Remembering Sen. Bob Johnson     We're remembering a great civic leader this week.  Former state Sen. Bob Johnson passed away Monday night in the town he loved and helped shape into what it is today.   Serving as a staunch advocate for Sarasota in Tallahassee and supporting many local cultural arts and civic organizations, he had a tremendous impact on the community.  Upon hearing

Former state Sen. Bob Johnson's legacy will live on for many generations in Sarasota.

the news of his friend's passing, Mayor Willie Shaw issued this statement:

"We express our sincere sympathy to the family of statesman Bob Johnson, long active on the political scene of our state and city of Sarasota.  I thank our King eternal immortal for allowing this person into each of our lives and the impact he had on everyone he came in contact with."  - Mayor Willie Shaw

On a personal note, my wife, Mar, and I got to know Bob and his wife, Pat, over several meals and coffees. When Sarasota became our home three years ago, Bob helped me understand the City by sharing local history, including stories about his Friday night dinners with former City Manager Ken Thompson and former Sarasota Herald-Tribune editor Waldo Proffitt.  These discussions resulted in the City making great strides, including gaining public support for and funding the acquisition of South Lido Park, now named Ted Sperling Park.

It was generous and kind of the Johnsons to welcome us to Sarasota and share their experiences about how changes were accomplished.  A strong and effective advocate of higher education, the environment, public spaces and the Sarasota community, Bob's legacy will live on for many generations to come. 

Memorial Service:
Thurs., September 10 - 1:30 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer - 222 S. Palm Ave.   

Labor Day - City Offices Closed Sept. 7   Administrative offices will be closed this coming Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.  Garbage, recycling and yard waste will be collected as usual. 

Although City Hall will be closed, some departments will have limited

Labor Day is Mon., Sept. 7.

staff working to cover critical functions like public safety, and water/sewer monitoring. Also, recreational facilities including Bobby Jones Golf Club and the Robert L. Community Complex will be open. 

We appreciate all our employees who will be working on the holiday helping to ensure the city runs smoothly.

Children's Fountain - Fall Hours  The day after Labor Day -- Tuesday, September 8 -- marks the beginning of fall hours

Fall hours start Sept. 8:  10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

at the Steigerwaldt-Jockey Children's Fountain at Bayfront Park. 

From Sept. 8 - Oct. 31, hours will be 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (weather permitting). 

The Children's Fountain continues to be a fun, popular place for families to relax and cool off at no cost. 

Osprey Nest - Successfully Relocated   In last week's edition, we mentioned that the City of Sarasota was granted a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove an inactive osprey nest at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex as we prepare to build a new multi-purpose athletic field.

Rather than remove the nest and build a new one as the permit allowed, City staff opted to preserve the birds' habitat as much as possible and relocate the

Using a crane to relocate the inactive osprey nest.

existing nest from one light pole to an adjacent one (which, coincidentally, is on Osprey Avenue).  I'm pleased to report the relocation went well. 

A platform with a perch, custom-built for the ospreys, was installed on top of the new location. The branches, twigs etc. comprising the nest were carefully removed and placed into an over-sized bag.  Weighing approximately 100 pounds, the bag was transported 300 feet to the other side of the athletic field and hoisted another 55 feet up in the air where the nest was reassembled atop the new platform. 

Ospreys are federally and state protected migratory birds.  The two at RLTCC left for the summer in May.  We're optimistic they will return in the fall and settle into their new location.

In the meantime, enjoy highlights of the relocation with this video produced by Sr. Communications Manager Jan Thornburg:

YouTube Video:  Inactive osprey nest relocation.

   

Bobby Jones Golf Club - Urban Wildlife    While we're on the subject of urban wildlife....we have some new residents at our historic municipal golf course, Bobby Jones Golf Club.  Baby gators -- between 16 and 18 -- have been spotted on the American Course with their proud parents close by.  We believe the little ones probably are just a few weeks old since gator eggs typically hatch in mid-August. 

This isn't the first time baby gators have hatched at Bobby Jones.  In fact, for years, papa gator has been seen occasionally sunning on the American Course  --  never bothering any humans.  Golfers, visitors and staff all coexist with the reptiles without issue. Being outdoors and enjoying our vast urban wildlife -- from gators to birds of prey to otters -- is just part of the special experience of playing at Bobby Jones.   

Bobby Jones Golf Shop - Summer Sale    For those who like a good deal (and who doesn't?), the annual Summer Sale is now going on at the Bobby Jones Golf Shop.  Regular priced merchandise with the coveted Bobby Jones logo is now 20 percent off.  The sale runs through September.  Stop by the Golf Shop at 1000 Circus Boulevard!

Robert L. Taylor - Punt, Pass & Kick   The Robert L. Taylor Community Complex will be a local host site for the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition.  Boys and girls ages 6 -15 will compete in varying age divisions to show off their fundamental football skills. 

The event will be held Mon., September 21 at 7 p.m. at the athletic field at RLTCC.  While the competition is an opportunity for local winners to advance to a sectional tournament and ultimately a chance to compete at a Tampa Bay Bucs game at Raymond James Stadium, all participants at RLTCC will learn about the importance of having a positive attitude and practicing their athletic skills.

For more information, including how to register your child or grandchild, visit www.NFLPPK.com or contact Mark Hamilton at RLTCC:  941-954-2694.