  7-8:30 PM The Meadows Candidate Forum 2004 Longmeadow, Sarasota   Thursday,  August 7 , 6 PM Republican Party of Sarasota Will be a Meet & Greet Candidates Sahib Shriners, 600 N. Beneva Rd, Sarasota Thursday,  August 14 , 6 PM League of Women Voters Will be a Meet & Greet Candidates Selby Library, 1331 1 st  Street   Friday,  August 15,  6 PM Rep Club of South Sarasota County Will be a Meet & Greet Candidates Shamrock Community Center, 3900 Shamrock Drive  

SARASOTA, FL – Sarasota County residents must be registered to vote by Monday, July 28 to be eligible to vote in the Primary Election on August 26, according to Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent. To register, one must complete a Florida Voter Registration Application . Applications are available at supervisor of elections’ offices, city halls, county libraries, county offices, and social service agencies and may be downloaded from the supervisor of elections (SOE) website at  www.SarasotaVotes.com . Dent also recommends that voters visit the SOE website to verify their registration and precinct information prior to going to the polls to vote. Just click on “Voter Information” in the main menu and then select “Voter Lookup” or “Precinct Finder” and follow the easy instructions. A voter who has moved, had a name change, or needs to update his or her signature since the last election may do so by completing a Florida Voter Registration Application. Voters may call the su...

A good disaster preparedness plan provides a margin of safety protecting you, your family and your neighbors. Having a disaster plan improves your communities’ ability to recover. County Preparedness Info here . Shelter locations . Evacuation map .

Here's a list of places to enjoy around our area and farther afield, but all in Florida. If you have any to add that aren't here, or discover something needing updating, drop us a note or leave a comment - thanks. MANATEE Anna Maria Island Historical Museum: 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria Learn about its rich history, complete with settlers, characters, the original city jail and tour the cottage that sat on the CIty Pier and fell into the Bay. Summer hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday May 1-October 31. Admission is free. Information: 941-778-0492. earn about its rich history; complete with settlers, characters, the original city jail and tour the cottage that sat on the City Pier and fell into the Bay Open Tuesday- Saturday 10-4:00 pm November-May 10-1:00 pm June-October Braden Castle Village: One Office Drive, 27th Street East and Manatee Avenue, Bradenton The castle was once the heart of a rambling sugar plantation built by Joseph Addison Braden and h...

The Sarasota real estate market continued an amazing streak in July, with members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® closing 911 sales during the month - a 30.3 percent increase over July 2012, and 3.2 percent higher than the June 2013 total. The first seven months of 2013 are still tracking to make the overall year one of the biggest in SAR's history. The other major news of the month was the major rebound in the median sale price for single family homes. The price went from $200,000 in June 2013 to $227,500 in July 2013, a 7.2 percent increase. For the 12-month rolling median price, the single family home figure was at $195,000, a 16 percent increase over last year at this time when the rolling median price was at $168,500. If current trend levels continue, this will be the biggest year-to-year increase for single family home prices in four years. "With sales up dramatically and prices also trending upward, the popularity and strength of the Sarasota market is unquest...

SARASOTA - Sarasota County has lifted a boil water advisory that was issued Aug, 2 after a water main break at the intersection of Bee Ridge Road and Sarasota Golf Club Boulevard. The break disrupted service to approximately 100 residential and business customers on the north side of Bee Ridge Road at Aberdeen Drive, Walden Pond Drive, Rollins Pond Way, Kosten Way and Hagen Lane. Several heath care facilities were also affected. They included Live Oak Manor, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, CAE Healthcare and Complex Care Hospital at Ridgelake.  All customers are being notified by an automated telephone call that the boil water advisory has been canceled. For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at  941-861-5000  (TTY 7-1-1 or  1-800-955-8771 ).

Greetings! Welcome to Sarasota County Community Connections. Please share this with family, friends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, at  communityconnections@scgov.net Memorial for firefighter   FRIDAY:  A memorial service will be held Friday, May 11,  for Firefighter and Paramedic Deborah Schuster,  who served as a member of the Sarasota County Fire Department for 10 years. Got overdue books?   Relax. Sarasota County libraries forgives you. From May 14-19, patrons with overdue items may  return them without penalty  to any Sarasota County library. Items must be returned in person. Fines will not be waived for items returned in book drops or by mail. County awards contracts Sarasota County has awarded  contracts totaling nearly $1.8 million  for construction of the Bee Ridge Road Force Main Replacement Project and  the P...

Greetings! Welcome to the Sarasota County Community Connections eNewsletter. We hope you share this enewsletter with family, firends and neighbors. Contact us if you have questions, ideas for featured articles, or feedback on the system at email communityconnections@scgov.net Thanksgiving holiday closings Sarasota County government offices, including libraries, the History Center and recreation centers, will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Here is a list of those closings, along with some county services that will be available Friday, Nov. 25. County begins contract negotiations for administrator Sarasota County has begun contract discussions with  Randall Reid for the position of county administrator . Reid is currently county manager for Alachua County, Fla. Sign up for the spin cycle Cycling enthusiasts, walkers, runners and inline skaters will converge on downtown Venice for...

One of the fascinating pieces of equipment used to bore channels under the road for the water lines being installed on Lago and Jarvis:

The Jan. 29th Florida Tax Amendment is now being debated, but the details are still unclear to many. Below are a few links that might help: VoteSmart Voter Guide News Summary of Amendment, debate Florida Tax Watch Explanation Florida Tax Watch Discussion More material from Florida Tax Watch This story is still developing, and coverage and commentary will intensify over the next three weeks. Stay abreast of the news by googling the Florida Tax Amendment . The Tax Amendment will be discussed by the Sarasota County Tourist and Economic Development Board: Please join Sarasota County's Tourism and Economic Development Board on Tuesday, January 15, 6 PM, Nokomis Park Community Center, 234 Nippino Trail, Nokomis in presenting a panel discussion to educate our community on the upcoming January 29th Referendum! Forward to friends and all interested parties! Please call Carolyn Keber if you have any questions: 941-861-5075. Hope to see you there!

These are some of the birds that live, nest, and raise families in Lakeview Park, and along the edges and on the little rookery island in Lake Sarasota. They offer quite a variety of species. All photos were taken by Lynne, who lives on the lake. This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog "When you come to Lakeview Park, bring your camera and binoculars," says Lynne, adding,"our good fortune at having these beautiful birds in our midst comes with a responsibility to protect them."