By Jane Bartnett
Sarasota County News
Hurricane season begins June 1. In preparation for the 2026 season, Sarasota County will host a free Community Conversation on Hurricane Preparedness on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota. Registration is required. To register, visit scgov.net/CommunityConversations. Exhibitor and partner booths will be open in the courtyard from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. to noon, officials from the National Hurricane Center, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Sarasota County Emergency Management will discuss how to prepare. Attendees are asked to arrive early to pass through the school’s security system.
Updates on the Phillippi Creek dredge project, designed to reduce flood risk for more than 44,000 homes and critical evacuation routes, are available at scgov.net/government/stormwater/phillippi-creek-dredge.
A new Sarasota County Chemical Collection Center serving south county opened March 30 at 8750 Bee Ridge Road. Hazardous materials may be brought to the center Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility provides a safe solution for household hazardous waste disposal. The Bee Ridge Road location will remain open when an additional Chemical Collection Center in Venice begins operations. The original facility was damaged by Hurricane Ian. For more information, visit scgov.net/SolidWaste or scgov.net/HazardousWaste.
April 24 will be the last day a portion of the Route 77 Siesta Islander Breeze bus connecting Siesta Key to downtown Sarasota will operate. Sarasota County commissioners voted to eliminate this segment as part of cost-cutting measures. Breeze service between Turtle Beach and Siesta Key Village will continue.
Awards for Siesta Beach
Siesta Beach was named one of the World’s 50 Best Beaches, according to Forbes in February. It was the only U.S. beach on the list, ranking No. 42 worldwide. The rankings were based on votes from more than 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers and evaluated beaches on criteria including natural features, wildlife, accessibility and overall conditions.
Siesta Beach also ranked No. 6 in the United States in Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Beaches.
Restaurant News
The Shebeen Pub, formerly of Siesta Key, is expected to open soon in Gulf Gate. DineSarasota ranked the pub No. 3 on its February Hot List. Chef and owner Eileen Carrigan was also honored by the New World Celts Sarasota Chapter with the Frank Shea Memorial Award for Irish Culture, recognizing her support of Irish heritage and community.
Siesta Key’s The DUO Döner & Deli ranked No. 4 on the list, and Bean Coffee House came in at No. 19. In Gulf Gate, Nikki’s Greek Cafe ranked No. 10 and Mouthole Smash Burgers No. 13.
Lenny’z Pizza in Crescent Plaza is seeking local musicians to perform at its newly expanded open-air bar. Visit lennyz.com for more information.
Show off your talent at karaoke nights every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Capt. Curt’s Sniki Tiki Bar, 1200 Old Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key.
At the Library
Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources’ new Culture Pass offers free or discounted access to local theaters and museums for adult residents with a library card.
Passes can be reserved online using a library card and PIN. Participating venues include Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Urbanite Theatre, Big Cat Habitat, Imagine Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Additional partners are expected. Most venues allow one pass per year per patron and only one active pass at a time. Visit sarasotacountylibraries.org/culturepass.
Residents can also check out a free Wings in the Wild Birding Backpack Kit or explore the Eco-Explorer Kit, designed to inspire outdoor adventure and environmental awareness through books, gear and activities for all ages.
Beach Yoga
Free yoga classes are offered on Siesta Beach every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 941-303-2162 or email yogaonsiestabeach@yahoo.com.
Mote Breakthrough Benefits Fishers and Sharks
Mote scientists announced a research breakthrough involving fishers and sharks. Studies show an electronic pulse device can deter sharks from taking fish off lines, potentially reducing shark depredation — the loss of catch or gear to marine animals.
Researchers found that bonnethead sharks were more than 45 times less likely to consume bait when exposed to an active electronic pulse device compared to an inactive one.
