BRIEFS from BARWIN
From the Desk of Sarasota
City Manager Tom Barwin
March 11, 2016
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The Newtown Farmers Market officially opened for business last week! City staff members have been working with the Newtown community to determine the market's location, and the City is now offering the use of the parking lot at the Newtown Redevelopment Office, 1782 Dr. MLK Way.  Organizers are starting with a small market selling a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.  In this photo, David Johnson is helping Valerie Buchand bag some fresh greens, as customer Vickey Wilson looks on with anticipation.  The Newtown Farmers Market will be open the first and third Friday of the month 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.  Next market:  Friday, March 18. 

  MEETINGS

  • Community Workshop
    Tues., March 15 - 5:30 p.m.
    City Hall - Room 112
  • Development Review Committee
    Wed., March 16 - 9 a.m.
    City Hall - Room 112
  • Parks, Recreation & Environmental Protection Board
    Thurs., March 17 - 5 p.m.
    City Hall - Commission Chambers
    Agenda
City Career Opportunities
Opportunity, Just Ahead Green Road Sign with Copy Room Over The Dramatic Clouds and Sky.
 

Assistant Purchasing General Manager
Capital Projects Engineer
Counselor-In-Training
Engineer Technician II
Facility Maintenance Tech
    Police Officer, 2nd Class
Rec Attendant
Risk Manager
Spray Tech
Treatment Plant Operator C
Utilities Capital Projects Manager
        Utilities Review of Building Permit Apps
                      


This Week's Items to Know:
1.
Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay - March 13   Planning Ahead - The 11th annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay will be held this Sunday, March 13.

The event will start at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 6:45
Route for the 11th annual First Watch
Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay. 
 
a.m., head north to the Ringling Museum of Art, through the nearby  neighborhoods then south on U.S. 41, across the Ringling Bridge, around St. Armands Circle, then back to the Van Wezel for the finish line.  The event is scheduled to conclude by 10:30 a.m.  For a detailed list of temporary lane closures click here.

This is the longest running half marathon in Sarasota and once again it's sold out.  Organizers are debuting a partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this year which will give 100 individuals an opportunity to raise funds for this worthwhile charity and guarantee them race entry in the sold out event.  For details click here.

Good luck to all the runners!  And, remember: Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday morning...so, set your clocks one hour ahead to ensure you're on time for the race.

2.
FDOT:  Coon Key Bridge Construction  We've been notified by the Florida Department of Transportation that a deck replacement project on the Coon Key bridge has been placed into the construction schedule sooner than expected.  Starting April 4, westbound S.R. 789 (John Ringling Blvd) will be reduced from two lanes to one while FDOT crews make necessary improvements to the bridge.

Two concrete panels on the bridge will be replaced, with the construction work taking place during daylight hours.  FDOT anticipates the project will be finished by mid-July.
The Coon Key bridge will be reduced to one lane starting April 4
due to a FDOT project.


Due to the acceleration of the project, the City now will delay two scheduled improvement projects in the vicinity until the bridge work is completed.  Once FDOT is finished, the City will begin median enhancements as well as construction of a sidewalk near Bird Key.

To see information provided by FDOT click here.


3.
St. Armands Circle - Pedestrian Traffic Management   If you're heading to St. Armands Circle this weekend, keep your eyes out for something new:  crossing guards or Pedestrian Traffic Managers (PTMs).  To help pedestrian and vehicle flow around the circle, FDOT is launching a pilot program to measure the efficacy of
A FDOT crossing guard stops traffic on the Circle as pedestrians safely cross the street.

controlling pedestrians at the crosswalks.

At select crosswalks, crossing guards wearing fluorescent yellow safety vests and hats, are periodically pausing pedestrian movement to allow vehicles to flow around the circle.  After a short time, the crossing guards halt traffic so pedestrians can safely cross the street.

It's hoped the Pedestrian Traffic Managers will help reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles without creating a logjam.

The crossing guards will be in position at St. Armands Circle Wednesdays - Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through April 3.

To read more about the initiative click here.

Pedestrians waiting with a crossing guard while traffic flows
around St. Armands Circle.  
    
4.
Bobby Jones Golf Club -  Men's Sr. City Tourney:  April 2 & 3    Registration is now open for men interested in competing in the 21st Annual Men's Senior City Championship at Bobby Jones Golf Club.

The tournament is open to any male golfer who will be at least 50 Bobby Jones Logo years young by the start of play.  A Super Senior division is also open for those 70 and up.

The event will be played over two days  -- Sat., April 2 and Sun., April 3 -- on the British Course.

The entry fee is $145 per player.  Registration with payment must be received by the end of business on Monday, March 28.  To download a registration form click here.



Upcoming Events 
 
2nd Friday Cruise Night
Fri., March 11
5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Lemon Ave.


Pineapple Antique Show

Sat., March 12:  10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun., March 13:   10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Municipal Auditorium

Spring Fine Art Show 
Sat., March 12:  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun., March 13:  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Gulfstream Ave.
Details

Galilee Cemetery Cleanup 
Sat., March 12
Galilee Cemetery
10 a.m.
Details 

Jazz in the Park
 
Sat., March 12
Noon - 2 p.m.
Fredd Atkins Park
Details

Blue + You Movie Night 
"Annie"
Sat., March 12
7 p.m.
SPD Headquarters:  2099 Adams Lane
Details

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay
Sun., March 13
Start:  6:45 a.m. - Van Wezel
Finish:  10: 30 a.m. - Van Wezel 
Details

Free Tax Preparation 
Mon., March 14
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex
3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Details

Teen Luau Pool Party 
Wed., March 16
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex
Details

St. Patrick's Day Block Party 
Thurs., March 17
2 p.m. - Midnight
Ringling Blvd. & Lime Ave.

St. Patrick's Day Block Party II 
Thurs., March 17
6 p.m. - Midnight
Lemon Ave. & Main St.

Newtown Farmers Market 
Fri., March 18
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Newtown Redevelopment Office
(1782 Dr. MLK Jr. Way)

Details 
    
 

Van Wezel:  Shows on Sale Now! 


The following is a list of shows through April.  To view the entire Van Wezel season visit www.VanWezel.org 
 
 
Gordon Lightfoot
Fri., March 11 - 8 p.m.
The Peking Acrobats will perform at the Van Wezel on March 20.

Tickets

Saturday Night Fever
Wed., March 16 - 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Tickets

The Young Irelanders
Thurs., March 17 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

The Peking Acrobats
Sun., March 20 - 7 p.m.
Tickets

Bullets Over Broadway
Mon., March 21 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

STOMP
Tues., March 22 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

The Irish Tenors
Wed., March 23 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Linda Eder with Robert Cuccioli
Thurs., March 24 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

The Midtown Men
Fri., March 25 - 8 p.m.
Chris Botti will perform on April 5 at the Van Wezel.

Tickets

Million Dollar Quartet
Sat., March 26 - 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Tickets

Aretha Franklin
Tues., March 29 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

An Evening with Sophia Loren
Thurs., March 31 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Broadway!  The Big Band Years
Mon., April 4 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Chris Botti
Tues., April 5 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Celtic Nights - Spirit of Freedom
Tues., April 12 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Paula Poundstone
Sun., April 17 - 7 p.m.
Tickets

Mamma Mia!
Tues., April 19 - 8 p.m.
Wed., April 20 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Cirque Mechanics Pedal Punk
Fri., April 22 - 8 p.m.
Catch ZZ Top at the Van Wezel on April 27.

Tickets

Brian Regan
Sat., April 23 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

ZZ Top
Wed., April 27 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Chris Isaak
Thurs., April 28 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Billy Gardell
Fri., April 29 - 8 p.m.
Tickets

Celtic Woman
Sat., April 30 - 7:30 p.m.
Tickets


To purchase tickets over the phone call 941-953-3368 or stop by the Box Office at 777 N.Tamiami Trail. 

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.VanWezel.org.

Reminder:  Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 13 at 2 a.m.  So, make sure you "spring forward" and set your clocks one hour ahead. Also, consider replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors, as recommended by the Sarasota County Fire Department.

Thanks for reading this week's edition.  If you'd like to receive Weekly Briefs directly to your inbox click 'Join Our Mailing List' below or send us an email at [email protected]

Tom Barwin
City Manager
941-954-4102