HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS - Today is the start of Atlantic hurricane season. Stay informed before, during & after a storm by signing up for Alert Sarasota. Receive rapid emergency updates via phone, text and/or email. Sign up: AlertCitySarasota.com City of Sarasota residents should select "City of Sarasota" to receive alerts specific to our area. Hurricane season runs through November. #sarasota #cityofsarasota

Yesterday, about 430 City of Sarasota employees enjoyed a Summer Employee Appreciation Luncheon at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, curated by the City's Employees United Committee. Food options showcased local businesses - burgers and pulled pork from Mouthhole BBQ, fried-to-order chicken, mac and cheese, and oxtail from G's Southern Kitchen, cake pops from Simply Sweets SRQ, and salads from Maximillian's Cafe. The Employees United Committee was created to show appreciation to City staff and explore ways to give back to our community. It is composed of 10 representatives from different City departments. The group plans special events, recognition initiatives, and philanthropical activities throughout the year. This year's Summer Appreciation Luncheon featured a pet supply drive benefitting the Suncoast Humane Society, which collected over three boxes full of food, treats, and toys. (PS - Want to be at the next one? Check out our available jobs online at: www.SarasotaFL.gov/jobs) #Sarasota #CityofSarasota #EmployeeAppreciation

[Disclaimer: Medical information disclosed in this post was freely given and approved for sharing by the subject.] "It's been a long journey," shares City of Sarasota Refuse Equipment Operator Howard Young. In 2020, Howard came down with COVID and was hospitalized with pneumonia. When his breathing rate started dropping, he was sent to the ICU. He eventually needed to be induced into a coma to help his body gain the strength to fight off the virus and heal. When he woke up two and a half months later, Howard was faced with a difficult choice - amputation of both of his legs below the knee or living with the risk of blood clots that could be fatal. "They told me, 'You're going to live, but either you live with the possibility of dying with your legs, or we amputate them, and you can have prosthetics and live a normal life.'" After the surgery, Howard was admitted to a rehabilitation facility, where he started intense physical therapy and learned to use his new prosthetic legs. "I was going back and forth to rehab every day. My trainer took so much time with just me on my own. He was very dedicated to getting me back to taking care of my family – that was my main concern. My boys... I just wanted to show them that this is not the end. You've got to fight through each and every thing, because God gives you things for a purpose. You've just got to fight, each and every day. It's going to be a different situation every day, just keep battling and don't give up." Howard kept in touch with his Solid Waste team coworkers, which greatly encouraged him. "They called me every day, checked on me every day. They came by my house when I got out of rehab. They've just been here supporting me physically, mentally, socially – everything, every day. And it's just like – how do I repay them for that? I just come to work and do what they tell me to do." [Continued in Comments]

RINGLING BRIDGE LIGHTING 🔴⚪️🔵 Tonight! The Ringling Bridge will be lit in red, white, and blue to recognize Juneteenth. The lights will be turned on 30 minutes after sunset and turned off 30 minutes after sunrise. To learn more and see a full schedule of bridge lightings, visit: https://www.SarasotaFL.gov/Bridge-Lights 📸 Photo by Norm Schimmel #Sarasota #CityofSarasota #RinglingBridge #Juneteenth

Wishing all the dads a wonderful Father's Day! Enjoy your special day...and thanks for all you do every day to help make our community special. #sarasota #cityofsarasota

Earlier today, vendors and community groups lined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in the historic Newtown neighborhood for the annual Juneteenth Block Party. The event was organized by Gwendalyn Fleetwood and co-sponsored by the City of Sarasota. "The Juneteenth Block Party accomplished exactly what it set out to achieve, and that is togetherness!” said Mayor Kyle Scott Battie. “Gwendalyn Fleetwood did a great job putting this event together as usual, partnering with our Sarasota Police Department, our public works and special events staff, all of the vendors, Newtown, and people from all over our great City. Juneteenth was another success, and I appreciate everyone for an extremely fine job!” #Sarasota #CityofSarasota #Juneteenth

REMINDER: City administrative offices will be closed for the national Juneteenth holiday on Monday, June 19. Residential garbage/recycling/yard waste pickup will be collected as usual. More info including details about the Sarasota Newtown Juneteenth Block Party we're co-sponsoring on Saturday, June 17 👉 SarasotaFL.gov #sarasota #cityofsarasota

LIDO BEACH 🏊🏽‍♂️ 🕶️ 😊 Shout out to @10tampabay for chatting with City Engineer Nikesh Patel about our gorgeous beach! The restoration project from 2021 is working as designed and Lido Beach is in wonderful shape. See for yourself! Come out for a swim, sun, and fun! And catch the news reports tonight. #sarasota #cityofsarasota #lidobeach

JUNETEENTH - Celebrate with a City co-sponsored block party in Newtown on the 17th! And be sure to check out City closures for the national holiday. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ The City of Sarasota’s administrative offices will be closed Monday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth national holiday. Residential garbage, recycling, yard waste collection and commercial garbage collection schedules will be unaffected by the holiday. Hours of operation at recreation and cultural arts facilities are as follows: * Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. * Lido Pool, 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, will be closed. * Bobby Jones Golf Club remains closed for renovation. *Payne Park Tennis Center, 2050 Adams Lane, will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. *Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St., will be open from 6 -10 a.m. *Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail - The Box Office will be closed. The City is also co-sponsoring the Sarasota Newtown Juneteenth Block Party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 17. The event will take place along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, between Osprey Avenue and Pershing Avenue. The event will include food trucks, vendors, a DJ, live music, and family friendly activities. “It’s an honor to co-sponsor this event, which illustrates how inclusive and welcoming we are as a community,” said Mayor Kyle Battie, adding, “As the number one place to live in Florida, it’s more vital than ever to find inspiration for the future by remembering the past.” For more information about the Sarasota Newtown Juneteenth Block Party, contact event promoter and organizer Gwendalyn Fleetwood at [email protected] or 941-536-6906. For more information about garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection, contact the Solid Waste Division at 941-365-7651 or visit the Solid Waste webpage on SarasotaFL.gov. #sarasota #cityofsarasota #juneteenth

On this 7th anniversary of the horrific act of terrorism against the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Gov. DeSantis has ordered flags to fly at half-staff today, #PulseRemembranceDay, as a mark of respect for the victims and families. 49 people were killed and 53 wounded on June 12, 2016. #sarasota #cityofsarasota

PARKLETS - You're invited to join the conversation about parklets on June 21 @ 5pm @ City Hall! Learn about standards, aesthetics, permitting and fees for parklets, which allow outdoor dining to expand into designated public parking areas. #sarasota #cityofsarasota

Good morning, #Sarasota! 🌕 ⛵ 📷 Norm Schimmel #cityofsarasota