County News via Community Connections

North Sarasota neighborhood enhancements The Sarasota County Commission Tuesday awarded a nearly $2.2 million contract for the construction of neighborhood enhancements, including sidewalks, road widening and roundabouts, in the north Sarasota area. (MORE)

County approves $1.75 million grant for Ringling College County approves $1.75 million grant for Ringling College Sarasota County's venture into the film industry advanced Wednesday, Dec. 8, as county commissioners approved a grant of $1.75 million to Ringling College of Art and Design to develop a post-production facility on the campus. (MORE)

Resource One Plans Relocation to Sarasota County, 36 New Jobs Resource One Inc., which manufactures and distributes environmentally friendly cleaning products, plans to relocate from Largo, to Sarasota County and add 16 jobs in 2011, according to company President Duncan Yull. (MORE) "Skip a Week" of irrigation this winter The Southwest Florida Water Management District is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to "Skip a Week" of watering during the cooler months of December, January and February.(MORE) Connect with Community Connections.

Lighthouses and autopsies

Here's an NPR story about what is a "public good," which is defined for the story as: "something that we all need, that will make our lives better, but that the market will not and cannot provide."

For example:

... autopsies and lighthouses are useful examples of what economists call a public good — "something that we all need, that will make our lives better, but that the market will not and cannot provide," says Charlie Wheelan, who teaches public policy at the University of Chicago. More - with some intriguing comments.

San Francisco completes massive solar project

From AP -- Of interest given our discussion and tour of the solar array at Rothenbach Park:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco is now home to what city officials say is California's largest municipal solar installation.

Mayor Gavin Newsom on Monday announced the completion of the Sunset Reservoir Solar Project, which has almost 24,000 solar panels covering an area the size of 12 football fields.

Officials say the installation generates 5 megawatts of renewable energy daily, more than tripling the amount of solar power used by the San Francisco government.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will buy the electricity from Recurrent Energy, which built, owns and operates the project.

Officials say the Sunset Reservoir will help the city move toward its goal of generating all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Wilson House Open for Free Tours

Guided tours of historic Wilson House available in December

The historic home of one of Sarasota County’s first practicing physicians, Dr. C.B. Wilson, is open for free guided tours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the month of December. Located at Urfer Family Park, 4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota, the home built in 1906 was recently reopened after a yearlong remodeling.

Staff and volunteers from the Sarasota County History Center will conduct the tours and talk about the exhibits that chronicle the life of Dr. Wilson and the early history of Sarasota County.

Sandhill Dance

From an Audubon posting on Facebook:

Sarasota Audubon Society

So, you know how we're going to be building a nature center at the Celery Fields? The sandhill cranes are dancing for us! Check out this recent video by Darryl Saffer. Sooo cool.

Sandhill Dance

www.youtube.com

This "performance" of sandhill cranes was filmed at the Audubon Celery Fields in Sarasota County. Video and music by Darryl Saffer.www.studiorayproductions.com

New Blog for the SO

The Sheriff has a new blog:

Following the May launch of the agency's new web site, we wanted another communication tool that will allow us to further connect with citizens. We will be providing news and notes that don't necessarily warrant a press release but are still informative and interesting!

We also hope it will be a place for good, honest discussion about hot topics here and beyond Sarasota County, so your comments and questions will always be welcome!

The Sheriff's Office blog is here - additional press info here.

McCarthy to focus on recreational tourism

We heard John McCarthy talk about the potential synergies of intelligent park stewardship and the ways and means of green, smart economic development - a prime example was the developing rowing resource at Benderson Park. Now, from the Friends of Sarasota County Parks newsletter comes this news:

John McCarthy, General Manager of Parks has been appointed to focus full-time on product development linked to recreation tourism. "As Jim (Ley) shared with the board, this is a natural evolution for me, and builds upon the success that many of you have helped to develop. Rowing, eco-tourism, volleyball, swimming (and recreational opportunities we have not yet discovered) all have the potential to grow our local economy." Congratulations to John and FOSCP stands by to help in any way possible.