Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Drainage improvement project progressing

For full article:

https://www.amisun.com/2024/06/10/dr...t-progressing/

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry updated commissioners on June 6 about the drainage project on Avenues A and B.

“This commission made a major improvement to an area in need without burdening the taxpayers,” Perry said of the $2.69 million appropriation from the state for the drainage project on Avenues A and B.

Perry gave a history of the project that included changes in engineering companies as well as changes to the plans, and reported the latest progress.

“I’m pleased to tell you today that we’ve gotten a major segment of B done,” she said.

[wondermint2]

Mayor accepts responsibility for misplacement of palms

For full article:

https://www.amisun.com/2024/06/10/ma...ment-of-palms/

BRADENTON BEACH – At the June 5 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, Mayor John Chappie accepted responsibility for the Florida Department of Transportation-mandated removal of the newly planted coconut palm trees on Gulf Drive.

“I did make a mistake at the beginning when we had the 19 palms that were planted in the FDOT right-of-way and that’s all on me,” Chappie said.

The trees were planted the week of April 24 on the Gulf Drive South roundabout and traffic islands as part of a CRA-approved project that included Bridge Street. The $50,000 coconut palm project is a public-private partnership between the city and developer Shawn Kaleta’s Beach to Bay Investments LLC.

That portion of Gulf Drive South is a state road and falls under the jurisdiction of the FDOT. The city was notified by FDOT that coconut palm trees are not allowed on state roads due to safety concerns about visibility, along with falling fronds and coconuts.

[wondermint2]

Four candidates qualify in Anna Maria

https://www.amisun.com/2024/06/10/fo...in-anna-maria/

ANNA MARIA – The first week of Anna Maria’s two-week candidate qualifying period saw city commission chair Mark Short and former city commissioner Brian Seymour qualify to face each other in the race to succeed departing Mayor Dan Murphy.

Seymour is the business owner of the Anna Maria General Store on Pine Avenue and the co-owner/ operator of the City Pier Grill business that leases city-owned space on the Anna Maria City Pier.

Incumbent Commissioner Gary McMullen qualified to run for a city commission seat, as did former charter review committee Chairperson Chris Arendt. McMullen was appointed to the commission in January and now seeks election to a full two-year term. Arendt seeks his first city commission term.

Short qualifying to run in the mayor’s race means he must vacate his current city commission seat, win or lose, after the general election in November.

This creates a third opening to be filled in the general election – or filled later by commission appointment if no additional commission candidates emerge during the second and final week of qualifying.

Anna Maria’s qualifying period ends on Friday, June 14 at noon. Qualifying packets can be obtained from the city clerk’s office or the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

[wondermint2]

Top residential real estate sales for May 27-31 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ands-bird-key/

A two-property sale in Yonker tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Ohana Trustee LLC, trustee, sold two homes at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive to SISP 33704 LLC, trustee, for $19.75 million. The first property was built in 1950, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,933 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,296 square feet of living area. They sold for $11.4 million in 2019.

[wondermint2]

FST stages a delightful celebration of Broadway hitmakers Kander and Ebb

For full article:

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/...080216690.html

Over the course of their more than 50 years as collaborators, composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb crafted songs that touch on just about every human experience and emotion in more than a dozen Broadway shows and films.

For the third time in about 20 years, Florida Studio Theatre is celebrating the genius of this legendary partnership in a delightful new production of the smart and engaging revue “The World Goes ’Round.” It features about two dozen songs, many of them major hits like “Cabaret” and “New York, New York,” along with refreshing, jazzy and harmonic arrangements of less familiar numbers that offer surprises for those who know them best.

[wondermint2]

Things to do:

SRQ DAILY Jun 11, 2024
TUESDAY DINING AND FOOD EDITION

For the full columns:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2024-06-11

[wondermint2]

North Port to host 65th birthday celebration

https://www.newsbreak.com/north-port...ay-celebration

NORTH PORT — The city of North Port is celebrating its 65th birthday in mid-June at the City Center Green.

North Port officially became a city on June 18, 1959.

The public is invited to attend its birthday party from 4 to 6 p.m June 18 at 4970 City Hall Blvd.

There will be a variety of activities and treats at the “birthday bash,” including an opportunity taking a photo with a flightless, replica hot air balloon.

The hot air ballon is a payment of homage to North Port’s history.

According to ”Out of the Wilderness,” a book about the history of North Port, there was once a hot air ballon hovering over the northern part of the city. It was a “commercial venture” that went on for 20 years.

It soared the sky, above the North Port Estates from 1982 to 2002.

About 3,500 people went up for a ride in the North Port ballon during the two decades.

The city’s name, along with an advertiser’s, was put on the balloon for business, but it was also used to promote the young city.

“North Port has come a long way since its incorporation in 1959, and we are excited to come together and honor our city’s rich history and bright future,” City Manager Jerome Fletcher said. “This is North Port’s biggest year yet and I’m looking forward to what North Port is going to become.”

For more information, visit northportfl.gov

[wondermint2]

Man saves South Jetty tree

For photo:

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...uth-jetty-tree

VENICE — Hurricane Idalia swept through the area in August, causing destruction to the South Jetty, resulting in its current closure.

However, the jetty itself was not the only victim of Idalia. A tree, at the jetty's entrance in Humphris Park, was slightly uprooted, catching the attention of Venice resident Mike Clukey.

He knew the tree would die with its roots exposed and Clukey would go on to lobby Sarasota County officials, which saved the tree last week.

For 12 years, Clukey and his wife have visited the South Jetty, enjoying its serenity.

"This is my happy spot," Clukey said.

His hobbies include landscaping, plants and trees. Now, he works on the landscaping committee of his neighborhood HOA.

"I can appreciate the benefit of trees and what they do to the environment," Clukey said. "Trees are so important."

Upon noticing the distressed tree in Humphris Park, Clukey began emailing county officials of his concerns.

After about five months of communication, Clukey saved the tree when the county brought out dirt and packed it around the tree.

"My wife came home and said, 'Guess what?' And sure enough, they had fixed it that morning," Clukey said.

While the jetty is damaged, awaiting repair, the tree stands tall in Humphris Park due to the diligence of one person.

"I am just glad it got taken care of," Clukey said. "What I do is no more than any concerned citizen. If you see something and you think it needs attention, you say something."

[wondermint2]

‘Diamond of the Sea’ mermaid sculpture finds permanent home at CoolToday Park

For photo:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/06/1...ooltoday-park/

NORTH PORT, Fla. (WWSB) - The Atlanta Braves announced the installation of the stunning sculpture “Diamond of the Sea” at its permanent home, CoolToday Park, the Spring Training Home of the Atlanta Braves.

Crafted by the esteemed artist David K. Griffin, this piece celebrates the harmony between art and sport, enriching the ballpark experience for fans and visitors alike.

The Atlanta Braves are glad to be able to support the arts by donating to the Venice Art Center to bring “Diamond of the Sea” home to CoolToday Park. This extraordinary sculpture not only enhances the ballpark experience but also serves as a lasting tribute to charitable endeavors and the artistic legacy it represents. “Diamond of the Sea” can be viewed in full glory on the CoolToday Park Plaza.

[wondermint2]

Graci McGillicuddy Named to Florida Women’s Hall of Fame

Plus, the Sarasota Audubon Society named its new president and more.

For full article:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/new...s-hall-of-fame