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Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 Page 65 SARASOTA COUNTY CIVICS 101 PROGRAM ACCEPTING FALL APPLICATIONS Sarasota County Neighborhood Services is accepting applications for the fall session of its popular Civics 101 program, the office has announced. "Civics 101 offers residents a behind-thescenes look at the everyday operations of their local government," a news release says. "Participants will have an opportunity to see county government operations firsthand, including the Sarasota County Commission, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Libraries, Emergency Management, Communications and more," the release adds. "Civics 101 is one of our most popular proSarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane (right) addresses staff grams and frequently has a waiting list," said members in the Emergency Operations Center Community Outreach Specialist Kaitlyn Johnin preparation for a possible strike by Tropston in the release. "Without fail, people who ical Storm Isaac last summer. Photo by Norgraduate from the program say two things: man Schimmel They had no idea the county offered so many as part of the Keep Sarasota County Beautiful different services and they've never had so program," the release says. Some graduates much fun." have continued their education by volunteerStaff members from county departments pro- ing, including serving on advisory boards. vide presentations, conduct tours of facilities and answer questions from the participants, the release notes. Among the new activities this fall will be a guided tour of the Sarasota County jail and a mock hurricane drill, during which the Civics 101 students "will have to make key decisions under pressure while sitting in the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center," the release adds. The fall session of Civics 101 will begin on Sept. 3, with classes taking place in various locations around the county every Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Participation is free. New residents, retirees, business professionals and teens are encouraged to apply for the 10-week program. Twenty-five applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 16. Civics 101 has been offered by Sarasota Coun- Applications are available on the county's ty government since 2000; sessions are con- website at scgov.net/neighborhoodservices. ducted twice each year. For more information, contact the CounThe most recent graduating class members be- ty's Call Center at 861-5000 or e-mail came so involved that they adopted Ibis Road kjohnsto@scgov.net.