SIESTA KEY
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 49, NO. 45
FREE
YOUR TOWN
How to pay for the bay
PAGE 6 •
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019
Overture denied City leaders turn aside the Sarasota Orchestra’s plan to build a new home in Payne Park. SEE PAGE 3
Courtesy photo
Temple Sinai hires new rabbi Temple Sinai has hired a new rabbi to lead the congregation. Rabbi Samantha Kahn, who will succeed Rabbi Geoff Huntting, will begin her role July 1. Kahn holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Florida and a master’s degree in Hebrew letters and Jewish nonprofit management from Hebrew Union College. Temple Sinai will host a welcome reception at 5:15 p.m July 5.
Overtown celebrated Rosemary Square celebrated Sarasota’s first black community at Overtown Heritage Day on May 19. The ceremony featured the rededication of the historic “First Black Community” marker, and hosted speakers such as former Sarasota mayors Carolyn Mason and Fredd Atkins. Dedicated in 1985 by the Sarasota County Historical Commission, the marker tells the story of the first black settlers in Sarasota and details how the black community has grown. “From the time of this community’s founding, the black residents living and working here have played a vital role in the development of both the city and the county of Sarasota,” reads the marker.
Stepping into the future High schools begin graduation season. SEE PAGE 17
Brynn Mechem
Sarasota High’s Kirsten Verheul, Alejandra Villegas and Leslie Deharo were all smiles as the graduation ceremony approached May 17.
Rules of the season
Turtle Tracks AS OF MAY 18 TOTAL NESTS: 2019 2018 Lido Beach 9 3 Siesta Key 69 6 Casey Key 151 41 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2019 2018 Lido Beach 8 5 Siesta Key 75 8 Casey Key 113 62 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
File photo
When turtles nest, teams keep an eye out for violations. SEE PAGE 4
A+E Painter breaks the rules. INSIDE