Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/105484
Sarasota News Leader January 25, 2013 Page 67 ENHANCED SAFETY LIGHTING INSTALLED AT URFER FAMILY PARK Upgraded and energy-efficient safety lighting has been installed at the playgrounds of Urfer Family Park, 4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota, the county has announced. "Urfer Family Park provides a unique combination of recreational and learning opportunities with playgrounds for toddlers through teens, a fitness trail and a 1-mile nature trail through pine flatwoods and forested wetCrews from Himes Electric Co. Inc. put in lands," the release points out. The nature trail concrete bases, electrical conduit and poles includes an observation boardwalk. and fixtures, retrofitting existing lighting with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) fix- In addition, the park has a picnic pavilion, retures, a county news release says. strooms and the historic C.B. Wilson House. "The lighting will enable park patrons to enjoy For more information, contact the Sarasota the playgrounds longer during the shorter day- County Call Center at 861-5000, or visit www. light hours of fall and winter," the release adds. scgov.net. SBEP ANNOUNCES SIX FREE GUIDED KAYAK TRIPS The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) will be offering several free kayak excursions in Sarasota Bay, the nonprofit organization has announced. the School Programs Coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory, is the kayak tour leader. He is also a member of the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), the release says. The next trips include those in the Lido Mangrove Tunnels (Feb. 2 and Feb. 16), Blind Pass (March 2 and March 16), and Lyons and Blackburn Bay (April 6 and April 20), a news release says. All of the SBEP kayak excursions require online registration at sarasotabay.org. Participants are required to bring their own kayaks and gear. Outfitters throughout the region rent kayaks and offer demonstrations and beginner classes, the release notes. The Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program is for experienced kayakers. "The SBEP Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program is a fun learning opportunity to discover the plants, animals, habitats and restoration projects that distinguish Sarasota Bay," the release says. Brad Tanner, a professional guide and "The late Jack Taylor, a respected marine biologist and former member of the CAC, launched the kayak tour program in 2007 as part of a SBEP Bay Partners Grant," the release points out. THREE CHARGED IN HOME DEPOT THEFTS The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has charged three people in a scheme to regularly steal merchandise from Home Depot in Venice and return it for store credit, the office has announced. On at least eight occasions, members of the group entered the store with stolen merchandise or took items off the shelf and went to the service desk to return them, a Sheriff's Office news release says. Each time the suspect would receive store credit on a gift card and