Tube Dude

I encountered this clever bit of art situated in Burns Square near downtown advertising a spa.  A local artist is creating these metal figures which he calls Tube Dudes.  (With the turquoise high heels and flipped hair, I'm supposing this is a dudette.)  You can read more about it on the Tube Dude website.

Football Sponge

I loved how this 10-year-old was absorbing every word and every move by his coach.  The Ringling Redskins pee wee football teams play on Tuesday nights, and it's so much fun to watch them and take photos.  After I was almost taken out on the sidelines by a tough little running back, I bumped into a friend's husband who coaches the Arapahoes, which was a pleasant unexpected surprise.  

We've Moved!

It's not often you see a "We have moved!" sign outside a police department.  But, SPD officially moved yesterday.  The public portion of SPD, where people report issues and pick up records, moved around the corner to the new police headquarters.  The rest of the police department will continue moving over the next few weeks.   The new $40 million building was constructed after voters overwhelmingly approved an extra property tax a few years ago, right before the real estate market plummeted.  Rumor is...the old building (which really, really outlived its purpose) might be imploded.  I'm daydreaming about photo opps already.

Mable's Statues

This is one of the many statues in the Mable Ringling Rose Garden at the Ringling Museum of Art.  It's one of my favorite places to wander in the city.  It's a great escape, taking in the fragrant flowers and interesting statuary.  And, here's a bonus:   the gardens are free to the public.  To see a previous post from the garden click here.

Tattoo Mind Twister

These men were having a rather animated discussion in Five Points Park in downtown.  So, I figured it probably wouldn't be a good time to ask the shirtless guy the meaning of the tattoo inked across his back which reads, "In Memory of BREAD".   Of course, the only thing I could think of was the 70's band Bread.   This one is a mind twister.

Towles Court

This is a portion of downtown known as Towles Court.  It's a colorful, funky artist colony that's amazingly serene considering it's just three blocks from U.S. 41, a busy five lane highway.   I don't know if it's the large old oak trees creating so much shade, the lush vegetation or all the bright old cottages snuggled close together, but when you step foot into Towles Court you feel like you've been transported to a remote little island.  A few dozen artists work in the renovated cottages and open their doors the third Friday night of every month for Art Walk where there's live music, cocktails and, of course, art.  Coastal Living Magazine named Towles Court one of the top ten artist colonies in the U.S.  I had a great time taking pictures here....more posts to come!

The Other Side

On the other side of town, away from the art galleries, museums, shops and beaches, you'll encounter open spaces, farms and ranches.  This guy was really handsome and inquisitive as he patrolled a paddock in the golden evening light.

Firey Glow

I haven't seen a fireball sunset like this for quite some time.  I was torn between driving toward it and watching it get bigger before it set, or pulling off University Blvd. and dashing into the road to nab a shot.   You can see which option won.

Watery Wednesday

Take your pick:  soar above the azure water of the Gulf of Mexico or flop down in it.  Either way you can't go wrong on Siesta Key Beach.  Happy Watery Wednesday!  To see other photos from around the world click here.

Mixed Messages

I always wonder when I see a chair positioned outside somewhere for no apparent reason.  I was especially wondering about this one sitting near a fence with a 'Beware of the Dog' sign.  Neither man nor beast were spotted.  

Go Team!

Not only is the youth football league underway (which I showed here), so is the youth cheerleading league. I caught up with these young members of the Warriors squad while were practicing their cheers adjacent to two football practice fields.

Sarasota's Ringmaster

You'll see the name 'Ringling' all over Sarasota.  The Ringling Museum, Ringling College of Art & Design, Ringling Bridge, and Ringling Boulevard to name a few.  John Ringling, and his wife Mable, spent their winters in Sarasota after he made his fortune in the circus business.  This is a statue of John Ringling on St. Armands Key, which he used to own.

Art Here

When I first saw this, I thought, 'This is Sarasota!'  As I may have mentioned in previous posts, Sarasota is known as an arts community.  All the arts  -- painting, sculpture, music, ballet, theatre etc. -- are embraced here.  I found this clever guy positioned at the entrance of 10th Way Artisans, which  is tucked down a dead end street near downtown.  They describe themselves as a little 'guerilla artist colony' -- a place for artists to work who weren't formally trained.   Looks and sounds intriguing.  I'll have to return and explore the area sometime when they're open.   

Going Up

I drive down the same street every weekday and recently noticed this plant growing up a power line a few blocks north of downtown.   I'm not sure what species it is, but it's making the climb quite rapidly.  Do you think the utility company will remove it?   That will give me something to ponder (other than the news du jour) while I'm stuck in traffic.

Autumnal Feeling

A fallen pine cone on a bed of needles makes me think of fall. Although, it doesn't feel like it during the day, I'm quite certain I felt a smidge of autumn in the air last night.  Now..let's just get through hurricane season without any problems!

Watery Wednesday: Sail Away

Bird Key Park near downtown is a popular launch site for wind surfers.  While it looks carefree, I think I lack the balance for something like that.  Especially in the middle of the bay far, far away from land.

Blending In

This young BMXer almost blended right into the background the other night at the training course in Sarasota.   I'm always amazed by the diverse age range of the participants:  from 3-years-old to 50+.   One of the 3-year-olds was a sweet little girl sporting pink shoes.  Of course, when I spotted her the lighting was bad.   Yet another good reason to return soon! 

Roll Reversal

Notice anything unusual about these parking jobs?  They're all reverse angle parking.  A few years ago, when the city was studying its public parking inventory,  one block of Gulfstream Avenue in downtown was turned into reverse angle parking.  The theory is that reverse angle parking takes less room and thereby more spaces can be created.  Well, they're a hit.  They're a bit odd to navigate at first, but well worth it when you experience the ease of driving away.

Sunset Moon

The pink and oranges hues of the sun setting in the Sarasota sky were spectacular -- and then the moon showed up.  What a beautiful evening.

September 11

Where were you nine years ago when the terrorist attacks happened?  I was in Tampa and was dispatched to Sarasota, where President George W. Bush was sitting in an elementary school reading to  children.  There are many, many things about that day that I will never forget, among them:  cruising south on I-75 listening to erroneous radio reports about car bombs exploding outside the U.S. Capitol, and looking up at the sky, which was eerily devoid of airplanes until just before the Sarasota exit, when Air Force One suddenly shot overhead in a near vertical incline.  Let's remember what happened nine years ago today...who did it and why.  God bless America.

Tent = Trouble

If you see a tent like this covering a house or any building in Florida, it can mean only one thing:  termites.  Pest companies are hired to cover a structure and fumigate the inside.  During the process, you have to move out  --- definitely not fun.  I spotted this tent in the Golden Gate neighborhood in downtown.   

Pee Wee

There's something about a big helmet on a little kid that's just too cute!   Pee Wee football is quite popular here in Sarasota, with the Ringling Redskins League.   I've driven by the practice fields many times and seen them running drills from afar, so I decided last night to stop by with my camera.  This little guy is part of a team comprised of 8 and 9-year-olds.  Most don't have the attention span to stand still for three minutes, let alone remember where they're supposed to stand and then where to go and who to block or tackle.  So, I give a tip of the hat to Coach Jeff and the other coaches who seemed to be quite patient, but firm, as they positioned these up and coming players play after play after play.   

Watery Wednesday

I encountered this mother and son kayaking on Sarasota Bay near downtown early in the evening.  They were all smiles talking to each other.  What a great way to spend some quality time together.  Click here to see more Watery Wednesday photos.

Standing Guard

This lion is standing guard outside Galileo restaurant in Burns Court.  I've never been inside, but the outside sure is inviting.

Sunset on the Bay

On this Labor Day weekend, many people are relaxing and enjoying sunsets like this one on Sarasota Bay.  This was taken at the base of the Ringling Bridge near downtown.

Peace of Glass

This is one of the stained glass windows in the vestibule of Church of the Redeemer in downtown near the bayfront.  I like the colorful reflections and the railing leading up to the second floor.  It's amazing the peace that stained glass can bring to a room, particularly in a church.

Puffy Pigeon

This plump pigeon caught my attention roosting atop the roof of Hart's Landing, a bait shop, near downtown Sarasota.  Even though he was perched with dozens of other pigeons, he stood out with that  prominent puffed out chest.   

TGIF!

Your table awaits at O'Leary's tiki bar in downtown Sarasota.  Cold beer...dog friendly environment...and located right on the bay.  What else do you need on a Friday?

Lighthouse

This is a different kind of lighthouse!   Every time I go to the Saprito fishing pier near downtown, I see this great blue heron (or one of its friends/family) sitting atop this street light.  I can only imagine the view he has up there, gazing off into the distance over Sarasota Bay.  

Watery Wednesday

No signs of whoever was playing here on Siesta Key Beach.  Perhaps they waded into the water to cool off and contemplate their architectural plans for a grand sand castle.  Click here to see more Watery Wednesday photos from around the world.