Sarasota Film Festival:  Homeless Panel Discussion   The 17th annual Sarasota Film Festival opens tonight at the Opera House with "Time Out of Mind", which tells the tale of a homeless man, played by Richard Gere, living on the streets of New York City.  This screening is particularly timely with the roll out this week of the recommended action plan to address the chronic homeless issue in Sarasota.  I anticipate this film will help spark further discussion about the issue. 

Several short films on homelessness will be screened on Sat., April 11 followed by a formal panel discussion.  I will be one of the panelists and I look forward to continuing the discussion about the City's next steps as the community works collaboratively to address the chronic homeless issue.  The films will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Opera House and the panel discussion is expected to start around noon.  Admission is $14.

A total of 180 films will be shown during the week-long festival including documentaries, shorts, features and many family friendly movies.  For a complete film guide click here.  Good luck with your selections.  See you at the movies!
      

Old Bradenton Rd. - Green Bike Lanes   They've been long anticipated and this week green bicycle lanes started to appear on Old Bradenton Road.  The lanes literally are bright green. 

This is a bicycle safety trend that is becoming popular in communities

Crews applying a green resin and epoxy to the asphalt to create a green bike lane.

-- and the green bike lanes on Old Bradenton Rd. are the first in Sarasota County.  The idea is that the bright green color will grab drivers' attention and serve as a reminder to be careful and share the road.

The green lanes will be on both sides of the road stretching 1.5 miles from University Parkway to Dr. MLK, Jr. Way.  Crews plan to work this weekend (on Saturday and Sunday) to finish applying the green material.

So far, the feedback we're receiving is positive.  What do you think?

State Street Garage - Update    State Street between Orange Ave. and Lemon Ave. is now temporarily closed during the daytime.  We anticipate State Street will reopen to one lane of traffic on Fri., April 17.  This closure is necessary while installation of a new water line begins and the concrete facade panels are placed on the structure. 

Earlier this week, crews encountered some unexpected difficulties with the water line beneath Orange Ave. and, unfortunately, the intersection closure at State Street was extended longer than anticipated.  We're making every effort to reopen Orange Ave. for the weekend.

In the meantime, crews are making good progress installing the parking garage facade panels, and we're starting to get a feel for what the design of our new State Street Garage will look like. We're looking forward to seeing more.  This is an exciting time for our downtown!

We ask for everyone's continued patience.  Expect intermittent street and lane closures in that area for the next couple of months.  To see a revised work schedule, click here.

At this writing, we're on target to open the Garage in mid-May and then continue with intermittent lane closures as the road is repaved and new sidewalks are installed. 
   

N. Lido Park - Invasive Tree Removal    We're taking action in North Lido Park to make it a more Florida native habitat.  Next Monday, April 13, crews will begin to remove 34 invasive Australian pines from the park.  The exotics will be replaced with native trees and vegetation by the end of the month.

As an invasive species, Australian pines have a negative

One of the invasive Australian pines that will be removed from N. Lido Park.

impact on the ecosystem, including preventing native vegetation from growing and thriving.  That, in turn, leads to less habitat for birds and other small animals. 

N. Lido Park will remain open during the tree removal, which is expected to wrap up by next Friday, April 17.  Residents and visitors may see and hear heavy machinery in the area approximately 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. 

While most of the trees will be chipped and hauled away, some may be re-purposed as makeshift benches for park visitors. 

We're able to accomplish this park revitalization with a matching grant from the Florida Division of Forestry.  They gave us $10,000 and the City matched that amount.

Thanks to Todd Kucharski in our Public Works Department, who oversees our parks, for securing the grant and for coordinating with Sarasota County, which operates the park, to get the work done.

Bobby Jones Golf Club - Men's Tournament   We're gearing up for another tournament at Bobby Jones Golf Club!  The annual Men's City Championship will be held over two weekends:  April 25 & 26 and May 2 & 3.

The tournament is open to any male amateur golfer.  (If a registrant is under 16 years old, a handicap index below 14.0 is required.)  The entry fee per golfer is $185, which includes greens fees with riding cart each day, tee gift, four beverage tickets, tournament awards and award banquet.

To download an application click here.  Completed entry forms must be received by Mon., April 20 at 5 p.m.

Golfers will play 72 holes on the British Course over four days on back-to-back weekends.
 
This is the 44th anniversary of the Men's City Championship and we're looking forward to another successful event.   

RLTCC - Sam Shields Basketball Tourney   The Robert L. Taylor Community Complex will be the scene of a fun -- and competitive -- 5-on-5 basketball tournament this weekend.  The Sam "Sticky" Shields Basketball Tournament starts tonight, April 10, at 6 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 10 a.m. 
As you may know, Sam Shields is one of our hometown heroes -- a native Sarasotan who now is a NFL cornerback with the Green Bay Packers.  He's also a big supporter of our RLTCC.  Besides putting his name on the tournament, Sam will be there in person and will be available for an autograph session following the championship game on Sunday morning.

Currently, six teams are signed up to compete for a $2,000 cash prize which will be awarded to the grand champion team.

A $2 donation is being accepted at the door.  All proceeds will go to benefit youth programs at RLTCC.

It should be a fun tournament!  Bravo to the staff at RLTCC for coordinating what is expected to be another terrific community event.