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By Jane Bartnett As the light of day begins to fade, the sky over Siesta Beach takes on a soft, rosy glow. It’s that magic hour just before the sun sets. Quietly, a group gathered and placed yoga mats on the cool, white sand. Several feet behind the blue and green lifeguard stands near the […]
By Mike Cosentino There are five soldiers in the background for every soldier on the front lines. That’s right. From turning wrenches to cooking food to delivering supplies, and countless other tasks, military success begins and ends with teamwork. We’re proud here at Siesta Key’s Patriots Pier to honor each and every member of our […]
Enjoying the arrival of lucky Fire Station No. 13 Q: Please share a bit about your career path that took you to your position as Sarasota County’s fire chief, including some details about your time on Siesta Key.A: My career started in the city of Sarasota when the city had its own fire department. Prior […]
By Jane Bartnett For Siesta Key’s own resident artist and forever beach boy who made the island his canvas, it was a fitting final tribute. On the evening of Oct. 9, Shawn McLoughlin’s family and friends came together in numbers more than 100 strong at Siesta Beach to give a fond farewell. It was a […]
After an extensive nationwide search, Out-of-Door Academy’s board of trustees has announced the appointment of Debra Otey as the next head of school, effective July 1. The academy’s lower school is located on Siesta Key. James Connor currently is serving as interim head of school for the 2021-2022 school year. Otey was selected from a […]
Living the dream, selling the dream Q: Share with us your history with Siesta Key. A: No matter where I go in the world, the pull of Siesta Key always calls me home. My history on the Key has been a long one. I’ve lived in Northern California, Siesta Key, Santa Monica, Siesta Key, New […]
Weighing in on a place he cherishes and helps nurture Jon Thaxton is senior vice-president for community investment with the Venice-based Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The organization has been named one of the “best nonprofits to work for” nationally by The NonProfit Times in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2020, and 2021. It is the philanthropic home […]
We say ‘shell yeah!’ to a local artist and volunteer Q: You are a vendor at the weekly Siesta Farmers Market, selling your shell-themed decor you call a Little Piece of Paradise. The shells you use are found right here on the island. For starters, what first brought you to Siesta Key? A: I moved […]
Still drumming up a Siesta Beach sensation A: It was originally started by David Gittens, a local polymath who organized a full moon drumming ceremony in 1993 by the site of the “grandmother tree” on the south end of Siesta Key. It was attended by nearly a dozen drummers and one dancer and was led […]
By John Morton If you love the sport of fishing, making a day of it is where it’s at. “What we do is designed for people who are willing to fish all day,” said Rob Roberts, captain of the 40-foot Tightlines II boat that travels deep in the Gulf of Mexico off Siesta Key. “We […]