NEWS BRIEFS

+ SKA talks future events, island issues at meeting
The Siesta Key Association met Thursday, Sept. 5, at St. Boniface Church.

• SKVA President Cheryl Gaddie announced that the SKVA and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce are looking for sponsors and donations for the 2013 Crystal Classic.

• Sarasota Sheriff Sgt. Scott Osborne briefed residents on the proper use of 911 emergency services. Osborne advised residents to dial 911 if they are unsure of what number to call, and urged patience if emergency dispatchers ask detailed questions about the caller’s location.

• SKA board member Catherine Luckner reported a trend in bird deaths at Siesta Beach. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating the cause of deaths. Luckner advised residents to report dead birds to the FWC’s Wildlife alert hotline, 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Luckner added that anyone who encounters a dead or distressed bird is asked not to handle it.

• SKA Board Member Michael Shay announced that the International Coastal Cleanup, in conjunction with Keep Sarasota Beautiful, will take place at 8 a.m. Sept. 21. Residents may call 364-4880 for more information.

The next Siesta Key Association meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10, at St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.

+ Palm and Main intersection closed for construction
The intersection at Palm Avenue and Main Street will be closed to traffic from Sept. 9 to Sept. 25, as Main Street streetscape improvement efforts continue.

The intersection will be closed to install four brick crosswalks at Palm and Main. The city has outlined suggested detour routes, such as using Pineapple Avenue, for motorists.

“We understand this will be an inconvenience,” Downtown Improvement Projects Manager Richard Winder said. “We’re striving to keep it to a minimum by doing the improvements all at once and out of season.”

The City Commission approved the improvements in July, but requested construction take place in September because it is a historically a slower month for businesses. The project, which the Downtown Improvement District is funding, will cost about $57,000.

+ Corrections
A Sept. 5 article about a new retail/rental building on Siesta Key should have stated: Trudy Wigelsworth will be the owner of Gidget’s Coastal Provisions, set to occupy planned retail space at 5238 and 5242 Ocean Blvd. Jay Lancer and Jim Syprett own the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar property; Troy Syprett and Russell Matthes are owners of the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar business.

Meetings & Agendas
• Regular City Commission Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Development Review Committee — 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, City Hall, Room 112, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• The Coastal Advisory Committee — 3 p.m. Sept. 18, at the Sarasota County Administration Center Board Chambers, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.