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by Stan Zimmerman Plug pulled on downtown lights An $80,000 fiasco came to an end in June when the Downtown Improvement District voted to shut down its multi-colored lights in Five Points Park. They were entwined around the branches of 27 trees, and programmed to change colors to add gaiety downtown. But the district forgot […]
by Stan Zimmerman Even plovers have enemies As Ian Fleming once wrote in a James Bond book, “Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, third time is enemy action.” For the snowy plovers of Siesta Key, it’s looking like a war. The birds are one step up from endangered, as a federally protected species of concern. […]
Catherine Luckner President Siesta Key Association www.siestakeyassociation.com Despite traditional views of winter months as ‘season’ the secret is out; summer on Siesta Beach is glorious. With Gulf water a perfect swim temperature and more daylight hours, everyone here has opportunity for summer fun. School is out and families arrive for memory-making on our island paradise. […]
By Stan Zimmerman Golf carts creep closer to M-Pass Road Sarasota County Commissioners decided to hold at least one public meeting to allow up-graded golf carts to operate along a portion of Midnight Pass Road. The carts are called “low-speed vehicles” and have turn signals, a horn, stop lights and seat belts. They are limited […]
by Stan Zimmerman Women win marathon political race The longest election cycle in Sarasota city history ended May 14 with the election of Susan Chapman and re-election of Suzanne Atwell to the city commission. The election date was moved back a month by the Florida Legislature to ensure members of the armed services would have […]
By Stan Zimmerman Big Pass ebb shoal eyed There are a lot of “island myths” up and down the southwest coast of Florida. One concerns pirate José Gaspar and his island full of captive beauties (named “Captiva” of course). Another is the role of the ebb shoal sandbar north of Big Pass. The sandbar is […]
Some big things ongoing, brewing Downtown By Paul Roat There is one big outdoor art exhibit on display at Sarasota’s Island Park, on the Bayfront off Ringling Boulevard Downtown. Embracing Our Differences is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The exhibit features 39 billboard-size artworks and statements “created by artists, writers, and students from around the world […]
Beverly B. Arias Director Siesta Key Association Whether you have chosen to live here, or are visiting our lovely Florida paradise, Siesta Key can be a welcome respite from a workday routine, a retired career, or the mainland rush. While here on Siesta Key, it would be wise to be prepared to Slow Down! As […]
by Stan Zimmerman Correction: Writing and righting a great wrong I’m a great believer in fixing things up front. In the last issue, I made a grievous error in a story about the end of a city witch hunt that left the city manager and information tech chief looking for new employment despite the lack […]
By Stan Zimmerman City turns Walmart down After eight hours of public testimony and another hour of legal advice, Sarasota City Commissioners voted to overturn the advice of its citizen planning board and reject a site plan for a new Walmart Supercenter in the middle of town. The corporation wanted the store at the site […]