Turtle Bay Condos - Paradise on Manasota Key

Sarasota Super Boat Grand Prix

turtlebaycondos — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:29:39 +0000

SARASOTA SUNCOAST SUPER BOAT GRAND PRIX

The Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix will take place in Sarasota again this summer after all, with the Sarasota County Commission voting unanimously on Tuesday to provide $79,200 for the event. The commissioners, who last month had offered less than half that amount, will also provide $3,500 in so-called “in-kind services” to support the race. Festival officials had set an April 11 deadline to raise the money or shelve the boat races, which are held over the Independence Day weekend. Suncoast Charities for Children, the group behind the boat race and festival, has held the event each summer for nearly three decades but struggled this year to generate necessary financial support. “Very few Sarasota businesses came forward to support us or donate since we announced we were struggling to find the funding,” said Lucy Nicandri, the festival's director. “We are very fortunate that we got the county to approve this.” The overall cost of the 10-day festival, which includes the boat races, a fireworks display and a boat parade down Sarasota's Main Street, is $150,000, Nicandri said. Of that, the boat race costs about $100,000 for liability insurance, fees paid to racers, staff on the beach and on the water, marine mammal control and helicopter and crane rentals. The balance funds the festival's annual fireworks display. Much of that cost this year, however, is being covered by Marina Jack restaurant, Nicandri said. The annual event has an economic impact of more than $14.3 million and generates 13,000 room nights of hotel activity, according to data from the charity. Since the charity's stated deadline, Nicandri said that only $1,500 had been raised from local residents and business owners, even though the Sarasota Area Sports Alliance had sent out community notices to spur more donations. But even before the county's action Tuesday, the charity had some success in fundraising, albeit primarily from government sources. At a news conference in late March, two attendees donated $11,000 to the boat race. Last month, the county had offered $28,500 to help cover costs, but race officials said the amount was not sufficient and turned down the offer. The charity also received a $15,000 grant from Visit Sarasota County, the county's tourism agency, and nearly $36,600 from the City of Sarasota, also for “in-kind” services. That amount is more than $5,000 higher than what the city donated in 2012, Nicandri said. Longtime sponsors Sarasota Ford and Gold Coast Eagle Distributing also have donated again this year. Gold Coast's donation totals $35,000. Dana Gourley, a Sarasota resident and member of the local powerboat racing team Reds Offshore Racing, was relieved to find out that the event would continue in Sarasota this year. “This is such a key race in our season and it is right in our own backyard,” Gourley said. “There is a sense of community at the boat races, and it's important that we continue to support that.” Even so, the race may not be able to count on so much government support going forward. County commissioners discussed budgeting sanction fee money for the boat race in future years, but that remains undecided for now. Commissioners also said Tuesday during a meeting in Venice that this year's funding comes with a stipulation that the charity not seek additional county money — other than sanction fees — in the future, Nicandri said. Still, she was gratified to be able to stop fundraising for this year. “The festival and race have been a tradition in this community for 28 years, and we are extremely grateful to both the county and city commissions for their support,” Nicandri said.

Owls nesting at Stump Pass State Park

turtlebaycondos — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:29:29 +0000

ENGLEWOOD - Manasota Key birder and photographer Al Baker photographed a pair of Great Horned owlets in their nest at Stump Pass State Park on the morning of March 9.Baker writes, “The great horned owlets are about 6 to 7 weeks old, with a few days difference in age between them. The older of the two fledged 2 days prior and had been seen perching in trees adjacent to the nest. When I arrived Saturday morning a little before 8 a.m., I was surprised to see the fledgling back in the nest with its younger sibling. Shortly after I arrived, the fledgling flew out to a nearby tree, just as the mom flew in. Upon mom's arrival, the fledgling came right back, hoping it was time for breakfast. Mom stayed for about 10 minutes and fed both, apparently by regurgitating food from her mouth (my viewing was blocked by the nest). While one was feeding, the other would fly back and forth to the branch on the right. Once both were fed, mom turned and flew away. The next morning, both owlets had fledged and were seen together in the top of a tree about 100 yards from the nest.”

Englewood History with Zest

turtlebaycondos — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:35:09 +0000

Englewood's Lemon Bay Fest starts Friday

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130131/ARTICLE/130139978/2079/NEWS?Title=Englewood-s-Lemon-Bay-Fest-starts-Friday

Lots of Tree Trimming

turtlebaycondos — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:13:44 +0000

We've been sprucing up our landscaping starting with lots of palm tree trimming and even opening up the view at the water Lots of new mulch and planting - even a new sprinkler system!

Squeaky Clean!

turtlebaycondos — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:11:56 +0000

Thanks to Advanced Pressure Cleaning Solutions and Joe's staff of dedicated employees, the exterior of our buildings have never looked so squeaky clean. A week was spent on all exterior buildings including all walkways, the pool deck and pool furniture. Busy, busy, busy!!!!

RAYS RELEASE SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE, PRICES

turtlebaycondos — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:12:43 +0000

Schedule Includes 17 Home Games at Charlotte Sports Park

ST. PETERSBURG, FL—Both the schedule and ticket prices for the Tampa Bay Rays Grapefruit League games at Charlotte Sports Park were released today. The Rays will play 17 spring training home games at Charlotte Sports Park against major league opponents in 2013. Pitchers and catchers will report on Tuesday, February 12 and the Rays will begin their home schedule on Saturday, February 23 with a split-squad game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Charlotte Sports Park. The home schedule at Charlotte Sports Park includes games against all four American League East opponents as well as the American League Champion Detroit Tigers (February 28) and the Philadelphia Phillies (March 8 and March 15). The Rays will conclude the Grapefruit League slate on Saturday, March 30 at Tropicana Field against the Tigers, and will open the regular season at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, April 2 against the Baltimore Orioles. Single-game spring training tickets for games at Charlotte Sports Park will go on sale in January with a specific date to be announced, and range in price from $10 to $27. Fixed seat prices in Field Box, Field Reserved and Baseline Reserved categories remain the same as those in 2012, while Berm/Boardwalk general admission tickets will be available starting at $10. Spring training season ticket holders continue to enjoy discounted ticket prices for the 17-game spring schedule at Charlotte Sports Park, as well as opportunities for discounts on Rays merchandise and parking. Fans interested in placing a $50 deposit for spring training season tickets can do so by visiting raysbaseball.com/springtraining or by calling 888-FAN-RAYS. All individuals who have placed a deposit will be contacted in January to select their seats.

―RAYS―

For more information please contact the Rays Communications Dept., (727) 825-3242. The Tampa Bay Rays have proudly represented Major League Baseball in the Tampa Bay region since 1998. The organization and its foundation are committed to building a strong community bond through meaningful interaction and charitable contributions.

Welcome to Turtle Bay in 2013

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:38:24 +0000

We’re very excited to launch our new web site just as we enter our busiest season. We’ve been working hard to spruce up not only our condos, but power washing the exterior of all buildings and planting new landscaping. Our beautiful heated pool has new equipment and is working perfectly. We have new furniture in some units and have been getting wonderful feedback from our guests. We’ve had a terrific 2012 with so many of our guests booking return visits. The fishing was extraordinary last year and we had many visits at our private dock from manatees. You can now find us on Facebook thanks to the nudge of Skip and Maryl who return twice a year, every year. Please share our new web site with your friends and we hope to see you soon! - Susan