tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10525940537700182632024-03-05T13:55:58.702-05:00Civics in SarasotaA brief account of a course offered by Sarasota County to its residents.Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-92110287882704582742011-10-25T23:58:00.001-04:002011-10-26T00:01:40.264-04:00Civics Alumni Event Nov. 10th at Phillippi<div><br /></div>From Vickie:<br /><br /><blockquote>Hello Everyone,<br /><br />I’d like to invite you to attend the last class of the fall 2011 session for Civics. The class will be held at Phillippi Estate Park. Please see attached flyer for more details. The theme of the program is <i>“Our Sarasota Legacies – old, new, future.”</i><br /><br />In the past, I have asked people to bring food to share with the group but this time I would like to ask you to bring an item to donate to the All Faith’s Food Bank. So please bring a non-perishable item to share with our community.<div><br />Please let me know if you plan to attend by November 7th.</div><div><br />Best regards to you all,</div></blockquote><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8T_rbzZskRQQVnKgGoL8UgG6LREV5KmlmRafl7ko2jrV3VNs4QtxCkd24i1q2t-uN2YLhT2RJhGwY0mEUkvefaUE9yI68tNCZcDjRbqNTLk_Tb_sLACjG51wm8SHhTLCfw5_I4olMUU/s1600/civics+alumni.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8T_rbzZskRQQVnKgGoL8UgG6LREV5KmlmRafl7ko2jrV3VNs4QtxCkd24i1q2t-uN2YLhT2RJhGwY0mEUkvefaUE9yI68tNCZcDjRbqNTLk_Tb_sLACjG51wm8SHhTLCfw5_I4olMUU/s400/civics+alumni.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667645565072815474" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-39724760651965804212011-09-16T16:22:00.000-04:002011-09-16T16:23:26.547-04:00Input on Administrator and Volunteer Opps<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(126, 204, 204); "><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" background="http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101093164665/ent-blockbg.jpg" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; display: block; border-bottom-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; "><tbody><tr><td rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 8pt; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; text-align: left; "><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; font-size: 18pt; "><b>Volunteer for National Public Lands Day</b></div><div style="font-size: 9pt; "><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102715362124/img/306.jpg" name="1326de380f0925ad_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.306" width="100" vspace="5" border="0" alt="Sunflower" align="right" height="81" hspace="5" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-right-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-bottom-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-left-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: right; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " />Help celebrate the <a shape="rect" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=m9gkp4cab&et=1107543727231&s=55&e=001WZvFZItQ5zqX9wrku7TtoZ8T-BvnfOZ8fJgNTDNQsr9x6AcDdQ0vL66Il-vb13oENYSo5CRMzBy8OO_li3mDkigZIK1wDOZQmief-cOTCYU=" target="_blank" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">18th Annual National Public Lands Day </a>from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 24, at Sleeping Turtles Preserve in Venice.<span></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td height="10" rowspan="1" colspan="1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; min-height: 10px; "></td></tr></tbody></table><a name="1326de380f0925ad_LETTER.BLOCK26" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; "></a><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" background="http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101093164665/ent-blockbg.jpg" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; "><tbody><tr><td rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 8pt; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; text-align: left; "><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; font-size: 18pt; "><b>What citizens want in a new county administrator</b></div><div><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102715362124/img/310.jpg" name="1326de380f0925ad_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.310" width="100" vspace="5" border="0" alt="Magnifying GLass" align="right" height="89" hspace="5" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-right-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-bottom-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-left-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: right; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " /><span style="font-size: 9pt; ">Five public focus groups honed in on the<a shape="rect" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=m9gkp4cab&et=1107543727231&s=55&e=001WZvFZItQ5zpVMF07EMI9Cp_Letqs-EP0iRBYbGAfLeXmmFKUpYOufcu9XlZF-N4hrvMFZEBRPlZlBZ02Mb5srCm_km62OFi11-y1xn4617k=" target="_blank" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; font-size: 9pt; ">characteristics and qualities </a>that Sarasota County residents feel are most important for this position.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td height="10" rowspan="1" colspan="1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; min-height: 10px; "></td></tr></tbody></table><a name="1326de380f0925ad_LETTER.BLOCK6" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; "></a><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" background="http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101093164665/ent-blockbg.jpg" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; "><tbody><tr><td rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 8pt; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; text-align: left; "><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; font-size: 18pt; "><b>Clean up the coast Sept. 24</b></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 9pt; "><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102715362124/img/307.jpg" name="1326de380f0925ad_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.307" width="100" vspace="5" border="0" alt="Beachsunset" align="right" height="75" hspace="5" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-right-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-bottom-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-left-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: right; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " />Volunteer <span>to clean coastal and other areas during the <a shape="rect" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=m9gkp4cab&et=1107543727231&s=55&e=001WZvFZItQ5zoc3wpILDpoUNSc3DrxXrjc_yfdfLjvaYR5ZamTuJJuUz5Hj7zJd-bLHUq4t-lT1R95qCoLfV1klTMgOOPgZekPWu-94IJFcSU=" target="_blank" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">2011 International Coastal Cleanup</a>. The event takes place 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 24, at sites throughout Sarasota County. To sign up, call 941-861-5399.</span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-81815436355485733642011-09-16T16:21:00.000-04:002011-09-16T16:22:25.387-04:00County scores high in survey<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; font-size: 18pt; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; font-size: 18pt; "><b><br /></b></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>Most Sarasota County residents say their quality of life is excellent, according to results from the <a shape="rect" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=m9gkp4cab&et=1107543727231&s=55&e=001WZvFZItQ5zoIHr9avPHS2_RkAk2-3Hft0kK2h6Mg9V8NTRrEHrlpSJtZBPM8q9MkkOmALjqAc6nEQ8f2cRD8zEGwiQETTGRH7sRaUjLOJ4o=" target="_blank" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">2011 Sarasota County Citizen Survey.</a> </span>See how else the county scored in spending, property taxes and crime.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 9pt; "><span><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102715362124/img/309.jpg" name="1326de380f0925ad_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.309" width="100" vspace="5" border="0" alt="GradeA+" align="right" height="84" hspace="5" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-right-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-bottom-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); border-left-color: rgb(227, 228, 228); padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: right; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " /></span></p></div></span>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-35075837684330973342011-09-14T08:10:00.003-04:002011-09-14T08:14:06.599-04:00National Wildlife Federation: Community Wildlife Habitats<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><br /></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; ">The NWF is offering a free webinar about how to create a community habitat in your community for wildlife - it's next week:</strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><br /></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 128, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; ">Webinar: Starting a Community Wildlife Habitat Project</strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; ">Would you like to help your community become a Certified <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; ">Community Wildlife Habitat</strong>? To learn how to get started, please join us for a free webinar. Presenters will include team leaders from certified communities around the country.</span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; ">Date</strong>: Tuesday, September 27th</span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; ">Time</strong>: 3:00-4:00pm Eastern time</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://online.nwf.org/site/Calendar?id=105421&view=Detail">More here.</a></span></p></span>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-20132743197646452062011-09-08T10:31:00.002-04:002011-09-08T10:33:55.029-04:00Public Input SoughtFrom <a href="http://sarasota.patch.com/articles/county-looking-for-input-from-public-today">Sarasota Patch:</a><br /><br />Two meetings will seek comment from residents about key county issues:<br /><br /><blockquote>The county is actively searching for a new county administrator. Because of a tighter budget, SCAT bus fares are slated to increase by $0.75.<br /><br />Today the county wants to hear from you on both of these topics at two separate meetings. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.429em; "><b>Thursday, Sept. 8</b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1em; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: disc; list-style-position: inside; line-height: 1.429em; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">10:30 a.m., Selby Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">2 p.m., Phillippi Estate Park in the Edison Keith Mansion, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">6 p.m., Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.429em; "><b>Friday, Sept. 9</b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1em; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-type: disc; list-style-position: inside; line-height: 1.429em; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">10:30 a.m., North Port Library, 13800 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">2:30 p.m., North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota</li></ul></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.429em; "><strong style="font-weight: bold; ">SCAT Fares</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.429em; ">A public meeting on proposed increases in Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) fares will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. tonight, in Room 112 at Sarasota City Hall, 1565 1st Street. Three public meetings were held in August and an additional meeting was requested to gather more public feedback, the release said.</p></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 1em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.429em; "></p></span></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-3695707844811287802011-09-03T21:29:00.001-04:002011-09-03T21:32:40.408-04:00Call to ArtistsA new visual art program launched by the City of Sarasota invites local artists to display their work for the public within a City owned building for three months. Pieces will be on display in the Federal Building, 111 S. Orange Avenue, beginning Monday, October 3, 2011. The displays will change four times a year. More <a href="http://sarasotagov-com.gowest1.gowesthosting.com/PublicArt/CallToArtists.cfm">here</a>.<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div align="center" class="PageTitle"><p align="left">Volunteer Public Art Coordinator
<br />Virginia Hoffman via email @ <a href="mailto:Virginia.Hoffman@sarasotagov.com" style="text-decoration: underline; ">Virginia.Hoffman@sarasotagov.com</a></p></div><p align="justify">Project Manager: Dr. Clifford Smith, Sr. Planner City of Sarasota, Florida 941- 954-4195
<br /><a href="mailto:Clifford.Smith@sarasotagov.com" style="text-decoration: underline; ">Clifford.Smith@sarasotagov.com</a></p></span></span></div></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-27947752837601038712011-07-24T00:36:00.002-04:002011-07-24T00:38:47.084-04:00A transportation survey for everyone<div><br /></div><div>Do you walk? Jog? Bicycle? Drive? Walk with a pet? Need special assistance getting around? The county wants your input.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1kwjgwQX8BueurB3vr2Za7ph5DJSzrl743GTN5MYPnxEqJPXQrLAOxqFHlcpAa97-fKobjXFPPx7eBPQthZglQV5ZF3mkHzVVwkB3N1R-P17zM44l8UZ_26bp0gqXSDVIbZfqDBAIBs/s1600/BikeSurveyButton.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1kwjgwQX8BueurB3vr2Za7ph5DJSzrl743GTN5MYPnxEqJPXQrLAOxqFHlcpAa97-fKobjXFPPx7eBPQthZglQV5ZF3mkHzVVwkB3N1R-P17zM44l8UZ_26bp0gqXSDVIbZfqDBAIBs/s400/BikeSurveyButton.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632204567175044866" /></a>Sarasota County wants your input on what's most important in planning new bicycle paths, new pedestrian walkways, and intersections that involve vehicular traffic.<a href="http://www.scgov.net/PublicWorks/Mobility/Planning/BikePed.asp"> Click here to go to the county's website</a> where you can find out more, or click the button to take the survey. The survey contains a place where you can mention special concerns or priorities. <div></div><div><br /></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-8015227685348328192011-07-15T15:22:00.000-04:002011-07-15T15:23:21.559-04:00Fall Civics Taking Applications<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(126, 204, 204); "><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td height="10" rowspan="1" colspan="1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; min-height: 10px; "></td></tr></tbody></table><a name="1310b91a0a74e20a_LETTER.BLOCK9" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "></a><table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" background="http://img.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101093164665/ent-blockbg.jpg" width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(159, 156, 155); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; "><tbody><tr><td rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 8pt; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; "><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; font-size: 18pt; "><b><b>Seats still open for fall Civics 101 session</b></b></div><br /><div><img src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102715362124/img/277.jpg" name="1310b91a0a74e20a_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.277" width="100" vspace="5" border="0" alt="Civics class" align="right" height="100" hspace="5" style="text-align: right; " /></div><div>Sarasota County government's popular Civics 101 program still has a few seats</div><div>open for the session beginning Sept. 8.</div><div><br />Civics 101 is a 10-week session that introduces people to the operations and services of Sarasota County government. The Thursday-night classes give students a better understanding of how county government works and allows them to build relationships with county staff. (<a shape="rect" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=m9gkp4cab&et=1106464231121&s=55&e=0010kvFk5H_X6QH7kTHce9oGzqPYqK3lDFZm0fSQdDKXuOCkGgc0ZnZzxEbgLPxo3oTaDqx14yCpDFLXkQODKfTK9e6jNVP5SOfpsWHIfy1HIg=" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">MORE</a>)</div></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-10059261942779786132011-07-11T11:11:00.003-04:002011-07-11T11:15:23.139-04:00Take the Survey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG_uNVuGApFJbTips_D4-gHDQ2MyMGNp43X02UuXEEhqheJGelEdusZDZX1uYyAwQ57F5y1OD_AQdJnTUwG1TI-BPdrQsU0bCoog17k1ZeFJWFV-FNJMHaJq1RdIxe1MgeLrKbMMLcf4/s1600/bicycling_on_campus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG_uNVuGApFJbTips_D4-gHDQ2MyMGNp43X02UuXEEhqheJGelEdusZDZX1uYyAwQ57F5y1OD_AQdJnTUwG1TI-BPdrQsU0bCoog17k1ZeFJWFV-FNJMHaJq1RdIxe1MgeLrKbMMLcf4/s400/bicycling_on_campus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628113609135993218" /></a><br />Sarasota County wants bicyclist and pedestrian input for future paths:<br /><br /><blockquote>Sarasota County’s first Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is under development. We want your input!<br /><br />The first draft of the plan is expected to be available in summer 2011. The plan is designed to outline a safe, convenient and efficient bicycle and pedestrian system that provides access to major destinations within Sarasota County and surrounding counties.</blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scgov.net/PublicWorks/Mobility/Planning/BikePed.asp">Click on "Take our Survey</a>."Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-54951011700529037202011-07-11T11:03:00.001-04:002011-07-11T11:06:10.452-04:00"Changing the way we're growing old"By 2050, 1 in 5 Americans will be seniors. Worldwide, almost 2 billion people will be 60 or older, 400 million of them over 80, <a href="http://my.earthlink.net/article/hea?guid=20110709/ceee6043-e0a3-478d-961a-7f6d63f88db1">says the AP</a>:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p></p><blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Atlanta is creating what it calls "lifelong communities." Philadelphia is testing whether living in a truly walkable community really makes older adults healthier. In Portland, Ore., there's a push to fit senior concerns such as accessible housing into the city's new planning and zoning policies.</p><p>Such work is getting a late start considering how long demographers have warned that the population is about to get a lot grayer.</p><p>"It's shocking how far behind we are, especially when you think about this fact — that if you make something age-friendly, that means it is going to be friendly for people of all ages, not just older adults," said Margaret Neal of Portland State University's Institute on Aging. </p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p></span>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-84468842113273986902011-06-25T13:45:00.004-04:002011-06-25T13:52:10.888-04:00Civics 101 Spring Graduation and Recognition<div><br /></div><div>Belatedly (sorry!) here's the <a href="http://sarasotacounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=18&clip_id=1574">Civics 101 Graduation for the Spring Civics 101 Class</a>. The enthusiasm of the classmates and the special recognition of Civics Class Coordinator Vickie French -- a $1,000 contribution for a tree and a plaque in her name at the Celery Fields -- are remarkable. The Civics item comes up quite early - about the 2 minute mark.</div><div><br /></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-51537308571173057102011-06-21T12:04:00.003-04:002011-06-21T12:08:17.514-04:00Civic Literacy and Ill-literacyLynda Seidl shared a link to another <a href="http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692">Civics Literacy Test</a>:<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; "><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; "></h3><blockquote><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; ">Full Civic Literacy Exam (from our 2008 survey)</h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 16px; ">Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better? Questions were drawn from past ISI surveys, as well as other nationally recognized exams. <a href="http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692">LINK.</a></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 16px; "><a href="http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692"></a></p></span></div>What's disturbing is the remarkably dismal performances of college educators and elected officials. Is literacy an endangered species?Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-86550297622176565962011-06-14T21:08:00.004-04:002011-06-14T21:36:30.898-04:00Celery Fields coming into its own<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChXTodZwfv9Q9SEKVkOm_mozD2zLWdn5p1wjd7AmPzWcXbkhDUqdvoGPj8Dzf5sHQs77zmVhJYXDPmfeMmA8GHbMP1DThHuQf2eCuGrDqD4reGTwbnyy33dUOdrOK2gswz79wgl8fTWU/s1600/2011-06-11_08-43-34_108.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChXTodZwfv9Q9SEKVkOm_mozD2zLWdn5p1wjd7AmPzWcXbkhDUqdvoGPj8Dzf5sHQs77zmVhJYXDPmfeMmA8GHbMP1DThHuQf2eCuGrDqD4reGTwbnyy33dUOdrOK2gswz79wgl8fTWU/s400/2011-06-11_08-43-34_108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618253555887271346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC9cYxcCtExwMZBdeySRvDcm13nZ09XiZBNEiqGkBxXg7KZnOCfxOO33Cbfj1IeQYTeqNAI6VpqGg9B-Wvukl4fLpc1hTT_gVp1MD5us-uj1irhOjygu9SczviuP280ByYvEDGFZ2Hew/s1600/2011-06-11_09-52-09_889.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC9cYxcCtExwMZBdeySRvDcm13nZ09XiZBNEiqGkBxXg7KZnOCfxOO33Cbfj1IeQYTeqNAI6VpqGg9B-Wvukl4fLpc1hTT_gVp1MD5us-uj1irhOjygu9SczviuP280ByYvEDGFZ2Hew/s400/2011-06-11_09-52-09_889.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618253547592110546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkgVmCrKEtbDNoQUZZDX1s9EaIE_CWA0dZEN6GPLNijvw1pa7l5mXYDCdSUe6vvGUybXoxlfcnWwv4ee6pKQC0aFst27PNOVtOHzsW_FEGQ6JTRanAdreQ3aGaQcbnh4bFZ76jfEffTo/s1600/2011-06-11_09-22-33_396.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkgVmCrKEtbDNoQUZZDX1s9EaIE_CWA0dZEN6GPLNijvw1pa7l5mXYDCdSUe6vvGUybXoxlfcnWwv4ee6pKQC0aFst27PNOVtOHzsW_FEGQ6JTRanAdreQ3aGaQcbnh4bFZ76jfEffTo/s400/2011-06-11_09-22-33_396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618253542150193490" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>We've covered the <a href="http://sarasotacivics101.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-new-year.html">development </a>and <a href="http://sarasotacivics101.blogspot.com/2011/04/celery-fields-grand-opening-tues-may-3.html">opening</a> of The Celery Fields as a park and a habitat - here's a <a href="http://sarasota.patch.com/blog_posts/of-birding-biking-boarding-and-boot-camps">blog post on Sarasota Patch</a> about how happy people are finding new things to do there.</div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-79646391809884022802011-06-08T21:49:00.000-04:002011-06-08T21:49:00.515-04:00When is property not properly taxed?Richard D. Wolff on the improprieties of how property is taxed:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="254" src="http://blip.tv/play/jyGCvoIZAg.html" width="480"></iframe><embed src="http://a.blip.tv/api.swf#jyGCvoIZAg" style="display: none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-4829142788409995092011-06-06T20:48:00.004-04:002011-06-06T21:01:40.019-04:00An older civics conversation in Sarasota<div>Jeff LaHurd has a <a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110606/ARTICLE/110609756/0/NEWS?p=all&tc=pgall">terrific piece</a> about how Sarasota County owes its independence to a split from Manatee County in 1921, to form its own more perfect union. It's not an entirely unfamiliar ring to it:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; word-spacing: 2px; "><blockquote>In September, Edwards, Sarasota's first mayor, who was in charge of gathering relevant data, reported: "The territory comprising the proposed new county is paying considerably more into the county treasury in the way of taxes than it is receiving back; the area which comprises one-half of the present county is represented by one commissioner, while the other half is represented by four." <a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110606/ARTICLE/110609756/0/NEWS?p=all&tc=pgall">More...</a></blockquote></span></div><div>A terrific photo of the temporary old courthouse accompanies the text -- they had angle parking downtown even then - who knew?</div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-38711781108357452802011-05-31T17:23:00.003-04:002011-05-31T17:26:31.653-04:00Apply Online for Civics 101, Fall 2011 Session<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: medium; "><b><a href="http://www.scgov.net/PlanningandDevelopment/NeighborhoodServices/NeighborhoodUniversity.asp">From the Planning Dept:</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><p align="justify" style="font-size: medium; "><span><b>Civics 101 - The fall session for 2011 starts September 8th, 2011. Applications are now being accepted.</b><br /></span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: small; "></span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: small; ">Civics 101 is a program designed to provide a toolbox of resources on Sarasota County operations and services. The program provides an in-depth and behind the scenes introduction to operations in Community Services, Emergency Services, Financial Planning, Health and Human Services, Planning and Development, Public Communications, Environmental Services and much more. For instance, there are outdoor learning opportunities provided like visiting some of our county parks; Carlton Reserve, Rothenbach Park, and others.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><p align="justify" style="font-size: medium; "></p><p align="justify" style="font-size: medium; "></p><p align="justify" style="font-size: medium; "><span>Civics 101 has two sessions - Spring and Fall - both of which are held on Thursday night each week for 10 weeks. You must also participate in one of the many outdoor learning opportunities scheduled. Twenty-five residents are accepted each session on a first-come, first-served basis.</span></p><p align="justify" style="font-size: medium; "><span>Civics participants will graduate at a Sarasota County Commission meeting upon completion of the requirements outlined in the schedule.</span></p></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><p align="justify" style="font-size: medium; "><span></span></p><p align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.scgov.net/PlanningandDevelopment/NeighborhoodServices/documents/CivicsApplicationWEB.pdf">Fill out the application here.</a></span></p><p align="justify"><br /></p></span>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-38269853491890507512011-05-30T08:04:00.001-04:002011-05-30T08:04:52.084-04:00Two from NPR<div><br /></div><div>Bicycle-sharing schemes are a fixture in European cities like Copenhagen, but now they are taking root on American soil. In Washington, D.C., over the past eight months, the nation's largest bike-share system has become so popular, it may become a victim of its own success. <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/05/30/136788070/bikeshare-program-rides-high-in-d-c">Click here</a> for story.</div><div><br /></div><div>What to do with failed golf courses? In Palm Beach, they're <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/05/30/136788050/finding-new-uses-for-troubled-golf-courses-in-florida">turning a course into a 160-acre park with a driving range</a>, concert lawn, bicycling lanes, picnic grounds. Deerfield Beach is turning half of an old course into a cemetery. And Davie is transforming a former exclusive course into, voila, an affordable golf course.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Incidentally, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarasota-County-Government-Sustainability/175896159112216">Sarasota County Government Sustainability</a> page on Facebook is a rather solitary place - it could use some friends.</div></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-23552782856687758352011-05-25T14:31:00.005-04:002011-05-25T14:43:43.603-04:00Walk 21Anyone who has visited Vancouver knows it's one of the coolest cities on the continent. I remember being struck by the reticence of the drivers as I walked through downtown. So polite were they that no horns were heard, no screeching tires, and in fact, one could hear the cries of the distant gulls as they few over the harbor.<br /><br />They're into walking. Now they're holding a <a href="http://www.walk21.com/vancouver/">conference on walkability</a>, Oct. 3-5, 2011.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IqOPOhdBbGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />More on walkability <a href="http://janeswalk.net/walkability/">here</a>, inspired by the work of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs">Jane Jacobs</a>, author of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_and_Life_of_Great_American_Cities">The Death and Life of Great American Cities.</a><div><br /></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-75873942695184711272011-05-25T13:37:00.004-04:002011-05-25T13:49:46.062-04:00Civic reflection<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFXpXf0QaI0WbdmEiHi5AXaB0_OMLmEWFHTh0Ixf_SiLRYgZm_mEDWqvA5yMSDH8m0zKbOvL616gzpiPo3-d-YzC73k4aMeRB5OML26r6pANOb58-7egmaeDA9UhSXVFddjRT9A7YbCE/s1600/jim+ley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFXpXf0QaI0WbdmEiHi5AXaB0_OMLmEWFHTh0Ixf_SiLRYgZm_mEDWqvA5yMSDH8m0zKbOvL616gzpiPo3-d-YzC73k4aMeRB5OML26r6pANOb58-7egmaeDA9UhSXVFddjRT9A7YbCE/s320/jim+ley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610711515542197458" /></a><div>As Sarasota County <a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110525/ARTICLE/110529678/2416/NEWS?Title=Bullock-interim-replacement-for-Jim-Ley-#">finalizes the terms of Jim Ley's departure</a>, one might ask whether, and how, a more open civic dialog might have helped shape a clear, mutual understanding of what is happening.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not a final overview -- it will be quite some time before a balanced assessment of Mr. Ley's role as county administrator will be possible. Rather, an interim understanding that recognizes his achievements while holding him and all our public officials accountable for actions that are still under investigation.</div><div><br /></div><div>What seems missing as these details are put in place is, well, the civic voice. The sense that before sending this long-term public official out the door, what he and the County Commission have agreed upon does justice to the people whom they serve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Under Mr. Ley's governance, the County has kept a tight lid on public spaces for discussion, input, review, and general conversation. The county by policy appears to eschew social media of all forms. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's time to take a fresh approach to <a href="http://sarasotacivics101.blogspot.com/2011/01/richard-dreyfuss-on-civics.html">communicating with ourselves</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-36373571348786993402011-05-21T07:34:00.001-04:002011-05-21T07:36:05.138-04:00Parking changes in effect<div><br /></div><div>New <a href="http://sarasotapd.org/parking/where-to-park.html">parking areas and charges </a>are in place in downtown Sarasota - click link for map and more info.</div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-34630148233479101612011-05-16T08:15:00.005-04:002011-05-16T10:46:05.861-04:00Concurrency: An opportunity for civic discussion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HvJMVMnfjwMMdFIeZeoqavcFhlQa2ct218uyf_XSlXlm5dYNXwS1eaNH_84_O7Tf6qW5zjs-flz7WfzlEBtxwAYz96ZC6ruCFiYWgBspQ6UW1XxyfpiggIcZG6R1Jfp3PjSD-f7cPDg/s1600/toothless.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HvJMVMnfjwMMdFIeZeoqavcFhlQa2ct218uyf_XSlXlm5dYNXwS1eaNH_84_O7Tf6qW5zjs-flz7WfzlEBtxwAYz96ZC6ruCFiYWgBspQ6UW1XxyfpiggIcZG6R1Jfp3PjSD-f7cPDg/s200/toothless.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607325274386959058" /></a>Concurrency has been a doctrine in Florida for decades. Essentially it's the <a href="http://www.law.ufl.edu/conservation/waterways/waterfronts/pdf/concurrency.pdf">rule </a>that new development should not exceed the capacities of roads and other local infrastructure, and should pay to bring the two into balance where deemed necessary. It's been called the "teeth" of growth management.<div><br /></div><div>Now that the state legislature has<a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110516/ARTICLE/110519780/2055/NEWS?p=all&tc=pgall"> chosen to remove the Concurrency requirement</a>, what impact could this have? Is Florida about to show a bold new toothlessness?</div><div><br /></div><div>It will be up to localities to decide whether and when to apply concurrency criteria. Obviously as the newspaper story indicates, many who live here and who attach a significance to quality of life are unhappy with the way lawmakers are going. </div><div><br /></div><div>What can local government do to help clarify the implications? </div><div><br /></div><div>For one thing, we have professional planners, as well as regional planners with tremendous expertise. Why not do some projections of how proposed developments are likely to impact traffic, water, population, and more? Take one or a few examples of proposed projects and examine how they would look with and without Concurrency in place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then invite the public to view and discuss what they come up with. If this isn't a matter for a public, civic discussion, what is?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-86833110798352651852011-05-06T13:27:00.001-04:002011-05-06T13:29:40.361-04:00Civics Alumni Event May 19thFrom Vickie:<br /><br /><blockquote>Hello,</blockquote><blockquote>It’s that time again for all of us to reunite at the Civics Alumni event on May 19th at the Venice Community Center. Our guest speakers are Bill Furst (Property Appraiser), Commissioner Robinson (District 3 – our new commissioner), and Jeff LaHurd (Sarasota historian and author). The event begins at 5pm and will end at 8pm. Please see the attachment for more details including the agenda and of course the menu. The photos on the front page are of the current class and some of the new activities they have been enjoying.</blockquote><blockquote>Please RSVP no later than May 16th for our 6th Alumni gathering.</blockquote><blockquote>Vickie French</blockquote>Click to enlarge:<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokW9jKBrAOnmeZ7DvYs0BP9lQN7QhjRtGaYxBadxBr7el_oFVxGAKyQzITDE5UzwDJ-NNa9f-_G6Wi8JlVJx7uLc1mxmcubCEVZo2oU2WTSGt5pWpgLXRwQGWOlPgfc_F6R452RBcE7o/s1600/civics+may+19th.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokW9jKBrAOnmeZ7DvYs0BP9lQN7QhjRtGaYxBadxBr7el_oFVxGAKyQzITDE5UzwDJ-NNa9f-_G6Wi8JlVJx7uLc1mxmcubCEVZo2oU2WTSGt5pWpgLXRwQGWOlPgfc_F6R452RBcE7o/s400/civics+may+19th.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603656119693388642" /></a></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-50045313084258598562011-05-03T23:32:00.004-04:002011-05-03T23:53:31.593-04:00From Rowing Regatta to Celery Fields to Dragon BoatsTwo days after the record-breaking attendance at the <a href="http://sarasota.patch.com/articles/sarasota-crew-wins-first-fsra-championship">Benderson Park Rowing Regatta</a>, the Celery Fields Grand Opening celebrated the culmination of years of hard work with a 5k run. Here was the scene before the ceremonies and race:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCtoWFHl54k4gDmt7cAGJ4mRIGLIB2Cv_gWUzwC-kIatocXzLHJgw5lsuWy0g9o7RddIOFwUWBmDjx3wO4lCCqgKg6zu7z3QlMJvYEkya0BqxWo1OjjU-gLQsocrIxH2Xgko-YwV707U/s1600/2011-05-03_17-22-13_865.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCtoWFHl54k4gDmt7cAGJ4mRIGLIB2Cv_gWUzwC-kIatocXzLHJgw5lsuWy0g9o7RddIOFwUWBmDjx3wO4lCCqgKg6zu7z3QlMJvYEkya0BqxWo1OjjU-gLQsocrIxH2Xgko-YwV707U/s400/2011-05-03_17-22-13_865.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602698975226073346" /></a><br /><br />If you'd like to try yet another mode of racing, find out about the <a href="http://lakesarasota.blogspot.com/2011/05/sarasotas-inaugural-dragon-boat.html">Dragon Boat Festival</a> taking place at Benderson this Saturday, May 7th. It's free, and there's still time to join in.<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n7vDRYDJM9Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-30417533719543450492011-04-26T12:03:00.002-04:002011-04-26T12:06:01.257-04:00Celery Fields Grand Opening, Tues. May 3The Grand Opening of the Celery Fields is finally here. Come out and race on Tuesday. Click on the image to enlarge:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AhGEUNVx7GwflcVXaFPjrExQ-FiQTFk0cOYVO8bG-mvr4t5Y51RfqI4PqGh1sSELrSBqPX7iGiqgVHsw8aPKFEuUSyafY6hHqlgfVefkHnPJ7KAEQEVMKfsGMJPwNbmbwhRDG897KXQ/s1600/celery+fields.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AhGEUNVx7GwflcVXaFPjrExQ-FiQTFk0cOYVO8bG-mvr4t5Y51RfqI4PqGh1sSELrSBqPX7iGiqgVHsw8aPKFEuUSyafY6hHqlgfVefkHnPJ7KAEQEVMKfsGMJPwNbmbwhRDG897KXQ/s400/celery+fields.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599923712140227458" /></a>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1052594053770018263.post-47046730956634020372011-04-22T14:25:00.002-04:002011-04-22T14:33:13.999-04:00Earth Day 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguf9DJ0Oc2IN7pDAPMGTJ1BR2upJuA8NF2vf5uDWv5kcXITO5bDtlzYZkN9ibZgSS5U1cw5zcDORDUV-74Lyab1b2RcT_AzZ1hYgwmQ4bx69oHqlIdkMWNMNUIVZjxorOtWFnWSIN5hHY/s1600/windfarm+at+sea.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguf9DJ0Oc2IN7pDAPMGTJ1BR2upJuA8NF2vf5uDWv5kcXITO5bDtlzYZkN9ibZgSS5U1cw5zcDORDUV-74Lyab1b2RcT_AzZ1hYgwmQ4bx69oHqlIdkMWNMNUIVZjxorOtWFnWSIN5hHY/s400/windfarm+at+sea.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598477646282203442" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>For Earth Day, a pointer to a decent article in Wikipedia about alternatives to fossil fuel. More clearly than ever, we see that there are ample sources of energy available to us - from sun, wind, water, algae, vanadium reflux batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and more. If we choose to pollute with a finite, increasingly expensive resource that has limitless political and economic implications, let's at least be clear that this is now a choice, and no longer a matter of necessity.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_energy">Alternative Energy</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tom Matrullohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460789537848811061noreply@blogger.com0