The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

This Saturday, April 3, bring the kids out to the Rothenbach Park Eco-Egg Hunt. Instead of eggs, we'll be picking up Air Potatoes from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. - bring the family! wear socks and tennis shoes have some pink lemonade kids will win candy for their efforts. Air potatoes are an invasive plant that harms native vegetation and disrupts native habitat. This event is designed as a fun way for young and old to give back to your community. At Rothenbach Park, 8350 Bee Ridge Road Take Bee Ridge east past I-75, until it dead ends at Rothenbach Park. Continue into the park, past the gate, turn right and park in the playground/shelter area.

Check out the new Lake Sarasota Group on FaceBook  - join, upload photos, events, more. Another way to find out what's going on, and to interact with the neighborhood. Note: to join the group, you first need to join FaceBook. Takes about five seconds.

A set of keys has been found in front of 6642 Mauna Loa. If they're yours, call Mark: 445-2232.

The Lake Sarasota Community Group met Thursday evening at a new location that everyone seemed pretty happy with, Sarasota Alliance Church , 7221 Bee Ridge Rd. The group decided to hold its meeting there next month, again on the second Thursday, April 8. Highlights: 1. Citizens Patrol is more necessary than ever. Incidents doubled from January to February. A particular crime hot spot is 4100 block of Lancaster. There was also a break-in on Luwanna - Ted was still waiting to receive the latest Sheriff's report. Ted has requested more Sheriff's patrols here, especially between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and says the Sheriff says they'll do that. "We do need folks to volunteer for Citizens Patrol," said Ted. Call him ( 379-0758) or email him at  TCover6161@aol.com . 2. Yard of the Month signs keep disappearing - three new signs will be ordered, for a total of $75. People are also checking on costs of obtaining new meeting signs. 3. Sue Whetzel from County Parks an...

Here are the homes participating in the March 13 Yard Sale so far -- be sure to contact Sandy at 321-5582 to add your address, and don't forget, Thursday is the General Meeting, Sarasota Alliance Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Rd ., at 7 pm. View Lake Sarasota Community Garage Sale - 3/13/2010 in a larger map

Residents are reporting a rash of automobile break-ins centering around the 4100 block of Lancaster. Be advised, and alert, and make sure your doors are locked! Some of these incidents occurred during the night - 1:30 a.m. one time, and 4 a.m. another.

A message from Sandy: Hi, there! We are planning another garage sale on Saturday, 3/13. Please email me to be put on the maps  (Sandy's email: sallen11@comcast.net ) we will be handing out at the entrance. We will also be handing out flyers again and I need volunteers to help go door-to-door to deliver them. Other events coming up: March 11 - Next Thursday: We'll be meeting at Sarasota Alliance Church , 7221 Bee Ridge Rd., from 7-8:30 pm in room #103 (classrooms in back building ~ last room to left after entering double doors). April 14 - trying to get a Lake Sarasota networking event together. Business Directory  - $20 for a business card-sized ad. Deadline is April 17. They will be delivered around May 1. Please let me know if you want to be included in the garage sale and if you can help me distribute flyers. Thanks! Sandy Lake Sarasota Events

SARASOTA COMMUNITY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ULTRA HIGH-SPEED INTERNET Sarasota, FL: A community effort is underway to bring an experimental ultra high-speed internet service to Sarasota, and you can show your support for it. Google plans to launch a test system in a select few locations in the United States for a fiber network with unprecedented speed. The experimental system would provide internet connections 100 times faster than what most Americans currently use, according to information released by Google. Google is asking municipalities throughout the nation to submit information about their communities via a Request for Information (RFI), which will be used to determine where the experimental networks will be built. Civic groups can also nominate their community. A group of community leaders within Sarasota is working to provide the requested information to Google by the deadline Fri., March 26, 2010. To learn more about the fiber network project visit here and here . To show ...

April from SCOPE sent this, adding "I want to personally invite you to this event and to ask if you could help me by sharing it with others in Lake Sarasota, or with anyone else in your circle who are particularly passionate or touched by about issues related to aging. [FYI we have scholarships so the cost ($30) should not be a barrier for anyone.]" Explore the complexities of aging. Discover ways to enhance our community. Featuring: Phyllis Moen, PhD: McKnight Presidential Chair in Sociology, University of Minnesota Michael Smyer, PhD: Provost, Bucknell University Reservations Required 8:30am-2:00pm RSVP to (941) 365-8751 Chelsea Center Event Cost: $30 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Continental Breakfast and lunch will be served. ...

Dear   Friend , National Wildlife Week, March 15-21 , is conveniently timed with the first week of daylight savings this year. Take advantage of the extra hour you’ll gain to spend quality time outdoors with your family. National Wildlife Federation offers  fun hands-on activities for kids and adults  alike to help you gear up for spring. Start getting wild this season with activities like making  winter art with your kids  and  identifying birds  in your backyard or a local park. These outdoor activities are perfect for the whole family (and friends) to do together. Don’t forget to mark your calendar to celebrate  National Wildlife Week  in March. Participate by committing to National Wildlife Federation’s  Be Out There campaign , which gives back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: a connection to the natural world. Help your kids foster a lifelong love of wildlife. There’s a reason they call it...

According to an email fowarded from a neighbor, police are investigating a home burglary that occurred yesterday, Feb. 18, on Luawanna. The home was broken into through the front door. A TV and a safe were among the items stolen. If anyone saw anything or anyone suspicious, please contact the Sheriff's office. Also, if you happen to see any evidence - papers, broken safe, etc., please contact them as well. This is yet another reason why Citizen's Patrol needs your support. Contact Ted at 379-0758, or email him at TCover6161@aol.com.