welcome to sarasota brochure

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Welcome to

Sarasota, Florida

Hello! Welcome to Sarasota and the beaches! We’re sure the more you know about Sarasota, the more you’ll fall in love our small city and want to make it home. Sarasota will captured your heart. All you have to do is drive over the Ringling Causeway to St. Armand’s Circle and a sense of peace would come over you. You will fall love with Sarasota, and more importantly, you’ll feel you’ve arrived at your home! Sarasota is a fabulous area. We love the array of cultural offerings —award winning theatres, art galler-ies, antique shops, museums, jazz clubs, ballet, symphony and opera. Sarasota also offers you boating, swimming, tennis, endless golf and beautiful powdery beaches. You choose the lifestyle you want! We have many historic buildings, state-of-the-art health facilities and universities, including the world renowned Ringling School of Art and Design. Sarasota is really a host to the best of everything — world class arts and culture, outstanding shopping, restaurants, world class beaches and a wonderful recreation system. In fact, Money Magazine has boasted Sarasota as the “best small city” more than once! I hope you enjoy this information package. Sarasota offers a wonderful quality of life and we want to help you discover it, to feel happy about your new community and to be as proud of Sarasota as so many of her residents are. Sarasota is Paradise! Let us help you make Paradise home! We look forward to meeting you soon,

www.SearchforSarasotaHomes.com

www.SearchForSarasotaHomes.com

Map of the Greater Sarasota Area

Savvy, Sophisticated . . . Sarasota! Sarasota is a vibrant city with beautiful beaches, a lively downtown, outstanding restaurants and diverse recreational opportunities. All of this is complimented by warm, tropical weather year round! In Sarasota, the arts are a part of both history and the future. The community is home to a wide variety of performing arts organizations including opera, ballet, symphony and numerous theatres. Stroll through art galleries and arts districts such as Herald Square, Towles Court, Burns Court and Palm Avenue. Families who live in Sarasota enjoy the many area attractions including St. Armand’s Circle, Mote Marine Laboratory, Selby Botanical Gardens, Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, G. Wiz inter-active science museum and the venerable John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art.


Our Rich Culture

Sarasota offers a wonderful and diverse selection of culture, and is considered to be the Cultural Center of Florida. Here you will find award-winning theaters, symphonies, museums, the ballet, and opera. Fine arts are bountiful and within easy reach of many of our communities. Asolo Theatre The word Asolo comes from Asolo, Italy where a lovely eighteenth century theatre was purchased by the estate of John Ringling and moved to Sarasota, Florida in the 1950’s. This theatre, where Eleanor Duse once performed, became home to a summer theatre company founded by Florida State University in 1960. This company, known as the Asolo Theatre Festival, was warmly embraced by the Sarasota com-munity and in 1966 became a year-round professional L.O.R.T. Theatre. In 1990, the company moved into a new performing arts center — the Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz theatre was brought to Sarasota from Dunfermline, Scotland and is a majestic, 500 seat former opera house which is the main performing space for the Asolo Theatre Company. Please visit them at www.asolo.org.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall This beautiful facility, fashioned after a giant purple sea-shell was built in 1968 and sits on bay front property in downtown Sarasota. It is owned and operated by the City of Sarasota, and was extensively refurbished in 2000 to accommodate larger play sets, props and additional seat-ing. The Van Wezel offers a mixture of theatre, music and dance, averaging around 140 performances a year. You can visit them at www.vanwezel.org.

The Sarasota Opera Lovingly restored to its original beauty, the Sarasota Opera House is a cornerstone of Sarasota’s Theatre Arts District. It also offers an education wind and library. See their website at www.sarasotaopera.com

Sarasota Ballet of Florida The Sarasota Ballet is able to offer their audiences a continuous dance season from April through September. You can visit them at www.sarasota-online.com/ballet.



Our Rich Culture Florida West Coast Symphony The Florida West Coast Symphony offers a wide range of performances from Ensembles, to the Symphony, to the Sarasota Music Festival, Florida West Coast Chamber Orchestra as well as four resident chambers — all for your enjoyment. They also have one of the most extensive education programs of any orchestra in the country. Visit them at www..fwcs.org.

Florida Studio Theatre This theatre has been in operation since 1973 and produces world premiers and contemporary works. It has over 20,000 subscribers a year. Florida Studio Theatre has a renowned education department that is very involved in local schools. Find out more at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org

Players Theater The Players, Sarasota’s oldest performing arts company, produces a Musical Theater Series, a full season of large scale musical productions, a Special Event Series providing alternative theatre and children’s pro-gramming as well as a Concert Series which presents nationally known musicians throughout the year. The Players Performing Arts School offers year-round classes and workshops for children, teens and adults in musical theatre, acting, voice and dance (ballet, modern, tap, jazz and hip hop) Visit them at www.ThePlayers.org

The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre is one of a dozen professional dinner theatres in the country and the oldest continuing dinner theatre in America. The performance include musicals, dramas and comedies, all of which include an excellent buffet dinner. Go to www.thegoldenapple.com

Venice Little Theater Venice Little Theater has entertained people of Venice, Florida since 1950 and has become the largest arts organization in South Sarasota County. Venice Little Theater has classes for people of all ages and is very committed to community involvement. In addition, there is a full venue of performances throughout the year. Go to www.venicestage.com for more information.

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is located on 11 bay-front acres and offers a collection of more than 6000 or-chids, a museum, a bountiful collection of colorful plants and 7 greenhouses. Visit them at www.selby.org


Places to Go - Things to See and Do

Circus Sarasota 941-924-7054 The Circus is an important part of Sarasota’s legacy and a re-newed spirit of the Circus has come alive with Circus Sarasota — a one-ring European-style circus performing in various venues throughout the year. The show offers no-stop entertainment with unique acts including Dolly Jacobs’ elegant and captivating Ro-man rings and aerial act.

Crowley Museum & Nature Center—East Sarasota 16405 Myakka Road 941-322-1000 Step back 100 years and experience the real Florida at Crowley Museum and Nature Center in Eastern Sarasota county. Crowley is home to a pioneer museum a traditional one-room “cracker” cottage and the restored Tatum House. The property is located on a pioneer thoroughfare called Pine Level Trail.

Gulf Coast Wonder and Imagination Zone (G.WIZ) 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota 941-906-1851 G. WIZ is one of the hottest family attractions on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The hands-on museum recently moved to a new bay front location and feature interactive exhibits that teach children (and adults) about science and more. The G.WIZ facility houses its own permanent display as well as guest exhibition halls large enough to accommodate traveling exhibits, like the King Tut Exhibit and The Body Exhibit. Historic Spanish Point 337 Tamiami Trail North, Osprey 941-966-5214 This scenic 30-acre peninsula overlooks Little Sarasota Bay and the native plants and wildlife enhance the natural setting. Historic Spanish Point has the most well preserved Indian village site in Florida and it’s the only place in the nation where you can actually enter a pre-historic shell mound. Spanish Point offers a glimpse of pioneer life with restored turn-of-the-century buildings such as Mary’s Chapel, the Guptill House and the Citrus Packing House.

John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bayshore Road, Sarasota 941-359-5700 Circus magnate John Ringling had a profound influence on Sarasota — transforming this sleepy fishing village to an arts capital in the 1920’s. The magnificent architecture of the Museum of Art complements the artwork collected by Ringling. Most impressive are the giant works by Flemish master, Peter Paul Rubens. Also on the grounds is the Museum of the Circus, a “snapshot” of circus history. Additionally, John Ringling’s spectacular home on the bay, Ca d’Zan, has been extensively renovated and re-opened in 2001. Mote Marine Aquarium 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota 941-388-4441 The working marine laboratory mixes the right amount of learning and fun through informative exhibits portraying underwater life. The touch tank is a popular way to get up-close-and-personal with a variety of marine life, including conchs, starfish, urchins and stingrays; while three working laboratories give visitors insight into the world of Mote’s scientific studies.


Places to Go - Things to See and Do


Refined, Stylish Longboat Key The beach draws them here—the tourists, the retirees and those seeking a piece of paradise. But for many Longboat residents, after they settle in, the beach becomes a secondary amenity to all the other recrea-tional opportunities within a seashell’s throw. If you get bored on Longboat Key, there’s no excuse.. In fact, there is a long list of so-called retired Longboaters who are busier now than when they pursued their careers — and happier too!

Golf Sarasota lays claim to having the first golf course in the United States. That fact alone gives you some sense of how rooted golf is in the Greater Sarasota-Bradenton area. As you might expect, there are plenty of golfing choices on the mainland. There are many Longboaters who go off the Key and belong to such private clubs as the Bradenton Country Club and El Conquistador Country Club in Manatee County. There is also Sara Bay Country Club, the all-men’s Gator Creek and the Tournament Players Club at Prestancia, all in Sarasota County. Beyond these, there is a long list of semi-private and public courses that are worth a visit (if you get the chance, try the Legacy at Lakewood Ranch and the University Park Country Club) Far and away, Longboat’s golfing aficionados find themselves attached to the convenience and joy of staying on the Key and playing the 45 holes at the Longboat Key Club. There is only one course on Longboat, but the 45 holes are divided into two areas three miles apart. One section of 27 holes is known as the Harbourside course, located at mid-Key on the bay side - inside the gates of the Bay Isles develop-ment. The other 18 holes are on the southern tip of the Key, visible from Gulf of Mexico Drive. This course is known as Islandside. Members consider the course challenging because all 45 holes are bounded by water of some manner. Be advised: bring plenty of balls and a long retriever! While the Harbourside and Islandside courses are attractive in themselves, golfers are also drawn to them because of the camaraderie they find. Men’s and women’s clubs are active and play weekly schedules and tournaments. You’ll find most of this activity at the Harbourside course; Islandside is often considered the course where most visitors from Inn on the Beach play.


Refined, Stylish Longboat Key Tennis Second in popularity only to golf, tennis is big on Longboat Key. One of the Key’s claims to tennis fame is the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort—ranked by Tennis Magazine as the number one tennis resort in the United States. In high season, The Colony’s courts are packed with winter visitors and guests. In fact, this is how many of Longboat’s future residents get their introduction to the Key. Once they make the move to be seasonal or full-time residents, tennis players have tended to join the Key’s two active private clubs—the Longboat Key Club or the Cedars Tennis Club. During the winter, the Har-Tru courts at both of these facilities are filled, with players engaged in weekly round-robin events or tournaments with teams from the mainland In the past two years, however, the tennis scene has taken on a little different tenor with the opening of the Longboat Key Public Tennis center. With six Har-Tru courts nestled behind the post office on Bay Isles Road, the public tennis center offers an inexpensive way for non-club members to enjoy great facili-ties: an hour and a half of tennis is $6. The popularity of these courts has grown so quickly that its users have begun lobbying the Longboat Key Town Commission to expand the facilities. Boating/Fishing Sailboat and powerboat aficionados will tell you the waters of Sarasota Bay are a well-kept secret (and they like it that way!) Wide and deep enough for almost any craft, Sarasota Bay gives boaters plenty of room to maneuver and winds that are strong, but not as rough as Tampa Bay. There’s easy access to a long list of dockside restaurants—perfect for those who like to take a morning cruise, dock for lunch and then head home. “All you have to do is ride up to Tampa Bay, and there’s no comparison,” say Cannons Marina owner, David Miller, whose family has operated its Longboat Marina for 45 years. Miller notes that Long boat’s waters five boaters and fishermen easy access to a lot of protected areas shielding them from the

winds and bad weather. Plus, there are plenty of places to throw anchor and enjoy an afternoon swim. Among the most poplar spots near Longboat: the sandbar and Beer Can Island, near Longboat Pass on the north end, and the sandbar at Light-house Point, near New Pass on the south end. Fishing is this area 50 years ago made anglers’ mouths water—the catches were so plentiful. Today there are fewer fish, but compared to many regions, Longboat’s waters are still considered an angler’s paradise. Says Miller of Cannons Ma-rina: “You can fish the back waters of the bay, or go out in the Gulf . There’s usually something out there, no matter what

time of year.” And there’s usually something in all sizes—from the half-pound catfish pulled from the backyard canals to the 85-pound tarpon that swim off Longboat's coast in late spring and early summer. Adds Rusty Chinnis, longtime outdoor editor of The Longboat Observer: “The part I like best about fishing here is the habitat. We have lots of mangrove shore line and sea grass beds. Clean water and habitat—that’s what makes fish.”


Refined, Stylish Longboat Key Walking/Biking Longboat Key residents take pride in the sidewalk and bike path that runs the length of Gulf of Mexico Drive. While you might expect to see most walkers getting their regular exercise up and down the beach, it’s more common on Longboat to see them walking along the GMD sidewalk. During season, walkers are especially numerous in the early morning hours. Biking is less popular than walking on Longboat, but the Key’s bike paths on the shoulders of Gulf of Mexico Drive attract long clusters of bikers who belong to the region’s bicycle clubs. In the summer (when there aren’t as many cars on Gulf of Mexico Drive), more than 100 bikers at once often can be seen racing up the Key on Wednesdays at dusk.

Nature Trails Longboat Key has two popular nature trails: Quick Point at the southeastern most tip of the Key and Joan M. Durante Park in the 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Quick Point meanders through a heavy stand of pine trees, mangroves and oak and follows along the shore of the bay and the New Pass

channel. If you want a quiet spot to enjoy nature, this is it. Joan M. Durante Park, a gift of more than $1 million from Long-boat key resident Jim Durante, is one of Longboat’s greatest treas-ures. The 28-acre park stretches from Gulf of Mexico Drive to the bay, and consists of peaceful paths that wind through lush planting of native Florida shrubs, fruit trees and flowers. In the middle of the park is a children’s playground, complete with swings, slides and climbing equipment. The park is also used during the winter for the “Sunday in the Park” concert series. Like Quick Point, this is a ref-uge of tranquility and peace.

Classes/Volunteering Many Longboaters spend their recreational time taking classes at the Longboat Key Education Center, the Longboat Key Center for the Arts or the Bayfront Recreation Center. The Education Center offers a wide variety: cooking, lectures, back stage tours of the region’s performing arts, yoga and other classes. The Art Center, of course, specializes in such skills as painting, ceramics and sculpture. And the Recreation Center is where residents participate in such programs as aerobics or show up for the weekly bridge games. If those things don’t interest you, Longboat’s churches and temple have plenty of opportunities for volunteering. Other organizations with Longboat volunteers: the Key’s popular Turtle Watch organiza-tion, which monitors turtle nests during hatching season; the Longboat key Garden Club, which sponsors the Key’s annual home tour; Mote Marine laboratory on City Island; and Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary, also on City Island, south of the Key.

Refined, Stylish Longboat Key Just for Kids It’s no secret that children are almost as rare on Longboat as vacant waterfront property. For one thing, the Key has no elementary schools. The closest schools are Anna Maria Island to the north and Southside Elementary on the mainland in Sarasota. Still, Longboat children do have access to a variety of activities. The Bayfront Recreation Park con-ducts a summer-long day camp that provides children with five-day-a-week activities, including tours to mainland attractions, games, safety classes and weekly supervised swims in the Gulf. The Longboat Key Center for the Arts offers art classes for children, often on Saturday morning. And the Anna Maria Island Community Center is where many Key kids go to play organized soccer, basketball and baseball.

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Sugary Sand Beaches Siesta Key

There’s a tempo to Siesta Key. You can feel it — roller blading, bicycling, volleyball, tropical tunes from a radio on the beach. This island’s casual at-mosphere attracts the young at heart who flock to Siesta to experience what has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world. The best part of Siesta Key is its sand. From the ever popular Siesta Beach to quiet Turtle Beach and Crescent Beach — wherever you de-cide to relax, you’ll be amazed by the color, softness and coolness of Siesta’s sand. Fanatics have even go so far as to analyze it . . . And found it to be 99% pure quartz. Spend a day sunning and swimming, enjoying the shops and restau-rants in the Village and down south near the Stickney Point Bridge. Then don’t miss the spectacular sunsets . . . The perfect end to a perfect day in paradise.

Where Sand Rules! Siesta Key was first colonized in 1846. Population of the island had only grown to 300 by 1940 when it was primarily made up of fishing camps. Cur-rently, 12,000 full-time residents live on the island with another 12,000 “snowbirds” flocking down during season. (January—April) Siesta Key Beach Park is about a half mile of developed, unique sandy beach located along the south side of Beach Road, west of the Midnight Pass Road intersection on the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the most beautiful beaches found anywhere. Shallow water depth near the shore, together with year' round lifeguard protection makes this one of the safest beaches in the country. Siesta Public Beach offers plenty of parking with 800 spaces available — if you get there early, that is! Restrooms, showers, picnicking, life-guard stations, group size and small size shelter, tennis courts, ball field, volleyball courts, concession stands, group facilities, handicap facilities, 20-station fitness trail, playground equipment and public trans-portation drop off/pick up. Other Siesta Key Beach accesses: Shell Road, Old Stickney Point Road and Point of Rocks Road, with limited parking and no bathroom facilities. Turtle Beach is a quarter mile of developed sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico, located at the south end of Siesta Key, two and a half miles south of Stickney Point Road on Midnight Pass Road.

“Turtle” is very popular for family outings and gatherings. Ameni-ties include parking, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, horseshoe courts, volleyball courts, playground equipment and dune walk-overs. There are no lifeguards. Boating facilities, group facilities, handicap facilities, public transportation and drop off/pick up ar-eas are also available at Turtle Beach on Siesta Key.


Map of Sarasota Area Public Beaches

North Lido Beach Lido Beach South Lido Beach Siesta Beach Turtle Beach Palmer Point Beach Nokomis Beach North Jetty Park Venice Beach Service Club Park Brohard Park Caspersen Beach Manasota Beach Blind Pass Beach


Sarasota Beaches and Marinas

Beach Address Picnic Facilities

Lifeguard/ Swimming

Beer Can Island Northern Tip of Longboat Key No No/No

Blind Pass Beach 6725 Manasota Key Road Yes No/Yes

Brohard Beach Connected to Caspersen Beach Yes No/Yes

Caspersen Beach 4100 Harbor Drive Yes No/Yes

Lido Beach 400 Ben Franklin Drive No Yes/Yes

Longboat Key Beach Longboat Key No Yes/Yes

Mansasota Beach West End of Manasota Bridge Yes Yes/Yes

Nokomis Beach 901 Casey Key Road Yes Yes/Yes

North Lido Beach North End of Lido Key No No/Yes

Paler Point Beach Southern Tip of Siesta Key No No/Yes

Siesta Key Beach 2201 Beach Road Yes Seasonal/Yes

Turtle Beach 8918 Midnight Pass Road Yes No/Yes

Venice Beach 101 The Esplanade Yes Yes/Yes

Marina Phone # Water Fuel Largest Boat

Blackburn Point 966-3735 2-3 feet No 65 feet

Boathouse on Longboat Key 383-7778 8 feet Yes 31 feet

Casey Key Marina 484-7661 6 feet Yes 55 feet

Crow’s Nest Marina 484-7661 4 feet Yes 125 feet

Gulf Harbor Marina 488-7734 12 feet Yes 35 feet

Hidden Harbor Marina 925-9110 1-2 feet Yes 24 feet

Holiday Inn Marina & Yacht Basin 355-2781 4 1/2 feet Yes 90 feet

Marina at the Landings 922-6100 4 feet Yes 30 feet

Marina Jack 955-9488 10 feet Yes 150 feet

Midnight Pass Marina 349-9449 4-5 feet Yes 38 feet

Osprey Marine Center 955-5657 4 feet Yes 45 feet

Philippi Shores Marina 924-6864 3 feet Yes 25 feet

Royal Palm Marina 474-1420 5 feet Yes 70 feet

Siesta Key Marina 349-8880 3 feet Yes 32 feet

Stump Pass Marina 697-3600 5-6 feet Yes 45 feet


Where Shopping is Fabulous! Downtown Shops of Sarasota Main Street 941-951-2656 Shops, galleries, eateries, and a 20-screen movie theater. Farmers Market every Saturday St. Armands Circle 941-388-1554 More than 150 upscale boutiques, gift shops, galleries and restaurants including Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer Sarasota Pavilion (Old Gulf Gate Mall) US 41 and Stickney Point Road Stores include Old Navy, Bed Bat and Beyond; Ross; Marshalls; Panera Bread Restaurant Sarasota Square Mall US 41 and Beneva Road 941-922-9600 Over 85 stores including Dillards, Sears, Macy’s, JC Penney and The Disney Store Westfield Plaza (Southgate Mall) US 41 and Siesta Drive 941-951-0412 Stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic, Dillards, Macys and Williams-Sonoma


Where Shopping is Fabulous! Historic Downtown Venice Main Street A wide variety of shops are housed in the restored building of the 1920’s vintage and are located along Venice, Tampa and Miami Avenues DeSoto Square Mall 303 US 301 Blvd, Bradenton 941-747-5868 Over 85 stores including Sears, JC Penney, Dillards and Macys Gulf Coast Factory Shops 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton 941-723-1150 Fabulous shopping! Over 100 outlets including Donna Karan, Levis, Ann Taylor, Saks Off-5th, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Polo, Gap


Where Dining Delights the Senses! Sarasota and its surrounding areas have so much to offer in the way of restaurants. We’ve always been amazed at how many great places there are to dine around here. Below are some of our favorite places to eat. Most places offer up a great selection of wine, but if you already collect vintage wines, most restau-rants don’t mind if you bring it along — they’ll only charge a small corkage fee. Enjoy! Beach Bistro 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach 941-778-6444 Award wining continental cuisine overlooking the Gulf of Mexico Caté L’Europe 431 St. Armands Circle 941-388-4415 Experience New European cuisine in one of Sarasota’s long standing restaurant traditions The Chart House 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key 941-383-5593 A getaway for the everyday—the Chart House serves delicious fresh seafood The Colony Dining Room 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key 941-383-5558 Award-winning continental dining overlooking the Gulf of Mexico—impeccable service and innovative cuisine Euphemia Haye 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key 941-383-3633 Inspired and eclectic cuisine is “consistently extraordinary—Longboat Key’s best desserts are at the Haye Loft Michael’s On East 1212 East Avenue South, Sarasota 941-366-0007 The area’s most celebrated restaurant– fine cuisine in an ultra modern atmosphere


A Few Other Sarasota Area Dining Choices: The Sun House in Anna Maria 941-782-1124 Gulf Drive Café –Casual 941-778-1919 Joe’s Eats & Sweets—Desserts 941-778-0007 Downtown Sarasota Alley Cat Café—Eclectic 941-955-6118 Bijou Café 941-366-8111 Barnacle Bill’s Seafood 941-365-6800 C’est La Vie—French Bakery 941-906-9575 Cosimo’s Brick Oven—Italian 941-363-0211 Mediterraneo—Northern Italian 941-365-4122 Patisserie Café—Continental 941-346-3171 Roesssler’s—Continental 941-966-5688 Selva Grille 941-362-4427 Siam Orchid—Thai 941-365-7304 Longboat Key The Buccaneer—Surf & Turf 941-383-5565 Café on the Bay—Casual 941-383-0440 China Blossom—Chinese 941-383-9533 Ciao! - Italian 941-383-0010 Euphemia Haye 941-383-3633 Dry Dock Waterfront Grill—Casual 941-383-0102 Harry’s Continental Kitchen 941-383-0777 Moore’s Stone Crab 941-383-1748 The Colony Restaurant 941-383-5558 Siesta Key Beach Café—Gourmet 941-349-7117 Broken Egg—Breakfast 941-346-2750 Siesta Key Oyster Bar 941-346-5443 Village Café 941-349-2822 S. Armand's Circlet Columbia Restaurant—Cuban 941-388-3987 Hemmingway’s—Casual 941-388-3948 Tommy Bahama Café 941-388-2888 Lido Grille 941-388-0155


World Class Golf Every day in Sarasota is a golfer’s dream with more than 30 courses throughout the county, challenging all levels of play and budgets. Of the top 20 southwest regional courses voted by the readers of Florida Golf News, nine are in area — four courses are in the top 100 places to play in the state So let’s play golf!

Private Courses - Members and their guests only

Bent Tree Country Club Sarasota 371-8200 Boca Royale Country Club Englewood 474-7475 El Conquistador Bradenton 758-1467 The Founder’s Club Sarasota 378-0900 Gator Creek Country Club Sarasota 924-1111 Jacaranda West Venice 493-2664 Laurel Oak Sarasota 378-3600 Longboat Key Club (2 courses) Longboat Key 383-8821 Meadows Country Club Sarasota 371-6000 Misty Creek Sarasota 921-5258 Oaks Country Club Sarasota 966-2191 Palm Aire Country Club Bradenton 355-9738 Plantation Golf & Country Club Venice 493-2000 River Wilderness Bradenton 776-2602 TPC at Prestancia Sarasota 922-2800


Semi-Private Courses (Members and Public can play)

Bobcat Trail Golf Course North Port 419-0500 Calusa Lakes Golf Club Nokomis 484-8995 Capri Isles Golf Club Venice 485-3371 Forest Lakes Golf & Country Club Sarasota 922-1312 Foxfire Golf Club Sarasota 921-7757 Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club Sarasota 926-7000 Myakka Pines Golf Club Englewood 474-3296 Oak Ford Golf Club Sarasota 371-3680 Pelican Point Golf Club Venice 496-4653 River Club Golf Club Bradenton 751-4211 Rolling Green Golf Club Sarasota 355-7621 Rotonda Country Club Englewood 697-2414 Sabal Trace Golf Club North Port 426-2804 Sarasota Golf Club Sarasota 371-2431 Serenoa Golf Club Sarasota 925-2755 Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club Sarasota 925-2755 Sunrise Golf Club Sarasota 924-1402

Executive Courses (Short Courses) Bobby Jones Sarasota 365-4653 Gulf Gate Sarasota 921-5515 Village Green Golf Club Sarasota 922-9500

World Class Golf


Beyond Beaches & Shopping Sarasota attracts people from all walks of life, with hobbies and interests that span the globe. Here are a few social and sporting activities that you can take part in which make up the flavor of the lifestyle that is uniquely Sarasota! The Sarasota Film Festival Like movies, documentaries and foreign film? Every spring, (April 4—14th in 2008) The Sarasota Film Festival is host to any number of star studded premiers, highlighted by red carpet events with celebrity directors, international film stars, and up & coming masters of the cinema, both behind and in front of the camera. Local film enthusiasts volunteer for the bulk of the behind the scenes work that makes this 10 day event a highlight of the social season. Get involved by going to their website: www.sarasotafilmfestival.com Ballroom Dancing Every August, the Ritz Carlton is home to the Florida State DanceSport Championship, the final leg of the Dance Sport Triple Crown, a competi-tion that draws top competitors from the world. So it is no surprise that the sport has taken off in Sarasota, even long before the recent revival in the sport evidenced by the success of such television shows as Dancing With The Stars. The United State Amateur Ballroom Association has a lively, and vital home in Sarasota—The White Sands Chapter, which meets for a weekly dance night at the Ballroom of Sarasota. For more information about the USABDA’s White Sands Chapter, go to their website at www.dancewhitesands.com Other area dance centers that feature ballroom dance lessons, as well as open ballroom dance parties include: Sarasota Dance Center 941-377-1751 Ballroom of Sarasota 941-925-2411 Wilson DanceSport 941-955-8558 SaraBay Dance Club 941-753-1032 While not a complete list, local restaurants that host ballroom dancing on a nightly/weekly basis include: The Stardust Ballroom at the Harmony House in Venice The Ritz Carlton’s Ca d’Zan Lounge Primo Ristorante 16 South Latin Restaurant on St. Armands Circle Payne Park Auditorium Sarasota Bayfront Community Center.


Any baseball fans in the family? Then a day at Ed Smith Stadium during spring training is the place for you! Every year, thousands of locals and visitors to Sarasota don their Cincinnati Reds baseball caps, slather on the sunscreen, and plop $7—$16 each to watch a spring training game. Ed Smith Stadium, originally the spring-training home of the Chicago White Socks, was built in 1989, and has hosted countless games since then. The Cincinnati Reds made Sarasota their home for spring training in 1998 and will be there throughout 2009, at which time the Boston Red Sox are expected to move to the stadium after the Reds move to Arizona.. With capacity for 7,500, Ed Smith Stadium isn’t the largest ball park in the area, but many fans say it is the best ball park for getting up close to the action and meeting the players.

Underwater Sports Although there are no coral reefs to dive off the coast of Sarasota and Manatee, there is still some ledge, wreck and artificial diving in the area. There are also scuba diving clubs who arrange dive trips and hold social events for di-vers throughout the year. Sarasota Scuba Club meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the FOP Hall located on the corner of Circus Boulevard and Beneva Road. Suncoast Reef Rovers meets in the south part of the county in Nokomis. Lakewood Ranch Dive Club also meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7PM at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Scuba diving the Florida Gulf, just south of Tampa Bay, draws many a spear fishermen. Artificial reef sys-tems consisting of concrete culverts, army tanks and boxcars provide shelter for some large fish including barracuda and Goliath Grouper (formerly known as jewfish which cannot be taken by spear or rod). Also, for those looking for prehistoric finds, Venice Beach offers beach dives where shark teeth are plentiful as well as fossils from other prehistoric animals. Check with your local dive shop for an identification sheet.

Beyond Beaches & Shopping


Boat Tours You don’t have to own your own boat to enjoy a day out on the Gulf of Mexico. A number of established boating tour companies dot the horizon, from Nokomis to Anna Maria Island. Latitude Sailing Charters Afternoon, sunset, and bareboat charters are available aboard the sailing vessel Latitude, a Catalina 30, docked at the Sarasota Hotel and Marina near the Sarasota-Bradenton airport. Captained and bareboat charters depart from this premier location on beautiful Sara-sota Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico is within easy access. Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Bradenton, Tampa Bay, and the quaint coastal town of Venice are all nearby. Guests are limited to six, keeping your sailing charter private and casual. The boat is maintained in pristine condition, including state-of-the-art electronics and a large cabin with all the amenities of home. For more information contact the crew at [email protected] to make your reservations for a sailing charter you'll not soon forget. Sarasota Bay Explorers Sarasota Bay Explorers offers several tours for guests, including a sea life encounter cruise and guided kayak tours. Private charters are available on the Miss Explorer vessel. A 40-foot pontoon boat is also available for private charters. Located at Mote Marine Laboratory. Myakka Wildlife Tours

Myakka Wildlife Tours offer scenic tours on the Myakka Lake aboard an airboat. The boat smoothly ven-tures into shallow, grassy areas where traditional boats cannot go. "Tram Safari" tours are also offered that go into the back areas of the Myakka River State Park. Inquire locally for tour times. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Island Adventure Boat Tours Sightseeing charter boat, up to six people by reservation. Specializing in family fun. Nature tours starring dolphins, manatees, herons, egrets osprey shelling and sharks teeth. Family fun fishing and sunset tours.

Beyond Beaches & Shopping


Annual Temperatures on the Gulf Coast

Month High Low Gulf Waters

January 72° 51° 60°

February 74° 57° 65°

March 77° 57° 65°

April 81° 59° 72°

May 87° 68° 80°

June 89° 72° 83°

July 92° 75° 86°

August 91° 74° 86°

September 89° 73° 85°

October 85° 68° 78°

November 80° 69° 73°

December 73° 59° 66°

Average Annual Temperature: 61.2° to 83.8° Average Summer Tempereature: 71.6° to 91.7° Average Winter Temperature: 49.3° to 73.3°

General Information State Tree: Sabal Palm State Flower: Orange Blossom State Gem: Agatized Coral State Song: Old Folks at Home State Shell: Horse Conch State Nickname: Sunshine State State Bird: Mockingbird State Animal: Florida Panther State Fish: Largemouth Bass State Mammals: Manatee Atlantic Sailfish Dolphin


The Lay of the Land in Sarasota Sarasota East—Mainland east of Interstate I-75 This beautiful area of Sarasota features residential communites, country clubs, golf course living and ranch land. You an enjoy the “country” setting, yet be only a short drive from the wonderful culural center of Sarasota. Sarasota West—Mainland west of Beneva Road to the Intracoastal Waterway Tamiami Trail (US 41) is a significant thoroughfare with an abundance of shops, boutiques, restaurants, malls and services. This is a lush residential area with a cosmopolitan feel you will love. Siesta Key There’s something for everyone to discover on the beautiful island of Siesta Key. You’ll find a fabulous selection of restaurants, shopping districts (including the acclaimed Siesta Village), and all are situated around the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast. Choose your lifestyle here — a waterfront condominium, a private home, a cottage duplex, stilt house, or even an investment property. St. Armand Circle and St. Armands Key Stroll around the famous shopping circle, and stop in to have drinks, lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants. You might even want to live in one of the many magnificant homes on St. Armands Key. Longboat Key Longboat Key offers you eleven miles of beaches and is the northernmost barrier island in Saraota County. Here you will find elegant mid and high-rise condominiums as well as sophisticated single faily homes lining both sides of Gulf of Mexico Drive Bird Key Discover this small man-made island just east of St. Armands Circle. Developed in the mid 1950’s, Bird Key is a luxury location with deepwater canals that give you direct access to Sarasota Bay. There is even a private yacht club! Casey Key Casey Key is an eight mile strip of some of the most valued and exclusive land available on Florida’s West Coast. Celebrities seeking privacy have long found Casey Key the ideal place to call home. Lido Key Only separated by a canal, Lido Key enjoys the same amenities as St. Armands Key . You’ll also enjoy a county park, a large public beach and several popular resort destinations.


Venice Venice stretches from the scenic Myakka River to the beautiful Island of Venice. Discover Venice’s quaint historic shopping district and dog park. Venice is a wonderful place to live, brimming with sophisticated luxury homes as well as practical family homes with a neighborhood feel. Osprey and Nokomis Osprey is home of The Oaks, one of Sarasota’s most respected destinations. The Oaks offers a lifestyle equal to the finest country clubs in the world. These exclusive homes are nestled among plush canopies of live oaks and native palms. Each homeowner supports the marvelous country club with a membership. At The Oaks you’ll enjoy a croquet lawn, tennis courts, champion golf courses and fabulous dining in the elegant country club. Osprey and Nokomis are both nestled between Sarasota and Venice, making it convenient to enjoy amenities inboth cities. Both towns have “on the water” living as well as “country” living. North Port North Port was founded in 1959 and is often decribed as “Florida’s Largest Little City”. This has quickly become an extremely popular area, as family members can commute to either Sarasota or Fort Myers from North Port. A new middle school and high school were recently built to accommodate the more than 300 families who move here each year. Englewood Nestled on Lemon Bay, ths small, close-knit community has several little islands on its coast, as well as an abundance of golf courses.

Distance from Sarasota One Hour Drive Two Hour Drive Busch Gardens (Tampa) Walt Disney World (Orlando) Adventure Island (Tampa) Epcot Studios (Orlando) Florida Aquarium (Tampa) MGM Studios (Orlando) Dali Museum (Tampa) Universl Studios (Orlando) Sunken Gardens (St. Petersburgh) Sea World (Orlando) Museum of Science & Industry (Tampa) Wet ‘n Wild (Orlando) International Mall (Tampa) Cypress Gardens (Orlando)

Mileage From Major US Cities Orlando, Florida 119 Atlanta, Georgia 496 Indianapolis, Indiana 1038 Pittsburch, Pennsylvania 1076 New York, New York 1184

The Lay of the Land in Sarasota


Our Public Parks

Location Phone Location Phone

17th Street Park 316-1172 Edwards Islands 316-1172

35th Street Park 316-1172 Fairgrounds Park 316-1172

A.B. Smith Park 316-1172 Fruitville Park 316-1172

Adult Recreation Center 316-1172 Gillespie Park 316-1172

Al Goll Recreation Center 423-2786 Laurel Civic Assoc. 483-3338

Arlington Park 316-1172 Newtown Estates 316-1161

Avion Park 316-1346 N. Water Tower Park 316-1172

Bay Island Park 316-1172 Orange Avenue Park 316-1172

Bee Ridge Park 316-1267 Payne Park Tennis Center 316-1172

Bird Key Park 316-1172 Philippi Estate Park 316-1309

By-Pass Park 486-2780 Philippi Shores Park 316-1172

Causeway Park 316-1172 Pinecraft Park 316-1172

Centennial Park 316-1172 Pioneer Park 316-1172

Challenger Park 316-1172 Potter Park 316-1172

Christopher Wheeler Park 316-1172 Red Rock Park 316-1172

Chuck Reiter Stadium 316-1172 Sevilla Park 316-1172

Cohen Park 316-1331 Shoreland Park 316-1172

Colonial Oaks Park 316-1331 South Lido Park 316-1172

Dallas White Park 423-2786 Twin Lakes Park 316-1194


Our Top Employers Company Product # of Employees School Board of Sarasota Public School System 4598 Sarasota County Government Government 3784 Sarasota Memorial Hospital Healthcare 3000 Publix Supermarket Grocery Store 2954 Bon Secours Venice Hospital Healthcare 1453 Wal-Mart Retail Store Chain 963 Charter One Hotels Hotel Management 950 Columbia Hospital Healthcare 900 PGT Manufacturer 889 Winn-Dixie Supermarket Grocery Store 875 City of Sarasota Government 850 Nielson Media Research Consumer Research 700 Shannon Hotel Group Hotel/Resort Management 700 Buchannan Automotive Group Automotive 650 Sarasota Herald Tribune Newspaper 650 FCCI Insurance Group Insurance 550 Suntrust Bank Banking 450 Sun Hydraulics Manufacturer 430 Home Depot Retail 410

Sarasota Careers Management & Professional 27% Sales & Office 25% Service 22% Government 9% Self employed 8%

Our Airport Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport 6000 Airport Circle, Sarasota, FL 34243 941-FLY-2SRQ Airlines Served Air Canada American Eagle Cape Air KLM Air France Alitalia Delta ATA JetBlue USA 3000 AirTran Continental Northwest Airlines US Airways Airport Car Rental Agencies Alamo 1-800-327-9633 Hertz 1-800-654-3131 Avis 1-800-831-2847 National 1-800-227-7368 Budget 1-800-527-0700 Value 1-800-327-2501 History of SRQ The Sarasota/Bradenton Airport dates back to 1939 when government and business leaders from Sarasota and Manatee counties agreed to construct one airport to serve the needs of both counties. A 620 acre site was selected on the Sarasota-Manatee County line through a Federal WPA-CCA grant. In May, 1941, resolutions passed creating the Sarasota/Manatee Joint Airport Authority made up of one representative each from Sarasota County, Manatee County, the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton. A resolution established the name as the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport (SRQ). Aviation facilities were competed in early 1942 as a fighter pilot training base during World War II. During the war, the federeal government spent several million dollars in improvements at SRQ and added another 250 acres to the airport land. Airport facilities began deteriorating after the war and the Authority recognized it could not properly operate the airfield under existing laws. In 1955, the Florida Legislature passed the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Act, which gave the Authority power to maintian and improve the facilities as necessary, adopt bylaws and procedures to operate the airport, accept grants, sell bonds for airport purposes and make/enforce airport zoning regulations. Followng the adoption of the act, the Authority undertook several ambitious programs, including the opening of a new terminal in 1959. Other improvements included parallel taxiway and runway overlay construction in 1963, and a runway extension to 7001 feet in the early 1970’s. In 2002, the main runway was extended to 9,500 feet. Commercial airline service began in 1940, but it was not until 1965 that jet service was provided by National Airlines. General aviation service first appeared at the airport in the ‘50’s, with additional terminals built in 1979, and a commuter facility added in 1983. By the mid-1980’s the Airport Authority owned over 1100 acres. The word “International” was added to the name in 1992 when the U.S. Customs Service agreed to give “Port of Entry” status to the airport. This status is on a user basis with the Airport Authority paying for the customs agents, equipment needed and work area.


Our Public Schools Elementary Schools—Grade K-5 ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY ASHTON ELEMENTARY 1050 Euclid Avenue 5110 Ashton Road Sarasota, FL 34237 Sarasota, FL 34233 941-361-6400 941-361-6440 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 BAY HAVEN SCHOOL OF BASICS PLUS BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY 2901 W. Tamiami Trail 2500 Vinson Avenue Sarasota, FL 34234 Sarasota, FL 34232 941-359-5800 941-361-6230 School Hours: 9:30-3:45 School Hours: 3:30-2:45 EMMA E. BOOKER ELEMENTARY ENGLEWOOD ELEMENTARY 2350 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. 150 McCall Road Sarasota, FL 34234 Englewood, FL 34223 941-361-6480 941-474-3247 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 FRUITVILLE ELEMENTARY GARDEN ELEMENTARY 601 Honore Avenue 700 Center Road Sarasota, Fl 34232 Venice, FL 34292 941-361-6200 941-486-2110 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 GLENALLEN ELEMENTARY GOCIO ELEMENTARY 7050 Glenallen Blvd. 3450 Gocio Road North Port, FL 34287 Sarasota, FL 34235 941-426-9517 941-361-6405 School Hours: 9:00-3:15 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 GULF GATE ELEMENTARY LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY 6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Road 7200 Proctor Road Sarasota, FL 34231 Sarasota, FL 34231 941-361-6499 941-361-6571 School Hours: 8:00-2:15 School Hours: 8:30-2:45


Our Public Schools Elementary Schools—Grade K-5—continued LAUREL NOKOMIS SCHOOL OAK PARK SCHOOL 1900 East Laurel Road 7285 Proctor Road Nokomis, FL 34275 Sarasota, FL 34241 941-486-2171 941-361-6428 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 9:30-3:30 PHILLIPPI SHORES ELEMENTARY PINE VIEW SCHOOL 4747 S. Tamiami Trail 1 Python Path Sarasota, FL 34231 Osprey, FL 34229 941-361-6424 941-486-2001 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 9:30-4:00 SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY TAYLOR RANCH ELEMENTARY 1901 Webber Street 2500 Taylor Ranch Trail Sarasota, FL 34239 Venice, FL 34293 941-361-6420 941-486-2000 School Hours: 8:45-3:00 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 TOLEDO BLADE ELEMENTARY TUTTLE ELEMENTARY 1201 Geranium Avenue 925 North Brink Avenue North Port, FL 34288 Sarasota, FL 34237 941-426-6100 941-361-6433 School Hours: 8:15-2:45 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 VENICE ELEMENTARY WILKENSON ELEMENTARY 301 Bahama Street 3400 Wilkinson Road Venice, FL 34285 Sarasota, FL 34231 941-486-2111 941-361-6477 School Hours: 9:00-3:15 School Hours: 8:15-2:30


Our Public Schools Middle Schools—Grades 6,7,8 BOOKER MIDDLE SCHOOL BROOKSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2250 Myrtle Street 3636 S. Shade Avenue Sarasota, FL 34234 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-359-5824 941-361-6472 School Hours: 7:30-1:45 School Hours: 7:30-1:45 LAUREL NOKOMIS SCHOOL McINTOSH MIDDLE SCHOOL 1900 E. Laurel Road 701 S. McIntosh Road Nokomis, FL 34275 Sarasota, FL 34232 941-486-2171 941-361-6520 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 9:30-3:45 HERON CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL OAK PARK SCHOOL 6400 West Price Blvd. 7285 Proctor Road North Port, FL 34236 Sarasota, FL 34241 941-423-8558 941-361-6428 School Hours: 8:30-2:45 School Hours: 9:30-3:30 PINE VIEW SCHOOL SARASOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Python Paath 4826 Ashton Road Osprey, FL 34229 Sarasota, FL 34233 941-486-2001 941-361-6464 School Hours: 9:30-4:00 School Hours: 9:30-3:45 VENICE AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL 1900 Center Road Venice, FL 34292 941-486-2100 School Hours: 7:30-1:45


Our Public Schools High Schools—Grade 9-12 BOOKER HIGH SCHOOL CYESIS PROGRAM 3201 N. Orange Avenue 4430 Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34234 Sarasota, FL 34233 941-355-2967 941-361-6240 School Hours: 7:30-2:15 School Hours: 8:00-2:00 Mascot: Tornados (Cyesis is a school for pregnant teens) NORTH PORT HIGH SCHOOL OAK PARK SCHOOL 6400 West Price Blvd. 7285 Proctor Road North Port, FL 34286 Sarasota, FL 34241 941-423-8558 941-361-6428 School Hours: 7:30-2:15 School Hours: 9:30-3:30 Mascot: Bobcats (Oakpark is a special education school) PINE VIEW SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 1 Python Path One Ram Way Osprey, FL 34229 Sarasota, FL 34231 941-486-2001 941-923-1484 School Hours: 7:30-1:45 School Hours: 7:30-2:15 Mascot: Pythons Mascot: Rams SARASOTA HIGH SCHOOL VENICE HIGH SCHOOL 1000 S. School Avenue 1 Indian Avenue Sarasota, FL 34237 Venice, FL 34285 941-955-0181 941-488-6726 School Hours: 7:30-2:15 School Hours: 7:30-2:15 Mascot: Sailors Mascot: Indians Adult Education: Adult & Community Education: 1970 Landings Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34231—941-361-6590 Sarasota County Technical Institute: 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34231—941-924-1365 South County Campus of SCTI: 1130 Indian Hills Blvd., Venice, FL 34293—941-486-2164 University of South Florida: 5700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243—941-359-4200


Care For Our Children ACADEMY OF CREATIVE LEARNING ADA-ANNE CHILD CARE CENTER 738 Shamrock Blvd, Venice 1362 Manasota Beach Road, Englewood 941-496-9021 941-493-5165 Ages: 1-5 years Ages: 6 months—12 years THE BEARY PATCH ACADEMY BRIGHT BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL 574 Bronx Avenue, Sarasota 3560 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota 941-925-3486 941-921-6722 Ages: 2-7 years Ages: 2-5 years CHURCH OF THE PALMS CHRIST METHODIST CHILD DEVELOPMENT CNTR. 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota 1475 Center Road, Venice 941-924-1323 941-497-5563 Ages: 6 weeks-5 years Ages: 12 months-5 years EARLY LEARNING CENTER OF SARASOTA FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5220 McIntosh Road, Sarasota 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota 941-923-3385 941-955-8119 Ages: Infant-5 years Ages: 1 month-5 years GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH JULIE ROHR ACADEMY 400 East Field Road, Venice 4466 Fruitville Road, Sarasota 941-485-4312 941-371-4979 Ages: 15 months-5 years Ages: Preschool-8th grade LITTLE PEOPLE’S PLACE MICHAEL’S LEARNING CENTER 374 Scott Avenue, Sarasota 582 McIntosh Road, Sarasota 941-355-8741 941-377-3572 Ages: 6 weeks-5 years Ages: 6 weeks-5 years NEW GATE MONTESSORI SWISS DAY PRESCHOOL 5237 Ashton Road, Sarasota 4010 Camino Real, Sarasota 941-922-4949 941-924-2780 Ages: 18 months-6 years Ages: 3 years-Pre-K TEMPLE EMANUEL EARLY LEARNING CNTR. T.L.C. 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota 2240 Proctor Road, Sarasota 941-377-8074 941-922-5449 Ages: 2-5 years Ages: 6 weeks-6 years


Medical Facilities

The hospitals in our area consistently receive national and international recognition for their state-of-the-art facilities and services. Because Sarasota has a history of attracting retirees, our area has also attracted an excellent selection of retirement options, including long-term nursing and assisted living facilities. Sarasota Memorial Hospital 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Information: 941-917-9000 Physicians Referral: 941-917-7777 www.smh.com Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, our main hospital, is a 845 bed regional medical center and is the second largest public hospital in Florida. With approximately 3000 full-time staff members and more than 1000 volunteers, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the county’s third largest employer. It is a full-service facility, providing acute care, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, outpatient services, home health and long-term care. The hospital, founded in 1925, is among the top 25 in the United States in the number of open-heart sugeries performed annually and has the second largest cardiac program in Florida. It is also one of the first non-academic hospitals in the nation to develop a clincal research service. A leader in healthcare, Sarasota Memorial continues to inhance its services and procedures in order to provide the best possible care to the community. The hopsital also has a wonderful program called “Kids Under the Weather”. This program is for mildly ill children ages 3 months to 11 years who are too ill to attend a regular school program or daycare. It is located within the walls of the hospital and staffed by specially trained child care workers and nurses. Doctors Hospital of Sarasota 5731 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota Information: 941-342-1100 www.doctorsofsarasota.com Doctors Hospital of Sarasota is a 168 bed acute and general care facility serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Emergency Department is professionally staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by board certified emergency physicians. They provide the community with a wide range of medical and specialty services as well as outpatient services and diagnostic and rehabilitation services. Doctors Hospital has designed their facilty with the patient in mind, and strives to provide an easily accessible hospital that meets the growing and changing healthcare needs of the communities it serves.


Medical Facilities Blake Medical Center 2020 59th Street West, Bradenton Information: 941-792-6611 www.blakemedicalcenter.com Blake Medical center is a 383-bed, acute-care, full service medical center and a leading provider of quality, affordable health care in Manatee County. Because they believe in “Quality, Excellence, and Commitment”, they deliver the very best medical care with state-of-the-art medical technologies. Their highly skilled team of hospital professionals deliver a comprehensive range of services, from open heart surgery and oncology, to health education and support groups. Blake Medical Center has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States nine times in a row. Bon Secours Venice Hospital 540 The Rialto Information: 941-485-7711 Physician Referral: 941-483-7600 www.venice-florida.com For nearly 50 years, Bon Secours Venice Hospital has provided a continuum of care to the communities it serves. A mission driven, Roman Catholic health care system, it is part of Bon Secours Health System, Inc. and is governed by a board of volunteer community leaders. Bon Secours Venice Hospital’s wide range of inpatient and outpatient services include 24-hour emergency care. Bon Secours Venice Hospital Walk-In Care Center treats minor illnesses and injuries across from the hospital from 9:00 am—9:00 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Bon Secours Home Health Services and Personal Care Services is a Medicare certified, JCAHO accredited home health agency serving the gulf coast since 1977. Medicare, managed care and private duty services are available. Personal Care Services provides caregivers when Medicare ends or additional help is needed. Bon Secours Venice Health Park is a comprehensive outpatient medical facility offering diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, laboratory, vascular studies, wound care, diabetes education, a community education room, the Venice/Englewood Lions Vision Center, physician offices, cardiac rehabilitation and the Bon Secours South County Heart Center. Bon Secours Venice Health Park Surgery Center is a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center offering services in 13 different specialities. The medical staff specialists operate in four state-of-the-art operating rooms and two Endoscopy suites.


Medical Facilities Lakewood Ranch Medical Center 8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Bradenton, FL 34202 941-782-2100 www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the hospital centered on your care, opened September 1, 2004. LWRMC offers patient-focused medicine and is equipped with advanced technology. Located just two miles from I-75 and bridging Manatee and Sarasota counties, this new, 120-bed acute care hospital has an extensive system of fully-integrated inpatient and outpatient services that share a single purpose—to provide compassionate, quality patient care. Patients have access to a medical staff of over 300 physicians and allied health professionals with a comprehensive range of specialties who use technological advances in medicine.

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Important Numbers

www.SearchforSarasotaHomes.com Sarasota County Offices Property Appraiser/Assessor 941-951-5650 Board of County Commissioners 941-952-5344 Building & Zoning Department 941-378-6117 Clerk of the Court 941-951-5206 Health Department 941-954-2900 Natural Resources Department 941-378-6113 Parks and Recreation 941-316-1172 Resource Conservation (Recycling) 941-364-4663 Government Information 941-951-5200 Property Tax Collector 941-362-9888 Voter Registration 941-951-5307 Convention & Visitors Bureau 941-522-9799 Chambers of Commerce Greater Sarasota 941-955-8187 Siesta Key Chamber 941-349-3800 Longboat Key 941-383-2466 Venice Area 941-488-2236 North Port 941-426-8744 Englewood 941-474-5511 Sarasota County Public Schools Sarasota County School Board 941-927-8811 Exceptional Student Education 941-927-9000 Transportation Department 941-486-2141

Public Transportation Driver’s License Bureau 941-361-6217 License Plates & Tags 941-362-9898 Sarasota Co. Area Transit (SCAT) 941-316-1234 Utilities Florida Power & Light 941-917-0708 Verizon 800-483-4200 Comcast Cable (Television/Internet) 941-371-6700 Peoples Gas (Propane) 941-366-4277 Sarasota County Waste & Sewer 941-378-6100 Waste Management (Garbage) 941-753-7591


Important Numbers

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