WHAT'S HAPPENING: Manatee predictions, pet sales ban, Superbowl predictions

“That’s the question: Do we want a larger park that is quiet, or a bigger park that is animated?” — Developer Mark Kauffman on Pineapple Park

Manatees pick ‘em

Every year since 2008, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s resident manatees, Hugh and Buffett, have made their picks for that year’s super bowl winners. Buffett has the upper hand with a 7-1 record, over Hugh’s 5-3, but it’s anyone’s guess who will successfully pick the 2016 champions.

Visit YourObserver.com Thursday to see which team Hugh and Buffett think will win the 2016 Super Bowl, airing Sunday.

BY THE NUMBERS

5% – The amount by which Visit Sarasota County projects the number of visitors to Siesta Key will increase in fiscal 2016.

$260,000 – The amount Hembree and Associates paid for the land adjacent to Pineapple Park. The City Commission approved the sale 3-1 Monday.

Survey says: Nearly half of young professionals consider leaving Sarasota

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group recently released a housing survey of its membership in which nearly half of the approximately 100 respondents said they are considering leaving the area.

More than half of respondents, 62%, said they need one- to two-bedroom housing that cost less than $1,000 per month.

Of the 46% of survey-takers who said they were thinking of leaving Sarasota now, the majority consisted of the same individuals who indicated they needed housing that costs less than $1,000 per month.

According to Mimi Cirbusova, YPG coordinator, the survey is an initial step in a series of surveys on housing the group seeks to produce.

YPG has approximately 450 members.

MEETINGS

Siesta Key Association meeting – 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Room F, St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass, Siesta Key

Sarasota County Commission meeting – 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice