We welcome the snowbirds back from up north, where the current weather is abominable. Cold weather has also reached down to Florida but at least the temperature has not dipped way below the freezing point and we are scheduled to be back in the 70's in a couple of days.
In November the first Master Sand Sculpture Contest was held at Siesta Key in Sarasota. The event was held over a four day period and featured master sculptors around the country and around the world vying for $25,000 in prize money.
With temperatures around 80 degrees for all of the days of the competition, it provided sculptors, viewers and beach goers wonderful weather for the event. Siesta Key is consistently ranked with the top beaches in the world, but it's baby powder fine white sand made up of 99% quartz crystal is great for walking and sunbathing, it creates its own problems for the sculptors.
To combat the sand from blowing away, because of it's fine qualities, a mixture of water and glue is sprayed on by the artists and the sculptures are being created.
Winners of the competition were:
Sue McGrew and Sandis Kondrats with their sculpture "Circle of Life". (Shown below)
Second Place went to John Gowdy and Matt Delbert for their sculpture "Let Us Be" (Shown below)
The Sculpture depicts the plight of the sea turtle caught in a fisherman's net.
I have been away from the area for close to two months conducting personal business in California. I have brought my son, Rob, back with me and together we are going to build up both the website and the Pixel Maniac photographic business. Rob was born here, the closest hospital at that time being in Venice, so this is a homecoming for him even though he and his daughter, Taylor, have visited on numerous occasions. Taylor is enrolled in L.A. Ainger Middle School and will be attending Lemon Bay High School next year. Lemon Bay High School is undergoing a $40 million dollar renovation, which will make it one of the premier schools in the state.
Jottie Taylor, owner of At Home with Style, has expanded her shop on Dearborn Street by moving into the space next door formerly occupied by "Bedbugs".
The store has also been renovated resulting in a bright, well laid out environment designed for a comfortable shopping experience.
At Home with Style is the exclusive seller of Life is Good products in Englewood. Jottie has a large selection of men, women and children shirts, pants, caps and other casual wear.
Other items , such as coffee mugs, are available which feature the Life is Good mascots Jake and Rocket in various activities - all appropriate for Florida living.
At Home with Style also features a great selection of home decor items. Included are: dishes, glasses, coasters, cocktail napkins, serving bowls, spoons, decorative picture frames, and other items.
Jotti also has a nice selection of jewelry, both sterling silver and semi precious stones.
The pet boutique features pet carriers, leashes, collars, bowls and dishes, toys and other pet goodies.
At Home with Style's website will be revamped before the end of the year, however, Jottie invites you to visit the site either to purchase on line or to preview some of the items before visiting the store.
Normally I concentrate on businesses in the Olde Englewood Village but sometimes it's nice to write about other worthwhile establishments.
One of these is the Pig'n'Whistle British Pub off Gasparilla Road in Rotonda.
Over the years British cuisine has vastly improved, especially with the number of foreign nationals that have relocated to Britain. No longer does the "meat and potatoes" label fit the bill.
The Pig'n'Whistle is an example of fine dining at reasonable prices. Some of the old British staples are on the menu such as:
Bangers (sausage) Mash (potatoes) and Onions.
Fish, Chips (French Fries) and Mushy (squashed) Peas.
and
Steak and Guiness Pie.
On the other hand you can try:
Chicken Madras.
Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin.
New York Strip Steak.
Filet Mignon.
Roast Duck with Wild Berries.
or
Roasted Salmon.
The Pig'n'Whistle Gastropub is open Monday thru Saturday from 4pm to late.
It is always fun to watch the plovers and sandpipers on the beach dashing along the receding waters to dig out a juicy morsel before the next wave approaches. Others, like the pelican and terns, dive into the water to catch their meals while some of the big herons wait for the fishermen to throw them something. There are a large number of species of shorebirds on the beaches of Englewood sharing space with us, such as the American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, Least Tern along with the Plovers that nest on the beaches.
From February 1st. to the end of August is the breeding season for these shorebirds and there are certain areas in Stump Pass State Park, as well as on Palm Island, that are roped off to provide a protective space for the breeding adults. The birds avoid the main beaches and choose isolated areas to lay their eggs. During this period of time the breeding areas are roped off to provide a protected area for the birds. The birds lay their eggs directly on the ground and are not easily seen due to their coloring, which closely matches the surroundings.
Missy Christie, an Environment Specialist with the Charlotte County Government, briefs a group of volunteers known as the Shorebird Stewards at Stump Pass. The volunteers monitor the area for nesting birds, using binoculars and a scope, and educate the public regarding the habitat of the birds and the impact of humans and animals on their survival.
When nesting birds are disturbed and flushed from their nest, the eggs are exposed to temperature extremes, predators like crows, raccoons and dogs, and risk being stepped on by humans. In some cases the birds will abandon the nest with the eggs with fatal results for the chicks.
What can you do to help: Please stay out of the roped off areas. Keep your dog on a leash. If birds take flight, you are too close. Stop and chat with the Shorebird Stewards, the possibility is there that they have a nest in view on the scope. Consider volunteering for the Shorebird Stewards. Contact Missy at (941) 764-4360 if you are interested.
Art Benches on Dearborn Street.
Visitors to Dearborn Street now have a number of new resting places thanks to the Art Alliance of Lemon Bay and a number of local artists. Diane Davidson (the bench project manager), with the help of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Area), and the artists of the Art Alliance did a magnificent job in producing 17 benches and there are still 3 more in the works. Not only do the benches provide a place for shoppers to rest but they also show off the talents of the artists. The concrete blocks that support the benches have quotations cast into the sides of the legs, further enhancing their unique qualities.
Some of the quotes are from famous individuals, some are from songs and others are anonymous. Each bench will have a plaque with a donating sponsor's message and/or business address. Sponsors are not limited to Dearborn Street merchants, but to anyone. To see more of the fabulous benches, visit http://www.englewoodfl.us or CLICK HERE and we will take you there.
UpRight Shutters and Blinds is now operating out of Deborah's Interiors, 475 Dearborn Street, and offers high quality shutters, blinds, shades and window treatments. Choose from top manufactures such as Norman, Hunter - Douglas, Prestige and Sunshine Shutters to name a few.
For large sliding patio doors, Larry Tobe recommends the "Vertiglide System" with honeycomb construction providing privacy, sound absorption and temperature control.
There have been a number of changes happening in the local area worth talking about. Some new stores on Dearborn Street have replaced some vacated businesses, a local restaurant relocated from the south end of Englewood to Dearborn Street and a couple of new residents have brought their expertise to this area.
The Royal Palm Marina, located at 779 W. Wentworth in the heart of downtown Englewood, is under new ownership. Johnna and Dale Wentzell bought the Marina in November of last year and have been working hard to make the necessary changes to the business. There are lots of changes planned but some of the things are going to remain. These include a 50 ton travel lift along with an excellent technician to ensure the Wentzell's commitment to customer service. Palm Beach boat rentals are available, with the emphasis on affordability, along with a live bait well, rods, reels, nets and other fishing equipment making the Royal Palm Marina a one stop destination for your fishing needs.
Live aboard facilities are available for those who wish to overnight in the area or stay longer if they so desire. 30 amp and 50 amp electricity is available dockside along with internet wireless service. A full pumping station is available along with both gasoline and diesel fuel. Bicycles, with baskets, are provided for those who wish to cycle down to Dearborn Street to shop or dine.
On the 29th, 30th and 31st of January, Johnna and Dale threw an open house featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue pork, cole slaw and the rest of the trimmings along with beer served from the Tiki bar. Prizes were also awarded. Below is a selection of photographs taken on the 29th.
Guests enjoy their meal in the indoor section while others prefer the outdoor area.
Mike Forester handles the grill while Barbara Field wraps the food in tin foil for the guests to pick up.
On the left crew member Lataine Forester talks to a visitor while handing out cold beers from an ice chest.
In March the Palm Harbor Marina will have a full kitchen and and construction will start on turning the upstairs section of the building into a restaurant with a gorgeous view across Lemon Bay. Updates on their progress will follow in future blogs.
Stop by and visit Johnna and Dale and welcome them into the area. They can be reached at: Marina Office: 941-475-6882 Marina Fax 941-473-7525.
Joining the merchants on Dearborn Street is the Island Girl Collections, a gift shop described as "Shabby - Tuscan - Chic". Their address is 409 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood and their phone number is 941-474-7800.
The La Stanza Ristorante opened its doors in the second week of January, moving from it's previous location at 3555 S Access Road 776 when the lease expired. The move into the former Bootleggers location on Dearborn Street is a good fit for all concerned, adding an established restaurant to the downtown area. Excellent food has always been a trademark of La Stanza and they have not made any menu changes when they moved and their menu consists of traditional Italian favorites along with some American dishes.
La Stanza joins a number of restaurants on Dearborn Street that generally have a casual atmosphere, indoor and outdoor dining and live music. These include: Compadres - a Mexican Restaurant. Cafe de la Bay - An American restaurant with a French flair. Vino Loco - a Wine and Tapas bar. Englewoods on Dearborn - American and European dishes. Mango's - Paninis, French Crepes and Wraps. Gorgeous deserts.
Another restaurant, Beyond the Sea, has opened in the location previously occupied by La Stanza - 3555 S. Access Road 776 - is open for lunch and dinner. They can be reached at 941 - 474-1400.
JJ's Hometown Restaurant, 3754 N. Access Road, has replaced the vacated "High Tide" restaurant.
A world wide traveler who has seen parts of over 40 countries. Learned to enjoy each of the experiences for their unique perspective and way of life, not how they compared with any one country. Prefer now to see as much of this country as I possibly can.
Second Place went to John Gowdy and Matt Delbert for their sculpture "Let Us Be" (Shown below)
