News
County leaders receive the Little Sarasota Bay lowdown
By John Morton Some perspective, some advice, some optimism, some words of both wisdom and warning.The presentation delivered by David Tomasko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, to the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on April 11 ran the gamut. That makes sense, considering the prospect of restoring Midnight Pass has many moving […]
Commissioner seeks traffic measures
By John Morton Concerned about the ever-growing chaotic congestion on Siesta Key, Sarasota County commissioner Mark Smith on April 11 received support from his colleagues to explore some measures to combat safety issues.For starters, he’d like to expand the speed cushion pilot program to the south business district, namely at where both Stickney Point Road […]
Village restrooms to be discussed
By John Morton Mark Smith, the Sarasota County District 2 commissioner who represents the northern half of Siesta Key and resides on the island, has asked that the topic of constructing a public bathroom in Siesta Key’s Village be included as a capital improvement item during a May budget hearing. He requested in March that […]
Donation could put mini-reef program in fast lane
With 50/50 offer, project leader hopes to add 215 structures to Siesta Key canals, bringing total beyond the halfway point By Ned Steele Can the Key’s canals and waterways once again sparkle with clear water and teem with healthy marine life? An ambitious project to achieve just that takes a big step forward this month, […]
Living
Meet the captain
Siesta resident Greg Anderson generously leads the way through canal waters By Ned Steele As a teenager growing up on Siesta Key, Greg Anderson used to swim its inland waters with youthful joy. Once, he even water-skied around the entire island.The canal water “was so clean and pristine,” he recalls. “Beaming with fish, energy, and […]
A mini version of the lifeguard stations we love
Whether they be magnets, ornaments or paperweights, Mark Palmer is producing a smash hit in the form of Siesta Key-inspired trinkets By Jane Bartnett Siesta Key’s brightly colored lifeguard shacks have long been a symbol of the island’s iconic beach and island life. Artists, filmmakers, photographers and writers have captured their images and memorialized the […]
Going the distance, once again
Longtime Siesta Beach lifeguard Robert Martini is set to brave another grueling endeavor for a charitable cause By Hannah Wallace At midnight, on June 25, Siesta Beach lifeguard Robert Martini will push off from Bimini in the Bahamas and begin paddling his surf-ski straight out into the darkness. His hopeful destination? Lake Worth, Florida, 80 […]
Bump, set, spike — a local delight
By Jane Bartnett For beach volleyball players, playing a match or two on the soft, white, powdery sand at Siesta Beach is pure heaven.On a breezy mid-April afternoon, a vacationing family from Long Island, New York, was celebrating its 15-year-old son’s birthday and enjoying a competitive game of beach volleyball on Siesta Beach.“Best birthday ever,” […]