Powerboat Grand Prix - Share the Beach  With some festivities for the 32nd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix starting this weekend, people are being reminded to be aware and kind to sea creatures and share the beach.

Grand Prix organizers have launched a campaign, "Share the Beach", cautioning festival goers that Lido Beach is

	Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix organizers are reminding people to be careful and share the beach with wildlife.

home to sea turtles and seabirds who are in nesting season -- and we need to be careful on the beach. 

To help protect the nests, the public is being reminded about a new beach rule this year during the Grand Prix:  You must wait until sunrise to set up on the beach.  The Sarasota Police Department will be on patrol keeping an eye out for those who may be overly anxious and try to claim a beach spot before sunrise.

Also, swimmers or boaters who encounter manatees and other wildlife should give these creatures a wide berth and leave them to their own devices.  It's important for us to share the shoreline!

We appreciate Lucy Nicandri and her team with the Powerboat Grand Prix being proactive and communicating this important information before the races begin over the July 4th holiday weekend.

Expanded "Boats on Main" Block Party - July 1 at 6 p.m.   Rather than holding a parade this year, Grand Prix organizers are opting to have the powerboats escorted by the Sarasota Police Department from the 10th Street boat ramp to Main Street, where they will be featured in a stationary display.  The "Boats on Main" block party will be held Friday, July 1 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Main Street from Orange Ave. to Palm Ave., and along Lemon Ave. between State Street and 1st Street. 

 

Seabird Stewards Needed   Once again this year, the Audubon Society is asking for volunteers to educate beach goers about the black skimmer colony at Lido Beach during the busy July 4th holiday weekend.

The Audubon Society is concerned about these nesting seabirds due to the increased number of people on the beach as well as habitat loss.

If you're interested in being a bird steward for the weekend, you just need an enthusiasm for our special black skimmers and the beach.  Umbrellas and parking will be provided.

To learn more contact:  hshort@audubon.org

July 4th - Holiday Schedule   City Hall administrative offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.  

Please note:  Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be one day later:
 
* July 4 collection will be on July 5
* July 5 collection will be on July 6

On Monday, July 4th, hours of operation at City recreational facilities will vary:

*  Bobby Jones Golf Club:  Regular hours - 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
*  Children's Fountain:  Closed
*  Lido Pool:  Regular hours - closed
*  Robert L. Taylor Community Complex:  6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

The regularly scheduled City Commission meeting will be held the following day on Tuesday, July 5 starting at 2:30 p.m.

We greatly appreciate all our employees who will be working on the July 4th holiday, especially our men and women in blue who will be outside in the heat ensuring the Powerboat Grand Prix is a safe community event.

SPD - Boating Safety Tips    Traditionally, the July 4th holiday weekend is a very busy time on our beautiful waterways.  The Sarasota Police Department is reminding boaters to run through a safety check before heading out, including making sure you have a life vest for each person on board, a whistle or air horn, flare gun and fire extinguisher.  Although a VHF radio is not required, consider having one on your boat in case of an emergency.

For other boating safety tips, we encourage you to check out this brief public service announcement produced by the Sarasota Police Department  -- and have a safe, enjoyable time on the water.

YouTube:  SPD Boating Safety Tips

 

SCOPE -  Seniors +Transportation Survey    Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence, better known by its acronym SCOPE, is conducting a transportation survey to assess the challenges our older population may face in our community.  Sarasota County residents age 65 and older are asked to take 10 minutes and fill out a short survey.  Click here to take the survey.

All responses are anonymous.  And, participants will be eligible to win one of ten $25 gift cards to Publix.  

The following is the current show schedule through 2016. For more information visit www.VanWezel.org