East-coast man drowns here off Crescent Beach
A tragic drowning incident occurred Aug. 27 on Siesta Key. According to a press release from law enforcement officials:
“The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a death investigation.
“Deputies were called to the 1000 block of Seaside Drive at Crescent Beach in Sarasota just after noon on Saturday for the report of a drowning. Deputies along with paramedics responded and attempted to render aid, however, the victim died on scene.
“Detectives identified the victim as Francisco Telesforo Campos La Nuez, DOB 01/05/46, of Hollywood, Florida. Next of kin has been notified.
“It is unknown at this time if the victim’s death is medical in nature or is the result of drowning. Detectives do not believe there is any foul play involved.
“Like in all death investigations, the victim’s official cause of death will be determined and released by the Medical Examiner’s Office.”
County officials are reminding residents and visitors that Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Rd., is one of six county beaches that provide lifeguard services. They are on location daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and in their lookout stands from 10 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
According to Sarasota County public relations, county lifeguards made 175 rescues in 2021 and have made 50 through July of this year.
Next Siesta Key Association meeting is Thursday, Oct. 6
The Siesta Key Association civic group meets the first Thursday of each month. The October meeting will be on the 6th from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in St. Boniface Church’s community room, 5615 Midnight Pass Rd.
If interested in becoming a member of the Siesta Key Association, email the organization at info@siestakeyassociation.com.
The fee for membership is $35 per year.
McFarland event is Oct. 11 at Siesta Key Wine Bar
Florida state Rep. Fiona McFarland, who is running for re-election in November for her District 73 seat, is holding a meet-and-greet social event at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Siesta Key Wine Bar, 5138 Ocean Blvd., suite C, in Davidson Plaza in the Village.
To RSVP, contact Kevin Hoffman at RSVP@thearchmanngroup.com.
Siesta Key Safe Treats event is 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31
The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and local businesses are sponsoring the annual Siesta Key Safe Treats event from 3 to 6 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31.
Trick-or-treaters should look for balloons at participating businesses.
If you’d like to become a participating business, contact Mandi Green with the chamber at mani@siestakeychamber.com
Walks/runs in October benefit charitable causes
A pair of charitable outings on Siesta Key are slated for October.
The Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold a beach walk to raise funds on Saturday, Oct. 1 on Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Rd. Check-in is 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m.
The goal is to raise $45,000 toward the cause. You can also support a walker.
To register and for more information visit fight.cf.cff.org.
On Sunday, Oct. 16, the Sarasota Laps for Life 5k will be held at Siesta Beach. It runs from 7 to 11 a.m., beginning and finishing at the yellow lifeguard stand with runners headed south at the start.
The event supports families with a pregnancy or with the parenting of young children through education, counseling and material assistance.
To participate, visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/SiestaKey/.
Siesta Key Association makes mini-reef push
Another widespread effort of installing mini-reef filtration systems in Siesta Key’s Grand Canal will take place in October, project leader Jean Cannon reports. She hopes to install 15 to 20 more during the month, adding to the approximately 250 that currently exist on Siesta Key — 210 of them being in the Grand Canal.
“I want to double that amount by this time next year,” said Cannon, a member of the Siesta Key Association civic group.
The mini-reefs are ideal for anyone with a dock. Cannon said there are 873 homes with docks on Grand Canal alone.
The reefs cost $325 and play a large role in regenerating the area’s damaged aquatic life. Visit the Siesta Key Association’s website at siestakeyassociation.com and click on the “projects” tab for more information.
“We’re already beginning to see a juvenile fish population,” Cannon said of the project, which began late last year.
Author: Siesta Sand