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Hall of Fame 2004

The homeless man above has written a Christmas book and is getting an early start on selling it to area residents. Who said the homeless don't want to work?

A mammoth new building in  downtown Sarasota, across from the county buildings is so tall it makes you feel claustrophobic as it cuts out much of the daylight from hitting the street. The building will be a modern design and not fit in with neighboring buildings. 

This is the end of an era with the demolition of Oberlin's restaurant that had been an icon in Sarasota for decades.

We couldn't help but show you the fantastic sunrise over our area this morning. 9/04

While we were fretting about hurricane Ivan last week (with good cause) the NY metro area remembered the victims of 911. Events in this area had to be canceled because of the preparations for Ivan. The photo above was taken from N.J. across the river from the WTC's the evening of 9/11/04.

The cows aren't coming home until they are fed. How do they know dinner time is  6 PM? Here they stock on up before hurricane Ivan makes tracks.

Although we didn't get the full force of hurricane Frances there were some strong wind gusts that took this limb down from a golden jacaranda tree.

One of the nicest Sarasota County Parks is Phillippi Estates Park in Sarasota. With over 60 acres for picnicking, fishing or use of the home for events the park is a true credit to Sarasota.

Oh, eat your heart out at this vintage 1950 Woody....(Plymouth) owned by a Sarasota resident who is going to take it to auction for around $50K this weekend.

The sign flying over Siesta Key reads Chubby's Burgers,Fries. Now that is a novel idea for a food joint ...Chubby's?

A sinkhole surfaces in Sarasota after we receive almost 9 inches of rain in August.

This camper obviously wasn't happy with his repair job at Aamaco Transmission company. So much so that he painted the tranny lemon yellow and placed it on U.S. 41. (Editors Note: The owner said he had the repair done in Kentucky and then it broke down so he brought it into the Venice and Sarasota locations who couldn't seem to fix it correctly. Corp. office told the stores to refund him and they refused. He says he is getting over it. )
 

Even if you don't go to church you should  visit this great piece of architecture Main Street, Sarasota, First Baptist Church.

 

A homeless man walks south on U.S. 41 with his backpack. Ironic that the sign on the left is for two local realtors looking to sell homes. Good placement on a bus stop:) When was the last time you saw a bus rider buying a home:)

NASA launched it's first mission to Mercury in three decades early Tuesday morning.

Butch who used to sing with Sam The Sham & the Pharaohs now has his own band, called Bandana that plays in Venice. They led off the Gary Lewis concert.

Our Town caught this Blue moon Friday night over Sarasota.  it will repeat Saturday night. What is a blue moon? There are in fact two definitions for a blue moon. According to the more recent definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. For a blue moon to occur, the first of the full moons must appear at or near the beginning of the month so that the second will fall within the same month (the average span between two moons is 29.5 days). July 2004 will have two full moons: the first on July 2, the second on July 31—that second full moon is called the blue moon.
 

Work progresses on the new Five Points retail/condo development in downtown Sarasota.

In Sarasota the modern day cell phone meets up with century old traditions of Mennonites not being allowed to drive motor vehicles. The illustration above, by Tiffany, is from a photo Our Town 50 took of a local woman talking on her cell phone.

Sarasota County puts up markers that keep vehicles from nearing a favorite fishing hole by Blackburn Point Bridge. They also help keep cars from landing in the water.

Sarasota Firemen train in a new ladder truck at their fire house on S. Tamiami Trail on Saturday.

 
The Sarasota Scullers, a youth rowing program, broke away from it's founder and took their boats with them. The boats run around $20K each. The founder kept his land that the club was housed on so the scullers had to find a new place for their boats in Osprey. After the split someone went into the founders boathouse and cut the hulls off of his boats. Not nice.

Motorcycles are the craze especially without helmets. Dozens of motorcycle riders have been killed locally who weren't using helmets.

A heron's mouth is trapped shut on Longboat Key with what appears to be a hair bungee. The bird tried to get the bungee off of it's mouth but to no avail. On lookers called the LBK Police, Sarasota Sheriff, Pelican Man's Sanctuary, South County Bird Rescue and none would respond.

This man braves the warm sun to advertise Sarasota Ford at the corner of Bee Ridge and Beneva.

Anti-abortionists protest at a medical center in Sarasota on Friday.

 
As in times of old a tug boat moves cargo down the intra-coastal waterway the other day.

Sunrise  from Siesta Key Beach Easter Sunrise Service. It was well worth getting up for the occasion. It was a far cry change from the two inches of rain we had last night and this morning.

"On the road again..." These two men travel the highways and byways as they pass thru Sarasota backpack on their back. New study shows that the homeless in Sarasota dropped 30% from last year to around 1,300 people. 45% of those surveyed say they work but don't make enough to make ends meet.

A 4 million dollar boat catches fire off of Longboat Key.

Retired fire fighters and their spouses enjoy a St. Patty's picnic at Manasota Beach.

75% of our population is overweight. Some people have an easier time controlling their weight. Others put on weight just by looking at food. Most schools no longer require gym three times a week as they used to.

Crews along I-75 continue to work on I-75 by the Sumter exit after a gas tank accident last month.

Survey work continues along U.S. 41 in preparation for new street lights that will be installed. At least we hope they aren't more traffic lights.

Crews along I-75 continue to work on I-75 by the Sumter exit after a gas tank accident last month.

Unrifled by the fog, crowds or public display this apparent homeless man looks like he shops at Publix given the shopping bag on his bike. Meanwhile he naps on  a bench at Siesta Key Beach.

Sunday morning traffic on Siesta crawls as people head to and from church and breakfast.

What a day for a day dream and a ride in your Skag car along U.S. 41

* Phillippi Mansion hosts dozens of arts/crafts events each year. Vendors set up for another event this weekend.

Gulf Gate Drive will be closed this week as Sarasota County works on a bridge. We couldn't find any bridge on GG Drive and we have lived here 24 years.

Traffic on U.S. 41 resulted in a fender bender. A Florida Highway Patrol Officer and a SCSO respond.

This is one of only a few older trailer parks left in Sarasota County off of U.S. 41 by car dealer row. Jerry Springer wishes there were more trailer parks:) He has a condo in Sarasota.

  On the road again...this homeless man totes his plastic shopping bags and sleeping bag as he heads West on Fruitville Road.over the weekend.

A vehicle hit a  light pole shattering the base and breaking the light. Law enforcement cordoned off the intersection of Clarke and Beneva as repair crews fix the light pole.

Carlie's Mom makes a compassionate plea to her 11 year old daughter's abductor to please return her. Her father is in the background.

This woman was crossing U.S. 41 on her electric cart and was almost run over by a car that pulled in front of her. What are these car drivers thinking? Or not!

 This man runs through a red light and then speeds down Beneva. Being on the road today is a dangerous proposition. Watch for an Our Town 50 series on driving and roads in our area.

Sarasota Memorial's new parking garage looks almost completed from the outside.

Sarasota -Bradenton airport holiday traffic is over. There were plenty of parking spaces in the long term lot.

The Ringling Museum brings the art to the people by hanging a large reproduction outside, on U.S. 41, in front of the museum.

The demise of the Holiday Inn at Gulfstream and U.S. 41 began on Monday.

Circus Sarasota held their tent raising Sunday. Smiles the clown picked up this woman and planted a big kiss on her.

All the clowns present gathered with the "Ambassador of Mirth" for a group photo.

The "boys of winter" are not deterred from fishing by chilly weather and no bites. Temperatures hit 37 degrees at the Our Town 50 weather station this morning. Not to worry temps will hit 70 by Monday.

Riverview H.S. students braved the cool day as they held a car wash in near freezing temperatures:) Or so it seems to us natives.

Neither green lights nor driving nor multiple distractions seem to keep this young lady off of her cell phone while driving.

Two boys think it is still summer, brrrrrrr, as they truck down U.S. 41 in shorts.
 

Hundreds of people enjoy the roll of the drums at Siesta Key Beach come sunset time. Ample Sheriff Deputy's roam around on all terrain vehicles.

Traffic on I-75 was bumper to bumper from Clarke Road to University Avenue in the north bound lanes as rubber-neckers had to view a disabled vehicle.

Repair work continues on Skyway Bridge during the day. This view is facing south from the top of the bridge.

A new year sunset over Siesta Key caught all the vibrant colors that keeps us coming back for the sunsets.

It's not your average home being built in our area. This home on Casey Key looks like a Hollywood set for a movie. Out its back door is the Gulf of Mexico:)

* Millions invested in fireworks stores down the drain as new county law virtually shuts them down. This store was closed New Years day and the shelves are almost empty now.

Frances's fury drove sand over the roads at Turtle beach.

Cable TV came out with their new ad program saying that "cable is better than puppies". Evidently the puppy above didn't think so.

It's new, it's just south of SMH, it looks like Darth Vader's headquarters with all black shiny windows.

A two to four week old dolphin was rescued by a Florida State Trooper and then transported to Mote Marine after Hurricane Jeanne hit. The dolphin died a few days later. Above Mote Marine workers ready dolphin for transport to a Miami Hospital where it died just before the plane landed. It costs about $360 per day to treat a critically injured dolphin and
the average cost for each dolphin rehabilitated and released from the
Dolphin and Whale Hospital is $22,326. People can help support dolphin
rehabilitation by making a donation to the hospital. Checks made out to
Mote Marine Laboratory can be sent C/O Mote Development, 1600 Ken
Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. Checks should be marked “Dolphin
Rehabilitation” in the memo line.
 

The landscapes they are a changing as booms around town pop up. Palmer Ranch 20 years ago was going to be the new residential mecca. Now it is Lakewood Ranch. The boom above is by the Landings.

Dee on the left and David on the right dance with a patron at the Beach Club Oldies party.

Just like they used to do it in the old days. This stack of wooden crab traps sits by the Osprey docks waiting for crab season.

Yellow flag warnings at local beaches this week due to rip currents and rough seas.

There were two reasons to celebrate Saturday in Venice. One = Gary Lewis and the Playboys were at the Venice Little Theatre performing. Two= it was Gary Lewis's birthday. The concert was fantastic, a real stroll down memory lane. Watch Our Town 50 for additional photos.

If you were a sandwich shop or a florist wouldn't you love to have Pinch A Penny Pool move in next door with their outdoor chlorine tanks?

It's big, it's red, it's on U.S. 41. It is made of brick and plaster. So why is the Orkin man treating Sarasota H.S. for termites? Only the Orkin Man knows:)

A Drive Safely Sign in memory of David Yoder along U.S. 41 in Sarasota. This is certainly the weekend to drive safely.

"War is Not The Answer" or so this sign says on a local residents lawn.

Diana and Dwayne tear up the dance floor with one of the fastest Cha-Cha's you have ever seen. (OurTownMatch singles Latin Dance lessons)

Missing Person
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Detectives are investigating the disappearance of Jackie Diane
Smith, W/F, DOB 12-5-67, 5'3", 130 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes, of Sarasota. Smith, who identifies herself by her middle name, Diane, has been residing at 7914 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. She was last seen leaving her place of employment, Wendy's Restaurant in the 8000 block of South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota County, at 4:00 p.m. on May 5, 2004. 

The DeSoto Festival Parade in Bradenton attracted all shapes and sizes of blimps.

Teens at the DeSoto Festival Parade collect a slew of beads.

Two fisherman at sunset in Manatee County by the Crosley Museum. An outstanding photo that could be entered in a photo contest.

Three young ladies enjoy the DeSoto Seafood Festival in Bradenton.

There was plenty of seafood at the DeSoto Seafood Festival.

The Monroe family celebrate together at the 2004 Desoto Seafood Festival.
 

Dickie Betts, formerly of the Allman Brothers Band, joins the Toler Brothers on stage at the Desoto Seafood festival in downtown Bradenton. Dickie lives in the area.
 

Crowds from near and far attend sunrise service at Siesta Key Beach this morning members, are invited to attend.

Cute take on Easter service with a "Sonrise Service".

It took our zoom camera to stretch way out to get this shot of a banner being towed over the beaches.

North meets south as a native Floridian is hit from behind  on Stickney Point Road.

Charlie Wake from Sarasota traced the same trail that his great grandfather did in an original Winton automobile. His great grandfather invented the Winton. Watch for Charlie's photos of his cross country trip from San Francisco to New York's Central Park on Our Town 50. View brief history at http://www.wintonhistory.com/

* RBC Bank in Venice was robbed by a male and and a female. The female sported a gun at the teller.

A Sarasota County Animal Officer carries off a squirrel she found in the road.

Skies this week were full of planes, skies bright blue and radiant white exhaust trails illuminating the sky.

Mote volunteers, staff and interns lift a female Atlantic
bottlenose dolphin, named Toro, from the medical tank where she is being held while she recovers from wounds to her dorsal and right pectoral fin caused by fishing line. Toro is about 6 feet long and weighs about 200
pounds.

A panhandler along U.S. 41 gets the cold shoulder from most motorists.

Horses and their riders dance around the Sarasota Polo field in Lakewood Ranch on Sunday for the regional playoff.

Tailgaters crowd the sidelines to watch the polo match, snack, drink and be merry. Temps hit 82 Sunday.

The CoExistence exhibit along the Sarasota Bay front is a must see. Pictured above are a  black and white man's hands entwined. There must be a dozen or more exhibits and they are around 40' x 30'.......stunning. Go see.

Sarasota County bought two electric/gasoline cars that average 48  miles per gallon. The cars cost around $20,000 and cut emissions up to 90%. The annual dollar savings is around $100 per year per vehicle. The car has 36 batteries.

The powerful thunder and lightning storms that rampaged through our area Tuesday evening raised havoc at the Casey Key Fish House. Lightning hit the building which then caught fire.

19 new townhouses will be built on Blackburn Pointe road. Prices will start at $400K and be gated.

Oh what a beautiful garden. Not. It is a lanai turned into a pot growing room with high intensity lights to keep things warm and growing. The SCSO busted two men in Sarasota.

Do you want to know where to shop just check out this bus that tells you what new stores have come to Westgate Sarasota Mall.

* Two law enforcement
agencies report that a girl thought to be Carlie is found dead near Proctor in  Sarasota. CNN breaks story before local media. Her parents have been notified. Pictured above is a memorial set up by her fellow students.

Media from around the world have set up shop in Sarasota to cover Carlie's disappearance.

Office Max was advertising optical mouse's for your computer for $5. Only problem was they had 50 people waiting at the door and only 4 on the shelf. A new hard drive for your computer for only $20. Forget about it. Take a rain check. Two line phones for $39, go get another rain check. Two weeks later still no rain check notification in the mail. What would you call it bait and switch, low inventories, incompetence, you name it?
 

The new Super Store, Wal-Mart will go on this large piece of land in Nokomis. It will add a convenient discount store to the southern end of Sarasota and rural Nokomis.

Patrick Stewart will be the lead actor at the Sarasota Film Fest which begins January 23rd. He was the Star Trek captain of course.

If you caught this waning gibbous moon this morning as we did than you can see at least  246,438 miles. That's how far the moon is from earth today.

These boys and a dog aren't looking for work. "They are on the road again", after stopping off for a beverage on U.S. 41, backpacks on their back.

The 50 year old Nokomis Beach Pavilion is scheduled to be remodeled.

  Some say to keep your head out of the sand. This man at the beach practices yoga but looks like his head is hidden in the sand:)

Mercedes Benz's line up at the self serve car wash on S. Tamiami Trail. Maybe the car dealer gives them free car wash tickets:)

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