The great bridge divide

For those of you who are snowbirds don't be alarmed when you return only to find St Armands Circle is now located just West of the Gil Waters bridge. No they have not moved the circle, just renamed the John Ringling Causeway. The name change was meant to honor Mr Waters for all the time, effort and resources he put in over 10 years to bring this gem to fruition. Apparently the name change is becoming just as controversial as the fight was to tear down the old and put up the new. It might just take another 10 years to put his name up on the sign.

Siesta Keys first fractional timeshare

The Hyatt Siesta Key Beach is made up of 44 designer furnished residences from 1865 to 2920 sq feet. Each residence will have a private terrace shaded by canvas awnings and include everything one expects in a multimillion dollar beach front home. Units start at $140,000 for a 1/16th (three weeks) deeded fraction and includes a 365 day year after year membership in the exclusive Hyatt Siesta Beach Cabana Club. For further information contact me

Sarasota Schools get good marks

This month The Florida Department of Education released its 2008 grade report and it showed that Sarasota County continues on its road to excellence. The district maintained its A status.. 83 percent of regular district schools received A’s compared with 78 percent last year.

95 percent of the district’s elementary schools received A’s. Two of its five high schools earned A’s and four high improved one letter grade.

Only two schools received lower grades this year than they had last but no school received a D or an F.

The report issued by the State also contains results of how many schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress under the terms of the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The percentage of students who must test at the proficiency level for a school to make AYP increased this year from 51 percent to 58 percent in reading and from 56 percent to 62 percent in mathematics.

To read more of this report visit the Sarasota County School Board website

What's Playing?

This Wednesday Florida Studio Theatre presents "Southern Comforts" by Kathleen Clark. This is a late-in-life love story about a caustic old widower warmed back to life by a merry widow with a honeyed accent. Their funny, awkward, and enchanting romance is filled with sweet surprises and unpredictable tribulation. Told with warmth and perceptive humor, this Off-Broadway success is an affecting journey of compromise and rejuvenation, of personal risk and the rewards of change. http://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/show_shows.php?id=262

New Sarasota VA National Cemetery Dedicated

On Sunday June 1, the US Dept of Veterans Affairs broke ground and dedicated the Sarasota VA National Cemetery. Located 4 miles east of I 75 off Clark Rd. the 295 acre site will provide full burial options for nearly 400,000 veterans living in the Sarasota area. The opening of this cemetery signifies our nation's ongoing commitment to care for the men and woman who have served with distinction in the US Military.

One Giant Kiss

Each year artists display their works along the waterfront in Downtown Sarasota. Back in 2006 a 26 foot high sculpture of the famous photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstadt (who coincidentally was my neighbor in Jackson Heights NY in 1962) of a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J Day in New York City, 1945 for Life Magazine was by far the biggest hit. Almost since its departure there has been an effort by some to bring it back. Finally through the efforts of Tom Savage, a local philanthropist, and others it will once again grace the bayfront this coming winter. After that it will probably be moved to a location further inland.

Highest sales figures since March 2007

Homes sales in the Sarasota MLS for May 2008 stood at 627- the highest level in 14 months and approx. 92% higher than the sales in January 2008. Pending sales were also at the second highest level since June 2006 standing at 692. Inventory levels were the lowest since February 2006 which all indicates a nicely recovering marketplace.

Sarasota's oldest marina to receive a facelift

The Sarasota Yacht Center, a 1920s era, nine acre downtown marina on Whitaker Bayou is about to undergo a face lift that will include a four-level, 45 foot high storage facility for boats up to 45 feet long, a gas station, a three story 132 room hotel and a 5,500 sq. foot restaurant. Another added bonus for residents of the many new condos recently built nearby.

Another Florida College Football Team?

Presently the Bulls, Gators, Seminoles and the Hurricanes are the 4 Florida college football powerhouse teams but that won't be for long says Florida Gulf Coast University President Wilson Bradshaw who recently stated that in the next few years after some final construction projects on campus they will be ready to put a new team in place.

Planting a garden? Go Native

Planting a native garden will save you water, use little if any fertilizer and insecticide, and give you a beautiful, strong healthly landscape for years to come. You can start your search at Forida Native Plants which has just celebrated it's 25th anniversary. They sell over 100 indigenous species and are presently adding local wildflower seed and seed mixtures along with Florida edibles. Soon they plan to add a six acre feature that will demonstrate how to restore ponds and woodlands. At the end of Fruitville Rd. take a right and they are the first driveway on the right. Phone is 941 322 1915

Fishing is worth big bucks

This week the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council released a report that stated commercial and recreational fishing injects more than $8 billion into Florida coastal communities and speaking of that anyone who enjoys fishing should take note that it appears that the Tarpon are back in big numbers and Mangrove Snapper are out in force at the moment.

A Dogs Night Out

No longer are hot dogs the only dogs you'll find at the ballpark. Sarasota now has a designated night that you can bring your dog or 2 to the local ballgame. Sponsered by the Humane Society the game features not only the Sarasota Reds but pet vendors, live entertainment, training demos, and more.

4th of July week is one of my favorite

In Sarasota 4th of July festivities are much more than hotdogs, hamburgers and fireworks. People come from all over the world to join us for a week of Grand Prix excitment. The Suncoast Offshore Powerboat Race and Festival from June 28 to July 6 each year includes a huge kickoff party, golf tournament, parade of boats through downtown, boat races, and of course fireworks on the bay. While this is all huge fun there is a serious side to the weeklong event. It's a giant fundraiser for The Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped. Hope we'll see you here next year.

City of Sarasota has been designated as a Preserve America Community

Preserve America is an initiative to educate about America's endangered history and the need to preserve it. First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of the Preserve America initiative, designated the City of Sarasota as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities. “Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment,” Mrs. Bush said. “This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.”

Siesta Key Farmers Market

For many years the Sarasota Downtown Farmers Market has been a popular attraction and now Siesta Key would like to follow suit. In last weeks county commission meeting an ordinance was approved to move this idea a giant leap forward. Commisioner Jon Thaxton thought the idea was so good he would like to see others sprout up around the county as well. I for one am definitely in favor of the idea because not only is the produce mostly local but it's a chance to meet and greet the locals on a weekly basis.