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Sarasota News Leader October 26, 2012 Siesta Seen THE NOT-SO-FUN STUFF Among topics he addressed, Tatge reported that county crews cleaned up more than 550 tons of seaweed on the beaches during the summer, with 495 of those tons originating on Siesta Key. The cost of picking up all that seaweed and removing it from the beaches was about $233,000, he added — and all but about $46,000 of that was related to the Siesta op- erations. SAFE TREATS AND SANDFEST Trick-or-treaters will be welcome as always in Siesta Village on Oct. 31, with businesses offering Halloween candy to youngsters be- tween 3 and 6 p.m. This will be the 28th year for Safe Treats, which is organized by the Siesta Key Village Association. Look for the black and orange balloons at par- ticipating businesses. Just two days later, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce will host its biggest annual fund- raiser, SandFest, at the Siesta Beach Pavilion. The primary reasons Siesta was so high up in those counts, Tatge added, was that Crescent Beach is about 4 miles long, and county staff can reach it easily with equipment to pick up the seaweed. Tatge explained to me during the summer that the county has to deal with significant limita- tions in access to beaches to undertake sea- weed cleanup, given the size of the equipment it uses. Moreover, he said, the equipment is operated most safely on wide beaches, such as the Siesta Public Beach. SandFest proceeds make up a large portion of the fund needed for the annual July Fourth fireworks. For this 22nd observance of SandFest, the theme is "Fantasy Island." From 6 to 10 p.m., participants can enjoy a catered meal, live en- tertainment, dancing, a silent auction and a cash bar. Theme attire is most welcome. Tickets are $25 for members; $30, for non-members. For more information or for tickets, call the chamber at 394-3800, stop by the office in Da- vidson Plaza on Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Village or visit www.siestakeychamber.com. Take Your TimeYou Have All Week Enjoy The News Leader Anytime - Day or Night Page 97