SNN MAY RETURN
After a month off the air, Sarasota News Now is poised to return under new ownership.
The all-news cable TV channel had been shut down by its owner, the Sarasota Herald Tribune, as a cost-saving measure.
Although not officially announced, the new owners reportedly are a consortium of investors led by Doug Barker, former general manager of WWSB-TV, and Linda DesMarais, the former manager of SNN.
Barker and DesMarais spent several months rounding up investors to put the station back on the air. It is scheduled to resume operations later this week.
The station went dark at midnight Jan. 28; it had 32 staffers.
One of SNN’s two reporters – Bruce Asbury – has decided not to go back on the air; he announced he is retiring.
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SHORTER WORK WEEK TO BE ASSESSED
The City of Sarasota is considering cutting its work week from five days to four, but bumping up hours employees work from eight to 10.
The reason behind the change is facility cost. It has been estimated that shutting the doors for an extra day – Friday is under consideration – would net about $200,000 a year in savings because of reduced utility consumption.
No lights. No air conditioning. No water. No service, either, to customers – a concern the commissioners intend to assess through surveys of both employees and city hall patrons in coming weeks.
Mayor Lou Ann Palmer has questioned productivity in the waning hours by employees faced with 10-hour work days. Further, the issue has been raised of whether it would be prudent for the city offices, particularly utilities, to be closed on Fridays – a prime day for payment of water, sewer and garbage bills as it is payday for many Sarasotans.
Employees and city residents will be polled on the shorter week but longer-day time change, City Manager Robert Bartolotta said. The results will be submitted to the commissioners later this year.
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SCHOOL MARKING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The staff and students of Phoenix Academy will honor the legacy and continuing contributions of renowned African Americans as they host "Making the Impossible Possible," the school’s annual Black History Month Celebration, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26.
The public is welcome to attend the event, which will include poetry recitations, uplifting music from the Greatness Beyond Measure Youth Community Choir, a step performance by Delta Gems and reflections on the meaning of Black History Month by guest speaker Harriet Moore, assistant principal at Riverview High School.
"We look forward to this event every year," said Rachel Shelley, principal of Phoenix Academy. "This year we will shine a light on the accomplishments of history-making leaders from Frederick Douglass to Martin Luther King Jr. to President Barack Obama."
Phoenix Academy, a Sarasota County public school that gives struggling eighth-, ninth- and tenth-graders new opportunities for academic success, is located just east of Sarasota High School at 1085 S. Shade Ave.
FREE FCAT TUTORING OFFERED BY GROUP AT NEWTOWN PARK
Students in grades 3-11 and their parents and caregivers can get help preparing for FCAT tests at free tutoring sessions weekdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Friday, March 6, in the recreation center at Newtown Estates Park.
Students and family members may attend as many tutoring sessions as they wish, but they must call 941-544-3540 to register in advance for one or more sessions. Parents or caregivers are required to attend the sessions with students. Free family dinners will be served.
The tutoring sessions have been organized by Brothers & Sisters Doing the Right Thing, with support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Sarasota County Government, USF Sarasota-Manatee and a number of volunteers.
"Many parents have requested these sessions, since so much depends on how students perform on the FCAT tests," said Dee Webber, one of the organizers. "Our volunteers include a number of retired teachers and other community members, and we have a lot of resources that help show students what the tests are really like. It’s important for parents to understand how the FCATs work so they can help their students continue to prepare for the tests after these tutoring sessions."
FCAT, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, is based on the Sunshine State Standards, skills and competencies that Florida students should be able to learn from an early age as defined by practicing classroom teachers, educational specialists, business people and concerned citizens.
Various components of the FCAT are administered statewide throughout the school year in grades 3 through 11 – writing for students in grades 4, 8 and 10; reading and math in grades 3 through 10; and science in grades 5, 8 and 11.
Newtown Estates Park is located at 2800 Newtown Blvd. More information about the tutoring sessions is available by calling Alice Faye Jones at 544-3540.
RIVERVIEW FOUNDATION TO HOLD PLANETARIUM FUNDRAISER
The Riverview High School Foundation is sponsoring The Riverview Rendezvous, a fundraising event to benefit Riverview High School and its effort to build a new state-of-the-art planetarium/science center.
The event will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 7-11 p.m. at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, located at 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway.
The cost is $50 per person. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.rhsfoundation.org.
This "Evening Under The Stars" will feature a buffet dinner catered by Clayton’s Siesta Grille as well as a silent auction including items donated by local sponsors, members of the foundation, teachers, students, and parents.
The new Riverview High School Planetarium/Science Center is scheduled to open in February 2010; it is planned to be the largest public-school owned planetarium in the state. It will allow elementary and high school students, as well as members of the community, to experience a wide variety of planetarium shows for free or at limited cost, a foundation news release notes.
The school’s existing planetarium has educated more than 20,000 elementary students in the last six years "and provided a great educational service to the community since it was originally built in 1969," the release adds. "However, the facility is now outdated and in major need of revamping."
The facility "will allow students to experience a new way of learning about the world around them in a 360 degree theater," says Jason Mocherman, planetarium director and astronomy teacher at RHS. "The new Riverview High School Planetarium and Science Center will carry on the tradition of bringing quality science programming to thousands of students each year."
The facility will feature a digital projection system, dynamic lighting, planetarium-style seating, 5.1 digital surround sound, an advanced control system, and production equipment. Once complete, the Riverview High School Planetarium/Science Center will be accessible to local organizations for evening shows.
"The foundation is extremely passionate about this project," said John Kampmann, RHS Foundation president. "Our mission is to provide the students and residents of Sarasota County with a unique educational tool, which will stimulate an interest in learning, with an emphasis on science and astronomy."
Through a partnership with the Sarasota County School Board, the Riverview High School Foundation is only $160,000 away from its $1.7-million dollar goal. The foundation hopes that financial goal can be achieved through the Riverview Rendezvous and local sponsors, the release adds.
"Without community support to raise the remaining funds, the Riverview High School Planetarium/ Science Center will not be built, and Sarasota County will lose a unique educational asset," the release says.
Sponsors have an opportunity to be part of the planetarium/science center through creative naming opportunities. Sponsors can be recognized on a planetarium seat, a hanging honorary plaque, or by naming the building itself.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, or how to make a donation, visit www.rhsfoundation.org.
For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Lucy English at 941-539-1940 or Lisa Rotolo at 941-928-2836, or visit the foundation website at www.rhsfoundation.org.
WATER INTERRUPTION SET FOR BIRD KEY
The water supply to Bird Key will be shut off on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to accommodate public safety enhancements to the City of Sarasota water system.
The temporary interruption will impact the entire key. A boil water advisory will be issued at the time of shut-off and will be in effect for approximately 48 to 72 hours.
During the temporary shut-off, the Public Works Department will make necessary repairs to fire hydrants and add additional water valves to the system, according to a city news release. The scope of work will be limited to one water interruption to minimize the inconvenience to residents.
Seagull Lane, from Bird Key Drive to Robin Drive, will be closed temporarily the same day – from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. However, residents on Seagull Lane will have drive-through access.
Five small areas on Bird Key also will be under construction:
• Robin Drive and Bird Key Drive.
• Warbler Lane and Bird Key Drive.
• Spoonbill Drive and Bird Key Drive.
• 306 Bird Key Drive.
• 471 Meadow Lark Drive.
After the "Boil water" notice is issued for Bird Key, all tap water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled, with the water roiling for at least three minutes. Bottled water may be used as an alternative. Once satisfactory test results are received, a rescission notice will be issued, lifting the boiled water advisory.
To enhance notification of residents, electronic message boards will be placed throughout the neighborhoods. A recorded telephone message also will be disseminated to all Bird Key residents.
For more information, contact David Mazon in the Public Works Department: david.mazon@sarasotagov.com or 365-2200, ext. 6227, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evenings, weekends and holidays, call 955-4838.