Sarasota Livin'

What’s happening
A nature walk conducted by Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Dr. Margaret Lowman and her New College of Florida Plant Ecology students

When is it happening
10 a.m. Saturday, July 1

Where is it happening
Red Bug Slough Preserve, 5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota. Meet at the preserve entrance one-half mile south of Proctor Road.

Why is it happening
This will be a hands-on hike for families to learn about insects that eat plants and discover evidence of their voracious hunger

Action for reader to take
Call to reserve your spot, as space is limited. Participants should bring a light jacket, a hat and drinking water. To fully experience the swamp habitat, wear shoes or boots that can get wet.

Contact info
For more information or to reserve a spot, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at (941) 861-5000 and ask for Natural Resources.

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. ‘til Fireworks.
Admission: $18.00 Adults in Advance
$20.00 Day of Event
$17.00 Garden Members
Children 12 and Under are Free

Live Concert Music
All American Cook-out Food and Beverages available for Separate Purchase
Prizes for Best Patriotic Attire
Lawn Games for the Entire Family
Please Bring Blankets or Chairs
No coolers, food or beverages may be brought into the Gardens.
Tickets can be purchased at the Selby Gardens Welcome Center,
Online at http://www.selby.org/ or by phone at (941) 366.5731

Sarasota Green Connection, Inc. invites you to attend this month’s Green World Café event on July 6, 2006 from 7-9 pm in the Whole Foods Lifestyle Center. Mark Shelby, President of Bella Terra, will join us to discuss the "Principles of Florida Yards & Neighborhoods.”

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods is an educational outreach program of the University of Florida Extension. It is also called Florida-Friendly Landscaping and is promoted by local and regional government agencies, by statewide associations, and by individual people and businesses. Come learn the principles and real-world practices of this important landscaping philosophy from one of its most knowledgeable practitioners in Florida.

CONA meeting July 10, 7 PM Waldemere Firehouse.

Sarasota County candidates for Florida House (District 69 & 70) debate issues and answer your questions.

Summer Brews & Music Festival

Benefiting WLSR 96.5 Grassroots Community Radio

Location: Whole Foods Market, Downtown Sarasota

Thursday, July 13, 7-9pm

Come celebrate the flavor and diversity of American beer. There will be over 30 beers to sample from around the nation and music from right here in Sarasota! Los Rumberos, a latin dance band, will be performing inside of the store and Road Block will be playing reggae on the main stage in front of the store.

The cost is $10 per person which includes a beer stein. Half of the ticket price will be donated to WLSR 96.5 Grassroots Community Radio. Tickets available for purchase on the night of the event at Whole Foods, 1451 1st Street, Sarasota.

July 14: Friday Fest on the Bay. 5-9 pm

This free music series draws together the best of the Gulfcoast—its people, products, lifestyles, entertainers and uncompromising sunsets. Enjoy great music by Les Sabler and Citi Heat, as well as food, fun and the beautiful Sarasota Bayfront. Van Wezel Performing Art Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Tr., 941-953-3368.

A Beer-a-licious Extravaganza

If you love beer, like beer or have tasted beer in your life and would like to do so again in a nurturing environment, this is one brew-tastic way to spend a Saturday. JD Ford Fine Wines and the Tasting Room are teaming up to show their appreciation for all things beer from 4-8pm, Saturday, July 15 at the Tasting Room. Enjoy samples of more than 40 hand-crafted beers from around the world as you enjoy food prepared by Fred’s master grillers. There will also be live entertainment and prizes with a raffle benefiting a local charity. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event. For reservations, call 941-362-9463.

This Saturday, July 29th from 8am until noon the A.R.T. will be having its first summer bike drive at Rosemary Court. We are asking people of the community to donate bikes that are not being used so that the A.R.T. can fix them up and get them to people who need them. The more people biking, the stronger our community. Attached is a flyer with more information.

Hope to see you there,

Andrew Noune, President
Alliance for Responsible Transportation

Candidates' Fair on Thursday, August 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Avenue. This is an opportunity for the public to meet, ask questions of and share your thoughts with local candidates. The event is being sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Friends of Gulf Gate Library. The event is free and open to the public.

Next month's Green World Cafe event will take place on August 3, 2006, and will feature a discussion on Solar powered Air Conditioning and related issues in reducing electrical consumption, while helping to protect the environment. All of the Sarasota Green World Cafe monthly events feature an SGC Approved Business Owner and celebrate the Earth Charter. Each event has a featured speaker and then an interactive conversation takes place that focuses on one of the Earth Charter principles.

Please join your fellow community members at the Community Indicators Assembly! This kick-off begins the comprehensive review of SCOPE's Community Report Card. The invitation is attached.

Tuesday, August 22nd
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Pine Shores Presbyterian Church - Community Center
6210 Crestwood Ave, Sarasota

The center is just north of Stickney Pt Road and US 41. Heading north, take a left (head west) at the next light onto Beechwood Ave. Continue on Beechwood, taking a left (head south) onto Crestwood Drive. Park in the grass parking lot and enter the building through the double doors on your left.

RSVP to SCOPE at 365-8751 or scope@scopexcel.org

Lee Irby talks “Florida History, Fact or Fiction” at Selby Library

A program on Florida history, “Fact or Fiction: Florida’s Land Boom (and Bust) in the 1920s”, and a book signing by historian and author Lee Irby.

When is it happening
2 - 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30

Selby Public Library, Geldbart Auditorium, 1331 First St., Sarasota

Meet author and Eckerd College history professor Lee Irby. He will discuss how he incorporated Florida’s real estate boom and bust of the 1920s into his novel.