Cocoanut Ave. Infrastructure Improvements   On July 5th, the Utilities Department will begin another significant capital improvement project to further strengthen the integrity of the city's wastewater system and lessen the risk of sewage overflows and spills in our coastal community.

Crews will begin replacing a 50-year-old AC (asbestos cement) force main pipe in downtown along Gulfstream Ave. (McAnsh to Cocoanut Ave.) and on Cocoanut Ave. (Gulfstream Ave. to 4th St.) 

This  24-inch line is a critical part of the city's wastewater system, carrying one-third of the wastewater from downtown and the barrier islands to the City's treatment plant on 12th St.  With the force main at the end of its expected lifespan, it needs to be replaced.  Traditional open-cut and directional bore construction will be used, which will present some unavoidable impacts on pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

July 5 - Aug. 31: Cocoanut Ave. will be partially closed between Gulfstream Ave. and Palm Ave. to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.

July 5 - Nov. 15: Eastbound Gulfstream Ave. south of Main Street will be closed.

July 24 - Sept. 15:  

• NB Cocoanut Ave. will be closed between 1st St. and 2nd St.
• NB Cocoanut Ave. will be closed between Fruitville Rd. and 4th St.
• EB & WB 4th St. will be closed east of Cocoanut Ave.

Age-Friendly Festival - Oct. 28   A global campaign is underway to bring awareness to the benefits of healthy, engaged living for all residents -- no matter the age.  And, we're pleased to join the Age-Friendly movement!

Spearheaded by The Patterson Foundation, Age-Friendly Sarasota is working with leaders within the community to focus on inclusivity as demographics change and lifespans extend.

This is a thoughtful approach to addressing issues with the philosophy, "If it's good for those who are older, it's good for all."

As a municipality, there are many opportunities to weave age-friendly elements into the community: from building codes, to parks and rec programming, to planning wider sidewalks, to appropriately placing sitting benches, to training our City employees on how to interact with all ages.

We will be part of the Age-Friendly Festival on Sat., Oct 28 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, where staff will have a chance to discuss how we're being a proactive age-friendly city.  Organizers are planning a  fun experience for families with entertainment, food trucks, and interactive exhibits.  Admission will be free -- for attendees and those interested in presenting -- thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation. 

The fall calendar fills up quickly in Sarasota, so we encourage you to save the date now:  October 28.  To learn more visit www.AgeFriendlySarasota.org or find them on Facebook. 

July 4th - Holiday Schedule    City administrative offices will be closed on Tues., July 4 for Independence Day. 

Garbage, recycling and yard waste will be collected one day later on Wed., July 5.

Hours of operation at some parks & rec facilities will vary:

• Bobby Jones Golf Club:  6 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Children's Fountain:  CLOSED
• Lido Pool: 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
• Robert L. Taylor Community Complex: 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

 

 

With festivities for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix kicking off this weekend with a golf tournament and car show, it's gearing up to be a busy time.   

 

The "Boats on Main" Downtown Block Party will be held on Friday, June 30 starting at 6 p.m. on Main Street (between Orange Ave. and Palm Ave.)  The festival is open to the public with free admission.

The races will be held July 1 & 2 off Lido Beach.

   

The Powerboat Grand Prix races will be held Sat., July 1 & Sun., July 2 with most spectators heading to Lido Beach to watch the action.  Reminder: Tents, chairs, blankets etc. are allowed on the beach after sunrise.  Please be mindful of where you're walking and swimming and share the beach with our seabirds, turtles and dolphins who call the area home too.  (More on this below.)

 

The festivities wrap up on Tues., July 4 with a traditional, patriotic Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular at Bayfront Park starting at 9 p.m.  

 

For more information visit www.SarasotaPowerBoatGrandPrix.org   

 

Thanks to Lucy Nicandri and her team with Suncoast Charities for Children who bring the Grand Prix to Sarasota each year, raising funds for special needs children while gaining national exposure for the Sarasota region.   

 

We also would like to note that the 4th of July weekend is one of the busiest times for our Sarasota Police Officers.  We appreciate them sacrificing holiday time with their families to ensure the community is safe during the celebrations. 

 

     

Share the Beach   To raise awareness about the importance of respecting the natural habitat of seabirds, turtles, dolphins and other marine creatures, the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix recently launched an education campaign called "Share the Beach".

If you're on the beach, be careful where you're walking.  Black skimmers are nesting in the sand and with the shoreline eroding, there's precious little space between the water, sunbathers and birds.
Also, watch for sea turtles. Typically they lay eggs at night, so to protect the nests no one is allowed on Lido Beach before sunrise starting this weekend, June 25 - July 10.

On the water, adhere to all posted speed zones and please be on the lookout for dolphins and our state and federally protected manatees.  Give way to them...it's their natural habitat.

For more information and tips about coexisting nicely with our wildlife, click here. 

The following is a list of shows through Dec. 2017.  To view the entire Van Wezel season visit www.VanWezel.org