Sarasota Music Half Marathon - Feb. 7    Runners and walkers will hit the streets of Sarasota this Sunday, Feb. 7 for the second annual Sarasota Music Half Marathon.  This event has quickly become very popular with runners who come from around the country to participate.

To plan your morning getting around town, here's what you need to know:  The 13.1 mile race will take place from 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.  The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will serve as the start and finish point.  The course takes runners down U.S. 41, over the Ringling Bridge, around St. Armands Circle, then down Orange Ave. and Osprey Ave.  To see a course map click here.

To help ensure the safety of runners, there will be lane closures along the route.  Please note:  Orange Ave. between Mound St. and Osprey Ave. will be closed to all vehicular traffic from approximately 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.  For more details on specific lane and street closures and approximate times click here.

Once again this year, event organizers met with neighborhood groups in advance to discuss the course, lane and street closures, and the expected impact on residents. 

We're told the half marathon is sold out with at least 3,000 runners and walkers expected to participate.  20 bands (the music portion of the Music Half Marathon) will be located in designated entertainment areas throughout the course.  To review a map of where the bands will be located and a description of each musical ensemble click here.

Good luck to everyone!    

Green Business Partnership    With a renewed focus on sustainability, the City of Sarasota is now included in Sarasota County's Green Business Partnership.  This countywide program recognizes businesses which make a concerted effort to function in an environmentally responsible fashion.
  
To qualify as a member, the City was required to document many processes and behaviors including energy usage, water and wastewater and purchasing.  For example,  we showed that the waste generated at City facilities is assessed, and  that printer cartridges, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs are recycled. The City also plants Florida friendly vegetation for landscaping, collects rainwater and uses low flush toilets.  In addition, the City documented that a professional energy assessment was conducted at City facilities, and the City participates in FPL's "Business On Call" program which gives the City a monthly credit for authorizing FPL to cycle off the air conditioning if absolutely necessary.  There are many other examples of how the City is taking steps to be more sustainable.

Over 200 businesses belong to the Green Business Partnership.  Individually, the organizations benefit from cost savings and healthier work environments.  Collectively, the Partnership promotes members via marketing and a directory, which lists each business, giving consumers an opportunity to locate and patronize businesses committed to the environment.  Click here for the directory.

Kudos to Sustainability Manager Stevie Freeman-Montes for taking the lead and ensuring the City of Sarasota is part of the Green Business Partnership!

Employee of the Quarter - Joe Cascio    Once every three months, we recognize an employee who has gone above and beyond and provided exceptional service.  During the City Commission meeting Monday night, Public Works employee Joe Cascio was honored as the Employee of the Quarter for his diligence getting to the root of a problem which saved the City $100,000 in potential liabilities. 

Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell recognizing Joe Cascio as the Employee of the Quarter.

The City received two claims originally deemed to be sidewalk issues; however, after a thorough and meticulous review of the area, Joe discovered the claims were not the City's liability, but due to other circumstances.  While in the process of reviewing the issue, Joe talked with the business owner about the water problem and even helped to caulk the front of the store to prevent further damage during the investigation. 

Joe has been with the City of Sarasota since October 2014, and as a supervisor in the Streets and Highways Division of the Public Works Department, oversees 17 people. 

Congratulations, Joe -- and thank you for serving with excellence and pride!