Holiday Schedule    As we head into the Christmas weekend, we'd like to remind everyone regular business hours at City facilities will vary over the next week and garbage, recycling and yard waste collection will be impacted for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 

City administrative offices will be closed Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, and the day after Christmas, Tuesday, December 26, as well as New Year's Day, January 1, 2018.  

 

Christmas Day (Mon., 12/25): NO garbage, recycling & yard waste collection.  Collection will be one day later.  Monday pick up will be on Tuesday (12/26) .  Tuesday pick up will be on Wednesday (12/27) .   

New Year's Day (Mon., 1/1):   NO garbage, recycling & yard waste collection.  Collection will be one day later.  Monday pick up will be on Tuesday (1/2).   Tuesday pick up will be on Wednesday (1/3) .  

 

All rec facilities will be closed Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, and New Year's Day-- except for Lido Pool, which will be open the day after Christmas (12/26) from 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., and Bobby Jones Golf Club, which is open every day of the year.     

 

 

 

Bobby Jones - On Christmas Day, our historic municipal golf course Bobby Jones will have limited hours with 18 holes of regular play available until 9 a.m. and 9 holes until 11 a.m.  Also, Bobby Jones will host the 10th Annual Reindeer Games  starting at 8:45 a.m.   

 

The day after Christmas and New Year's Day, Bobby Jones will be open regular hours:  6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 

There will also be plenty of opportunities to ring in the New Year in downtown Sarasota. The annual New Year's Eve celebration will be held on Sunday, December 31, including a carnival around Selby Five Points Park, starting at 1 p.m. and the annual Pineapple Drop at the intersection of Main St. and Lemon Ave at midnight. 

This free event attracts more than 20,000 people to downtown Sarasota each year. Parking will be available at the State St. and Palm Ave. garages for $5. 

A fireworks show will also begin at midnight at Marina Jack. These events are Sarasota traditions and great ways to welcome the New Year! 

 

For a complete list of facility closures and hours, visit  www.SarasotaGov.com.

   

From safeguarding the community to monitoring the City's drinking water supply to keeping our municipal golf course open for a bit of recreation, City employees fill many roles to ensure the City is operational 365/24/7.   We appreciate their dedication working during the holidays and send warm wishes and a heartfelt thanks to all.

 

Christmas Tree Disposal     For those who put up a real (natural) tree this year, trees will be picked up curbside during regular yard waste collection.

 

Please make sure all lights, decorations and tree stands are removed before placing it at the curb. No need to bag the tree or put it in a container.    

 

All Christmas trees will be collected and recycled with the City's other regular yard waste.   

Winter Wonderland Festivities   Congratulations to Parks & Rec Director Jerry Fogle and his dedicated team for hosting the most successful Winter Wonderland extravaganza to date!

 

Hundreds of families descended upon the Robert L. Taylor

	Making holiday cookies at the Winter Wonderland party.

Community Complex last week, where children met with Santa and shared their wish lists, made holiday cookies and played games.  Thanks to the generosity of the Sarasota community. Dozens of new toys for children of all ages were given away as raffle prizes, including fidget spinners, bicycles, stuffed animals, action figures, basketballs, mini stereo speakers and much more.

 

We appreciate staff at RLTCC going above and beyond to make this a special family-friendly event and a joyous time for all. 

     

FDOT - U.S. 41 Update   The demolition of the median on U.S. 41 between 10 St. and 14th St. is now underway with crews removing the vegetation as they prepare to turn the median into a temporary southbound lane.

 

An 8-inch potable water line serving residents is located within the

	Vegetation is being removed from the medians.

median and the State of Florida's contractor is taking extra precautions -- hand digging -- to ensure it is not disrupted.  City staff has been in close conversations with the contractor about this matter -- and the project as a whole -- and we appreciate their attention and vigilance.  The work is being done at night to minimize the traffic impact.    

 

Also to lower the impact on motorists, the traffic shift will not occur until after the busy holiday season. Crews expect to pave and re-stripe southbound U.S. 41 the second week in January, at which time the temporary lane shift will begin.              

 

We're keeping close tabs on this improvement project, which will increase traffic flow on U.S. 41 by adding roundabouts at 10th St. and 14th St. and increase pedestrian mobility and safety with wider sidewalks and enhanced lighting. We'll continue to keep you posted with updates.