News
Farewell to one fine host
By John Morton Alex Kouvatsos always made his presence felt. However, when he joined his son Tom at Siesta Key’s Village Café as a “retiree” in 2008, he had to find a way to fit in to a certain extent.“When he first arrived, he would pound his fist on the table when he wanted to […]
After Easter, alternating closures will commence
By John Morton Sporadic east-lane closures have begun as part of the $3.6 million, 250-day repaving project along Midnight Pass Road but use of the center turn lane as a straightway has kept traffic going in both directions for now.The first phase of the 1.6-mile project, which began Dec. 4, will focus mostly on daytime […]
No ruling on lawsuit
Judge gives no timeline after hearing Ramirez case By John Morton The interpretation of codes, ordinances and comprehensive plans dominated the four hours of testimony heard by Judge Stephen Walker of Sarasota County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court on Jan. 6, as both parties in a lawsuit involving the county’s approval of a high-density hotel hoped […]
Fate of record-breaking listing a mystery, for now
By Jane Bartnett A $32.5 million Siesta Key real estate listing at 4221 Higel Ave., brokered by Mark Coppens of Living Vogue Real Estate of Sarasota, broke records for luxury real estate listings of residential property and homes for sale on the island in late 2022.In early January, however, the listing was removed from Multiple […]
Living
‘We are the hidden jewel of Siesta Key’
Turtle Beach Resort & Inn offers a secluded tropical paradise on the south end of the island By Jane Bartnett After seeing the musical South Pacific for the first time, I became enchanted with the idea of visiting those magical islands. Whenever I hear the song “Bali Hai,” I picture the handsome young Navy officer, […]
Thanks to the trolley, getting around here is a breeze
By Jane Bartnett There’s something special about trolleys. They are much more fun to ride than a bus. San Francisco may have one of the most famous trolleys of all, but the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley has become a celebrity in its own right. Visitors from around the world have taken a ride and the […]
Tales, triumphs and tribulations of a chef’s life
By John Morton Marisa Mangani had a burning desire for a life in the kitchen, then burned out on it all. So, what did she do next? She designed kitchens! In fact, the kitchen at Sun Garden Cafe in the Siesta Key Village was one of her projects, so naturally business owner Rick Monroe invited […]
Reeling in the years
Captain Rick Grassett made a hobby into a career that has cast him as a local fishing phenom By Ned Steele The waters around Siesta Key swarm with redfish, sea trout, tarpon and innumerable other denizens of the sea. If you’re a serious angler eager to know where to find them, what makes them tick […]