Homeless Update: More Emergency Shelter Triage Beds    To help get more chronic homeless into recovery programs, the City has boosted the number of emergency shelter triage beds reserved at the Salvation Army.  These beds are set aside specifically for individuals escorted to the shelter by the Homeless Outreach Teams or the Sarasota Police Department.  The original agreement with the Salvation Army, which went into effect in October, reserved six beds.  That number is now 10 -- with the option for the City to reserve an extra 20 beds at any time.  So, a total of 30 beds can be reserved by the City.

Rather than being cited, individuals thought to be violating the City's lodging out-of-doors ordinance are offered the opportunity to go to the Salvation Army where they will have a roof over their head, meals, and a chance to meet with the City's mental health case workers.  The Salvation Army staff also will work with these individuals and encourage them to voluntarily enroll in programs and services offered by the Salvation Army.

Although it's preliminary, we're seeing early positive results with this partnership, which is one of the reasons for the increased number of beds.  Since October, 53 homeless individuals have been transported to the Salvation Army by SPD.  35 have requested additional social services beyond just emergency shelter -- that's an encouraging 66 percent.  With the help of the Salvation Army, we're moving toward addressing the root cause of the each person's homeless situation, and hopefully, helping to make real improvements with that individual's life.

We appreciate the Salvation Army's continued partnership with us in addressing the chronic homeless living on the streets and we look forward to more positive results and progress in 2016.

Holiday Hours: No Garbage Collection Fri., Dec. 25  City administrative offices will be closed next Thursday and Friday for Christmas.  Please note:  Regular Friday pickup for garbage, recycling and yard waste will be the following day on Sat., December 26. 

City Hall also will be closed on Friday, January 1, 2016 with no garbage collection.   Regular Friday pickup will be one day later on Sat., January 2.

Holiday hours at our recreational facilities will vary:

• Bobby Jones Golf Club:  Open 365 days a year and will host 'Reindeer Games'  (Details below)
   
• Lido Pool:  Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day
   
• Robert L. Taylor Community Complex: 
  -  Thurs., Dec. 24:   Open 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.
  -  Christmas Day:    Closed
  -  Thurs., Dec. 31:   Open 6 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  -  New Year's Day:  Closed

    

Bobby Jones Golf Club - 'Reindeer Games'    For the 8th consecutive year, golfers will don Santa hats and reindeer antlers on Christmas Day and participate in 'Reindeer Games' at our historic municipal golf course. 

'Reindeer Games' is a festive, fun event with a shotgun start at 8:45 a.m. on the British Course.  18 holes with a riding cart is $28.  Also, those with a 'Reindeer Games' receipt will receive a $3 discount on a $13 breakfast served by Mattison's Grille on the Green.

The American Course will be open for regular play on Christmas Day from sunrise to 9 a.m.  Then, 9-hole play will be available until 11 a.m.  Please note:  the last tee time for all courses will be 11 a.m., so our staff can spend part of Christmas Day with their families. 
     

Van Wezel - Gingerbread House Winner!    We're discovering some hidden talents with our staff at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall -- including gingerbread design and creation!

The Van Wezel enjoys a mutually beneficial partnership with Hotel Indigo, adjacent to the Hall.  Earlier this week, the hotel hosted its annual client appreciation luncheon and gingerbread contest ---- and the Van Wezel won the "Best Company" category.  What's particularly impressive is that our very own Booking and House Operations Manager, Victoria Jones, created it.  The 'VW' on the door is perfect -- and the shade of purple just right.  Bravo!
      

CEO Graduation     The North Sarasota Redevelopment Office's Community Entrepreneur Opportunity (CEO) Program celebrated its 18th graduating class earlier this week during a ceremony at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.

The CEO program is a free 12-week Introduction to Business Development Course with classes focusing on all aspects of a business plan from launching a new business to improving an existing one.

Twelve local entrepreneurs were enrolled in this class, and as part of the graduation ceremony, each student presented an overview of their business and how they benefited from the course.  Mayor Willie Shaw was among the attendees, wishing the new graduates well with their future endeavors.  Congratulations, graduates!

The CEO program partners with CareerSource Suncoast and Manasota SCORE, and is sponsored by SunTrust and Wells Fargo. 

  

Under the Category of 'Great Ideas':  'One Book' Program    In commemoration of local author John D. MacDonald's 100th birthday, Sarasota County Libraries is focusing on his works for the 2016 'One Book One Community' program.  A prolific novelist, writing 78 books across many genres, MacDonald lived in Sarasota from 1952 until his death in 1986.  His novel "The Executioners" was adapted to the silver screen and became the popular film "Cape Fear". 
During the next seven months, many events will take place at Sarasota County Libraries to honor John D. MacDonald.  The program will conclude with a celebration at Selby Library in downtown on July 23  -- the day before MacDonald's 100th birthday.

To learn more visit www.OneBookOneSarasota.com