Briefs

+ New tennis centerto be dedicated
The Town Commission decided to dedicate the new Longboat Key Public Tennis Center building to the Mrachek and Schlorff families at its regular workshop Jan. 21, in recognition of their vision and commitment to make public tennis a success on Longboat Key.

The dedication of the new building will occur at noon Sunday, Feb. 28 in conjunction with the center’s grand-opening events.

Activities will include an exhibition match featuring world-class tennis players Larry Turville, Lorne Main, Hugh Thomson and Joe Bachmann, all of who are world and national champions. Light refreshments will be provided, and all residents are invited.

+ Harry’s grantedspecial meeting
Harry’s Continental Kitchens co-owner Lynn Christensen asked for and was granted a special meeting to be held before the 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 regular workshop for the commission to review a request by the restaurant to have 24 outdoor dining seats on its extended patio.

Said Christensen: “A lot of people in the community are waiting for outdoor dining, and we’re trying to accelerate outside seating on our patio before the season ends.”

+ How many groins will be built?
Longboat Key residents David Brenner and Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber told the Town Commission at its Jan. 21 workshop that the town should build only one of the two groins being built behind The Islander Club.

“If one groin does the job, why not just wait and see?” Brenner said.

Klauber suggested the second groin would be better suited for the north end of the island.

Coastal Planning & Engineering Engineer Doug Mann, however, said it’s a combination of the two groins that will provide beach stability behind the condominium.

+ Correction
The couple featured in the Health Matters Picture of Health column were Phil Segerstrom, 73, and Beverly Albertson, 70.

+ Meetings & Agendas
• Key Club Islandside Project Hearings — 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Temple Beth Israel, 575 Bay Isles Road.
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

NUMBERS IN THE NEWS
0 — The amount of money the town is willing to offer its firefighters as part of a new three-year contract.
4 million — The amount of money at-large commission candidate Phillip Younger believes the Longboat Key Club and Resort should give the town for a new recreation center as a condition for approving the Islandside project.