Five things to know about Sarasota's Legacy Trail

 https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2021/09/23/five-things-know-legacy-trail-between-venice-and-sarasota/5821140001/

Herald Tribune, Staff Report, Sept 23, 2021

When did Sarasota's Legacy Trail open?

The original, 12.5-mile-long Legacy Trail was opened in primitive form in January 2006, and connected the southern portion of the onetime Seaboard Air railroad line right of way from Center Road north to what’s now known as Culverhouse Nature Park. It was later paved in 2008. The original trailhead for Legacy Trail is the Venice Historic Train Depot, which reopened in October 2003 both for historical tours and as a transportation hub for Sarasota County Area Transit. The Legacy Trail also links with its older sibling, the Venetian Waterway Trail. That 9.3-mile trail spans both banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. Its construction was spearheaded by Venice Area Beautification Inc, which is currently working to build an Urban Forest along the Legacy Trail, just south of the Venice Avenue Bridge.

Who can use the Legacy Trail?

While the Legacy Trail is limited to cyclists, runners and walkers, it is also possible to ride a pedal-powered Surrey Ride between late January and mid-April from Sandra Sims Terry Community Center at 509 Collins Road for a 45-minute tour of that original trail section, while learning about the history of the trail, as well as the local wildlife. The free tour is organized by Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, though tax-deductible donations are accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols are in effect for the surrey rides. A four-passenger maximum, along with a 600-pound weight limit are also enforced. Visit https://www.scgov.net/parks to learn more.

What were other names proposed for the Legacy Trail?

The Friends of the Legacy Trail formed in December 2006, under the cumbersome moniker of “The Friends of the Venice to Sarasota Rails-to-Trails," with a goal of raising funds to help improve the trail. It was later changed to the Friends of the Legacy Trail, shortly after the Sarasota County Commission voted to change the trail’s name in May 2007. That name beat out other contenders such as “Palmer Parkway,” in honor of Bertha Honore Palmer; “Elephant Walk;” and “Circus Trail” which were meant to honor the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its use of the rail line to travel to is winter home in Venice. 

When will the Legacy Trail be completed?

The push to extend the Legacy Trail north to Payne Park in Sarasota and then south/east toward North Port from Nokomis received support of 70.6% of voters in November 2018, as they approved a $65 million bond issue to pay for the work. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic fostered a dramatic rise in use of the trail from roughly 225,000 riders annually to more than 400,000. The northern extension of the trail is being built in three sections. A 2.75-mile portion of that extension, spanning from Bahia Vista Street to just south of Proctor Road, opened in July. The entire northern extension is anticipated to open in late 2021. Technically, an unimproved section of the trail already connects through to North Port via a bridge connecting the Carlton Reserve to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is already open. A paved trail connecting with a trailhead at Calera Street near Price Boulevard is anticipated to open in in early 2022 as well.

When is the Legacy Trail open and where is it?

The Legacy Trail is open every day from 6 a.m. to sunset. You can access the Legacy Trail at any point along its track, but there are also trailheads that offer free parking and a convenient place to rest. Some also offer restrooms and other amenities.

Culverhouse Nature Park, 7301 Mcintosh Road, Sarasota

Legacy Trail Access-McIntosh Road, 7905 Mcintosh Road, Sarasota

Osprey Junction Trailhead, 939 E. Bay St., Osprey

Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey

Laurel Park and Sandra Sims Terry Community Center, 509 Collins Road, Laurel.

Nokomis Community Park, 234 Nippino Trail E., Nokomis

Nokomis Riverview Park, 251 Riverview Dr. S, Nokomis

Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice

Historic Venice Train Depot, 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Venice Challenger Baseball returns to action on new ‘Field of Dreams’

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2021/09/20/venice-challenger-baseball-returns-action-honors-rich-carroll/8315613002/

Earl Kimel, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Sept 20, 2021

 VENICE – Almost three dozen Venice Challenger Baseball athletes got their introduction to the fall baseball season via Les McCurdy Saturday afternoon at the new Challenger Field of Dreams baseball complex. 

“Challenger baseball at its best,” McCurdy said, shortly after thanking the Venice High School Chorus for singing the National Anthem. “Who cares about NCAA football, we’ve got Challenger baseball. That’s right, we’ve got the players right here ready to go and you’re going to get to meet each and every one of them!” 

McCurdy, owner of McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre – where he hosts the Special O’Laughics – and a huge proponent of both Challenger baseball and the Special Olympics, went on to introduce every player, complete with a little background that covered their favorite food and hobbies and offered them a chance to say something to the audience. 

One of McCurdy’s Special O’Laughics vets, Jonathan “J.C.” Chace, was ready for his turn at the mic and made the most of it. 

“I want to give a big shout-out to my buddies David Jones and Meredith Michaels at 107.9 WSRZ and a big shout-out to everybody at iHeart Media in Sarasota and Tampa,” said Chace, who is visually impaired but often opts to use the traditional Challenger ball instead of a special beep ball mode. “And I’m going to hit a home run tonight that will knock the radio towers out of the county.” 

 Gianna Falbo and Jonathan Chace run to first base after hitting during a Venice Challenger baseball game Saturday afternoon in Venice.  DAN WAGNER,SARASOTA-HERALD TRIBUNE

Chace went on give a shout-out to his buddy, Coach Rich – Rich Carroll, the founder and driving force behind Venice Challenger Baseball and its mission to serve all athletes, as well as its quest for the two-field complex, which is at 920 Gulf Coast Boulevard, tucked in behind the Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club.

Carroll died in July at age 72 but did get to see a livestreamed practice game of athletes playing at the complex, which features a specialized rubber field that’s better for wheelchair athletes. 

Chace went on to talk about his favorite foods, which are carrot cake, barbecue ribs and chicken wings, as well has his favorite part about Challenger baseball. 

“My favorite part about Challenger Baseball is getting a pretty girl to help me around the bases,” Chace quipped. 

At that McCurdy shot back, “The only thing is, there’s no pretty girls to help you run the bases – I have to do it. 

“Sorry J.C.” McCurdy continued, then added, “OK, we’ll find a pretty girl.”

Chace actually had at least one and sometimes two young ladies buddy up with him for his time on the base paths. 

Nancy Carroll threw out the ceremonial first pitch. 

“And I think Rich would want you to throw a curve-sinker,” McCurdy coached. 

Nancy Carroll threw an easy strike to catcher/coach Tony Spahn. 

“My pitch, it was right on, that’s what they said,” she said afterwards. 

Saturday marked the first time that athletes for Venice Challenger Baseball were able to take the field since the March 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shutdown cut short their season, when the league was still playing on Chuck Reiter Field in Venice. 

“We couldn’t have played at Chuck Reiter, we’d have been rained out, it would have been muddy,” Price noted. Typically, the players would have been split into more teams, with the older players using the traditional field with a clay infield. 

Instead, partly because of the recent rains, all of the athletes used the clay field.

Izabella Lupia challenges the pitcher during a Venice Challenger baseball game Saturday afternoon in Venice. DAN WAGNER, Sarasota -Herald Tribune

Friday night, at a special thank-you ceremony for Venice Challenger sponsors who helped either through financial or in-kind contributions to build the new complex, incoming Venice Challenger President Mike Beaumier said the league had to be especially cautious because many of the athletes were in high-risk categories for contracting COVID-19. 

In historical terms, Mia Affeldt, representing the west dugout team, got the first hit on the new field – a sharp single past pitcher/coach Steve Price – and later came around to score on the next hit.

That happens a lot in Challenger baseball, along with aggressive baserunning and inside-the-park home runs – accompanied by buddies for added safety – laughs and cheers. 

The Sunset Chevrolet scoreboard had the west dugout team doubling the run production of the north dugout team, with an edge of 32-16. But the north team never got another turn at-bat because the hamburger and hot dog feast prepared by volunteers from One Christ Won City was ready. 

Nancy Carroll was heartened by the turnout. 

“Incredible how many kids have showed up, so many kids – new kids,” she said. “Unbelievable; Richard would be proud.” 

Jonathan Clark, 22, one of those new athletes, signed up Saturday after seeing the league in the newspaper, his mother Ruth Morgan said. 

“He loves it,” she said. “We actually live up near Bradenton and our in-laws live here in Venice. 

They were taking part in the Venice Presbyterian Church “Buddy Break” when they learned about the local Challenger Division, but he had also played in leagues in North Carolina and Michigan. 

The Venice Challenger Division operates under the auspices and insurance of Venice Little League, as other Challenger Division programs do under their parent Little Leagues.

After the game Price, who will succeed Carroll as coach and also serves as the program’s chaplain, gathered the athletes together for a post-game prayer, team-led pep talks and a final cheer that after a one-two-three countdown is usually “Challenger.” 

They changed it Saturday; on the suggestion of the players, it was changed to “Coach Rich.” 

So, on the count of three, they all cheered “Coach Rich!” 

“That was pretty good,” Price said. “One time was good enough.” 

Before he died, Rich Carroll requested that the field not be named in his honor but, as McCurdy noted in his opening talk, he will forever be intertwined with the ballpark. 

“His legacy lives on every time one of these kids hit this field,” McCurdy said. “And that’s going to be happening for 100 years.”

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Trucks with relief supplies from North Port head to Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Staff Report

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2021/09/13/north-port-police-send-6-600-relief-supplies-louisiana-parish/8311115002/

Staff Report, Published Sept 13, 2021

North Port Police officers and volunteers prepare to load a truck full of relief supplies bound for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's office in southern Louisiana.  PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF NORTH PORT

NORTH PORT – The North Port Police Department and North Port Police Officers Association collected more than $6,000 in donations and packed two large moving trucks with relief supplies for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office in southern Louisiana. 

Supplies were collected at the North Port Police Department. The trucks and volunteers departed Friday for the Parish, which was decimated by Hurricane Ida. 

The North Port Police Department and North Port Police Officers Association collected more than $6000 in donations and were able to fil two large moving trucks that left Friday for Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's office in southern Louisiana.  PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF NORTH PORT.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

9/11 Memorials Honor Victims, 20th Anniversary In Sarasota County

 https://patch.com/florida/sarasota/9-11-memorial-events-honor-victims-20th-anniversary-attacks

Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff     Tue, Sep 7, 2021 

Events throughout Sarasota County will honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. (Shutterstock)

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. More than 3,000 people died on 9/11 and memorial services organized throughout Sarasota County honor the victims of these terrorist attacks.

Sarasota National Cemetery

A 20th anniversary commemoration will take place Saturday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72 in Sarasota. The commemoration continues the tradition that began Sept. 11, 2001, when the Sarasota Ministerial Association first held a prayer vigil at J.D. Hamel Park.

The names of each person who died during the 9/11 attacks will be read during the ceremony. Those attending Saturday have the option of standing for specific individuals who died during the Sarasota Fire Department's Tolling of the Bell and when the bagpipers play "Amazing Grace."

Congressman Greg Steube, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Venice Diocese, Bishop Dabney Tylor Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, NAACP President Trevor Harvey, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, and local police and fire chiefs, mayors, and commissioners will participate in the event.

A 70-plus community chorus will also perform during the commemoration.

Special commemorative coins have been minted to mark the occasion, and will be presented to Sarasota's first responders, veterans, active-duty military, Sarasota Elks Lodge members and 9/11 survivors in attendance. A procession of all clergy and distinguished presenters will begin the service.

The first 500 attendees arriving at the commemoration will be given red and white and blue flowers to be placed in a mesh that will eventually become the American flag located in front of the stage.

City of North Port virtual service and Remember the Fallen Memorial 5K Run

North Port Fire Rescue will host a virtual event Saturday at 9 a.m. on the city of North Port's Facebook page. The memorial service will include a flag raising, ringing of the bell and a few speakers. It can be viewed online here.

The city's annual Remember the Fallen Memorial 5K Run will be held virtually this year as well because of the spike in COVID-19 cases. 

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

USF Sarasota-Manatee will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Friday at 8:15 a.m. with a flag-raising event before shifting to the campus courtyard for guest speakers, patriotic music, and the participation of local first responders and representatives of the Armed Forces. Light refreshments will be served afterward in the Selby auditorium.

Among the speakers will be USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook and retired New York City firefighter Garrett C. Lindgren.

A member of Rescue Company 3, Lindgren was among the first responders at the World Trade Center immediately following the collapse of the north tower. He was later among the rescuers at ground zero from Sept. 11 to Dec. 15, 200 and suffered career-ending injuries while searching through rubble.

City of Venice 9/11 memorial service

The city of Venice will host a 9/11 memorial service Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd.

The event will feature guest speakers and patriotic music. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs and social distance. Cold water will be provided.

 Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Braves Path to the 2021 Postseason is in Their Hands

https://tomahawktake.com/2021/08/23/woodbridge-wines-video-contest-adam-jones/

by Jake Mastroianni Sept 3, 2021

With all the turmoil the Atlanta Braves have had in 2021 they still have all their goals within their grasp as they enter the final month of the season. 

It’s honestly crazy to even write that headline with where this Atlanta Braves team was even a month ago when they were third in the NL East.

Since then they’ve held as much as a 5.5 game lead in the division before seeing that dwindle down to two games.

Still, entering the final month of the season and the last 29 games, their path to the postseason is pretty clear — win and you’re in.

And while the road ahead isn’t easy, it’s also not that difficult.

They just got done playing the hardest teams left on their schedule in the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. And while they lost all five of those games, there is some solace in knowing three of those games were one-run games and they weren’t overmatched in any of them.

This team is capable of competing with the best teams in baseball.

Braves remaining schedule

They’re in the middle of a four-game series in Colorado where the Rockies have been one of the best teams in baseball. But the Braves got off to a good start with a comeback win on Thursday.

Braves remaining schedule

They’re in the middle of a four-game series in Colorado where the Rockies have been one of the best teams in baseball. But the Braves got off to a good start with a comeback win on Thursday.

If they can win two of the next three they’ll be in good shape coming home where they face a terrible Nationals team, the Marlins, and the Rockies.

Then they have to go back out West to face the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Padres.

The Giants are coming back down to Earth a little and are beatable. The Padres are crumbling, and the Diamondbacks are one of the worst teams in the league.

Finally, the Braves finish up at home with a huge series against the Phillies and end with the Mets.

Certainly not the easiest schedule down the stretch, but with the way this team has played since the trade deadline I feel like they’re more than capable of winning all of those series.

Braves’ Math for Holding Off the Phillies

And the Braves essentially have to win every series the rest of the way in order to stay ahead of the Phillies who have the easiest schedule down the stretch.

After some tough games against the Marlins and Brewers, they play the Rockies, Cubs, Mets, Orioles, Pirates, Braves, and Marlins.

Let’s do a little math and see how many games the Braves need to win.

The best month the Phillies have had this year was in August when they went 17-11. They’ve had double-digit losses in each month.

I could realistically see them going 19-10 or even 20-9 the rest of the way.  That’s likely the best-case scenario for the Phillies, but also really possible with their schedule.

That would put their overall record at 88-74.

And I honestly think the Braves could go 19-10 the rest of the way with their schedule, and that’s predicting a series loss to the Giants and a four-game split with the Padres.

That’s also predicting a series win at home over the Phillies, which will be a big series.

The best month the Braves have had this year also came in August when they went 18-8.

As I said earlier, I definitely believe this team is capable of going on a similar run in September to clinch the division.

If they can win two of the next three they’ll be in good shape coming home where they face a terrible Nationals team, the Marlins, and the Rockies.

Then they have to go back out West to face the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Padres.

The Giants are coming back down to Earth a little and are beatable. The Padres are crumbling, and the Diamondbacks are one of the worst teams in the league.

Finally, the Braves finish up at home with a huge series against the Phillies and end with the Mets.

Certainly not the easiest schedule down the stretch, but with the way this team has played since the trade deadline I feel like they’re more than capable of winning all of those series.

The path for them is clear, just take care of business and win the series that you should and perhaps sweep a series or two. Either way, I hope fans enjoy this final month of the regular season and what this team has had to overcome to put themselves in a position to win the division a fourth straight year.

 Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179

Florida zoo receives orphaned baby manatee rescued off Venice coast

https://nbc-2.com/news/state/2021/08/31/florida-zoo-receives-orphaned-baby-manatee-rescued-off-venice-coast/

by Katelyn Massarelli  9:37 PM EDT, Wed September 01, 2021 

 TAMPA, Fla. – Zoo Tampa received a tiny patient this week, and she is the smallest rescued orphaned Manatee calf the zoo has treated!

The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center received the baby manatee. The center is one of only two places that takes orphan calves in, according to zoo officials.

The female manatee weighed in at 44 pounds and was found in the Gulf of Mexico near Venice.

She was rescued by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field staff.

Zoo Tampa officials said she is doing well under the car and watch of the zoo’s Animal Care team and Veterinary team.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate

REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964

West Villages Realty LLC

19503 S West Villages Pkwy

Stes A2 (by Appt)

Venice, Florida 34293

Office: 941-460-3179