708 Casey Key Road Nokomis, Florida The Herron Group Nick Herron 941-350-5035 RE/MAX Aliance Group

708 Casey Key Road
Wonderful Casey Key Get-A-Way--- Key West Style---Cottage, Bay views, New Boat Dock and Deeded Beach Easement Across the Street To Deep Sandy Beach, Lovely New Large Decks Front and Back to Enjoy the Sunrise and Sun Sets and the Great Breezes, Vaulted Cei ilings Ceramic Tile Floors, Three Car Garage, Room for Pool in the Private Landscaped Fenced Yard, Three bedrooms, bath and a half upstairs and two bedroom one bath apartment down (non-conforming) Least expensive Bay front on Casey Key reduced to $1,175,000 Sold furnished Nick Herron 941-350-5035

Beach, Bay or Back Nine...Live the Dream

Sarasota Barrier Island Turtle Update

As of June 13, 2009 Mote Marine reports of turtle nesting activity for 2009:

Longboat Key Manatee County: There were 43 Nests and 30 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Longboat Key Sarasota County: There were 41 Nests and 29 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Lido Beach: There were 3 Nests and 15 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Siesta Key: There were 43 Nests and 52 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and 1 Nest and 1 False Crawl for Green Turtles.

Casey Key: There were 148 Nests and 99 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Venice Beach: There were 67 Nests and 28 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and no Nests or False Crawls for Green Turtles.

Totals as of June 13, 2009: There were 345 Nest and 253 False Crawls for Loggerhead Turtles and 1 Nest and 1 False Crawl for Green Turtles.

A little background on these two types of turtles: Provided by NESTS: Neighbors Ensuring Sea Turtle Survival

Loggerhead

Scientific name: Caretta caretta. The loggerhead's
Common name is derived from the size of its head.
Appearance: Adults and sub adults have a reddish brown
Carapace (upper shell) and a dull brown to
Yellowish plastron (lower shell).
Size: Most adults weigh between 250 and 350 pounds
And have a carapace between 3 and 4 feet long.
Reproduction: Loggerheads return to their nesting
Beach at intervals of 2, 3 or more years during their
Nesting season, which runs from May through September.
They lay 4 to 7 nests per season. The average
Number of eggs per nest is usually between 100 to 126.
Eggs incubate for about 60 days.

Green Turtle

Scientific name: Chelonia mydas. The green turtle's common
Name is derived from the green color of the fat that lies
Just under the upper and lower shell.
Appearance: A single pair of scales on the front of its head
Distinguishes the green turtle.
Size: Adults weigh between 225 and 350 pounds and
Measure between 3 and 4 feet.
Reproduction: Green turtles return to their nesting beach
In intervals of 2, 3 or more years. They lay an average of 3 to
5 egg clutches during the nesting season, which runs from
June through September, but a female may lay as many as
10 clutches. Greens lay about 115 eggs per clutch, which
Incubate in about 60 days.

Another interesting fact about Sea Turtles:

Research indicates that the sex of an embryo is determined sometime after fertilization, as the embryo develops, and may be temperature dependent. Lower nest temperatures produce more males; higher temperatures produce more females.
As always Mote Marine is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Turtle Program during the five plus month period, starting May 1 to Nov 1 each year.

The Turtles Nesting on the Sarasota Barrier Islands just adds to the ambience of living and enjoying the lifestyle of the Sarasota Barrier Islands. If you would like to look at any of the properties on any of Sarasota Barrier Islands (Casey Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Venice Island, Manasota Key, or Longboat Key) the Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron 941-350-5035 with RE/MAX Alliance Group are ready to show you.

Island Prayers and the charmed Casey Key Community Library

Not a day goes by without discovering new reasons to absolutely adore Casey Key, Florida. The Blackburn Point swing bridge is undergoing repair for the month of June, but I took a visitor on a Casey Key joyride from the tip to the top of all eight-miles of luxuriant island the other day. As we prepared to turn the convertible around near the bridge, we impulsively pulled into the parking lot of the Casey Key Library. Located at 800 Blackburn Point Road just across from the Casey Key Fish House, this community-inspired gem of a library would have charmed our socks off, had we been wearing any. But we’d been enjoying the beach just moments before so…no socks.

We were greeted by volunteer librarian and Casey Key resident Connie Davis, whose warm smile and generous welcome made us feel like old friends. We learned that the Casey Key Library is an independent not-for-profit corporation, founded in 1984 by resident Marion Shaw in her spacious garage. This is a computer-free, low-tech, gracious operation complete with a card catalog and self check-out. The library is stocked with hardcover bestsellers and treasures, most of which are less than two years old, and its community room hosts meetings and neighbors. The library is open to residents of Casey Key who are members of the Casey Key Association, and has become quite the neighborhood gathering place.

The Casey Key Library not only provides an impressive collection of spellbinding reads, it also serves the greater good. Two or three neighbor-friendly fundraisers per year generate monies that support literacy programs and local schools. The day we stopped in, a book by a local resident lay open on the desk and I checked it out immediately. It was the stunning “Island Prayers” by author and photographer Jack Perkins, former NBC news correspondent and host of A&E’s “Biography.” Such a fitting book to read later at day’s end as I enjoyed another sunset on Casey Key, Florida.

Living on the barrier island of Casey Key, Florida, is truly “living the dream.” The Casey Key Library simply adds to the dream life of this friendly, welcoming community. Nick Herron & Kathleen Herron of the Herron Group would be glad to show you any of the properties listed on Sarasota’s Barrier Island of Casey Key. Call 941.350.5035.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

A Little Inconvenience in Paradise

All I have been hearing from everyone off the Key (Casey Key) lately is. “What are you going to do when the Blackburn Point Bridge is closed for the month of June?” Yes it is going to be a little inconvenient when we want to go up to Sarasota. We will have to allow an additional fifteen minutes, but we get to drive down Casey Key and enjoy all the views.

Over the years since I first bought on Casey Key in 1987 the “Bridge” has been closed for periods of time. In the early 1990’s the “Bridge” under went substantial repairs. At that time, a majority of Casey Key residents, as well as Sarasota County officials, the Florida D.O.T. and the Historical Society, favored rehabilitation of the existing one-lane Swing Bridge, rather than replacement with a new larger, higher two-lane draw bridge.

However, the Coast Guard denied the permit because the horizontal and vertical clearances did not meet Coast Guard navigational standards. As a result, interim (five to ten year) repairs were made, and the “Bridge” won a reprieve.

The Blackburn Point Swing Bridge is a daily reminder of Florida’s past. The “Bridge” has been a fixture of Casey Key since the mid-1920s when it was one of several bridges installed locally as a result of a 1924 bond issue. This is the only swing bridge in Sarasota County and only a few left in all of Florida.

Another little inconvenience is that Jimmy is going to close the Casey Key Fish House for summer vacation while the “Bridge” is being repaired. Now that is a "bummer" for Casey Key residents here for the summer.

But don’t worry the Herron Group, Nick Herron and Kathleen Herron with RE/MAX Alliance Group will be here to show you the reason we all love Paradise “Casey Key” even with a little inconvenience.

We still want to keep our “Bridge”.

Beach, Bay or Back Nine…Live the Dream

Casey Key & Manasota Key Real Estate Update

Casey Key and Manasota Key, two of Sarasota’s Barrier Islands are located on either side of the Island of Venice. Casey Key is to the North between Venice and Siesta Key. Manasota Key is located South between Venice and Stump Pass. There are a lot of similarities between the two. Two/ Thirds of Manasota Key is in Sarasota County as well as all of Casey Key. Both Casey Key and the Northern two /thirds of Manasota Key are in a conservation district that was established in the early 1970’s by the Florida State Legislature. This with its zoning restrictions will keep the two keys more like they are with no high-rises, just single family homes, except for the few "Old Florida" motels that were grandfathered in at that time.

Casey Key and Manasota Key Real Estate Update as of April 18, 2009.

Casey Key

Active Single Family for Sale 57

Priced from $1,000,000 to $18,500,000

Active Lots for Sale 12

Priced from $334,000 to $12,500,000

Sale Pending 1

Sold this Year 0

Manasota Key

Active Single Family for Sale 45

Priced from $629,000 to $7,500,000

Active Lots for Sale 9

Priced from $675,000 to $17,800,000

Sale Pending 2

Sold this Year 4

You can visit the Herron’s site http://www.caseykey-real-estate.com/ go to In The News and see all the listings on both Casey Key and Manasota Key.

You can also search our neighbor maps of Sarasota to get more detail and virtual tours of the different properties. If you would like to see any of these properties please call the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance group, Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron 941-350-5035

Dinner over Looking Casey Key

Last night we met some friends from Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club and Silver Oaks at the Aqua Restaurant & Little Wet Bar which over looks the North end of Casey Key. It is located in front of Bellagio Harbor Village condos, which just changed their name to Osprey Harbor Village. (This was because they had a lawsuit from The Bellagio in Vegas over the name & they decided to change the name.)

You can come by car or boat (channel Marker 33) which adds a lot to the ambiance of the restaurant and the great sunsets over Casey Key are just a big plus. Wednesday is Jazz with Dinner night and the Aqua was very busy and the food was wonderful as usual.

The Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group, has one of the condos listed for sale. It has long Bay views looking North over to North Casey Key & up the Inter-coastal water way from the Living room, master bedroom and large tiled terrace. From the two other bedrooms you see the boat basin, docks, and marina. This unit has been reduced to $849,000. Plus you get a dry boat slip (Casey 12).

If you would like to see this condo or any others in the Osprey Harbor Village or any of the Casey Key Real Estate properties please call or e-mail Nick Herron or Kathleen Herron, the Herron Group, RE/MAX Alliance Group at 941-350-5035.

Casey Key Incorporation - Not this Year

At the meeting on March 30, 2009 concerning the incorporation of Casey Key, there was a call for an impromptu straw vote on how many residents present had an interest in the idea of having Casey Key become incorporated.

David Macrae a Casey Key resident who had organized the meeting called for a show of hands in support of incorporation. Only five residents raised their hands. He then asked who was opposed to the incorporation. The rest of the residents present raised their hands. There were probably a little over 100 Casey Key residents in attendance. There are around 567 registered voters on Casey Key.

The straw vote outcome was a surprise to all present. The group for it is pressing on to inform the residents as to the positives of being incorporated.

At this time it looks like the House Bill 1225, which has to become, a referendum in order for the residents of Casey Key to vote on the issue may not be heard this year by the Florida House Military and Local Issues Committee. If House Bill 1225 is not heard and passed the Casey Key residents won’t be able to vote for or against incorporation this year.

If you’re interested in Casey Key, one of Sarasota’s Barrier Islands e-mail Nick Herron, the Herron Group, and RE/MAX Alliance Group or call 941.350.5035.