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Is that spaghetti on the sand and in the water? Nope, it’s manatee grass

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE You might have seen some strange-looking clumps floating in the Gulf or lying forlornly on the beach recently … clumps that look more than a little bit like spaghetti. Unfortunately, nature doesn’t have its own pastamaker, but this marine grass is definitely a favorite food of our sea cows. Manatee grass, […]

Three new green turtle nests this week on local beaches

BY SUE ERWIN – Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patrol members were happy to report three new green sea turtle nests documented on island beaches this week. “This is exciting news,” said Board member Mel Csank. “Last season we had only two Green turtle nests, so we are trending ahead significantly this year.” The north beach […]

PROFILE: Ashley Scarpa

BY SUE ERWIN – Ashley Scarpa has been an entrepreneur in the restaurant business since 2006. Since April, she and her husband Glenn have been leasing the space that, until last summer, was home to PJ’s Seagrille located at 321 Park Ave. on the island. They own and operate Scarpa’s Coastal restaurant. The husband-and-wife team behind […]

Another terrific World’s Richest event has come and gone, thanks to the help of many

To the Editor: The 37th annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament was filled with Grande traditions, exciting tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, expert captains, mates and anglers, generous sponsors, incredible judges, talented artists, hardworking volunteers and the love and spirit of the Boca Grande Community. The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to […]

Change is coming at the Pink Pony: Introducing Tortuga!

■ STAFF REPORT As of Tuesday, June 18, 2019 the Pink Pony will be officially giving the reins of its kitchen to David Mota, creator of its new kitchen concept and the name, “Tortuga.” Tortuga Mexican Street cuisine is the brainchild of Pink Pony Owners, Julie Camp and Ken Heineman Sr, and Jr, as well […]

Turtle nests relocated due to beach work

■ BY SUE ERWIN Due to the current beach renourishment project, Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patrol members have relocated 15 nests – 12 between 2nd and 18th Street and three at the South End from Gasparilla Island State Park. “They have been moved to a safe location, and we’ll continue to monitor nests in […]

Profile: Ozzie Lessinger

■ BY SUE ERWIN Ozzie Lessinger learned to fish before he could walk. His father, an avid fisherman, put 6-month-old Ozzie in a backpack carrier and placed a fishing pole in his hand and taught him to fish. Ozzie was hooked, so to speak. Originally from Tuxedo, New York, Ozzie moved to Tallahassee with his family when he […]

Fishing for a cure: 2019 Boca Grande Classic raises $240,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

■ BY SUE ERWIN The 2019 Raymond James and RSA Boca Grande Classic was tremendously successful this year, netting more than $240,000 for a very good cause. The objective of this annual event is to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an organization with a mission to cure cystic fibrosis by funding research and drug development […]

FWC: Pay those manatees no mind – they’re just doing their thing

To the Editor: It’s that time of year: Mote Marine Laboratory scientists have started observing manatee mating herds (multiple males trying to mate with a female) around Sarasota’s beaches and inshore waters. The public should always give the manatees plenty of space to ensure safety of both the animals and onlookers. Often, as the female […]