The Lersch Group's Blog

Well, Floridians, Hurricane Season is back!  Actually, it has been, but the newest storm, Tropical Storm Fay (soon to be Hurricane Fay) has just made us more aware of it.  Like most everyone who lives in Florida, we are accustomed to keeping a close eye on the weather this time of year.  Today, especially, we are tracking Tropical Storm Fay and waiting to hear about Manatee school and Sarasota school closings.  What a way to start off the school year, huh?

For those of you outside of Florida, or those who are new to the area and have never experienced a tropical storm or hurricane, it is critical to be prepared.  You should know what supplies to have on hand, what level evacuation zone you live in, nearby shelters, and evacuation routes. Following is a list of suggested supplies along with some helpful web sites to assist you in keeping up-to-date on Florida weather conditions. 

SUGGESTED HURRICANE SUPPLY LIST 

Canned goods and nonperishable foods that do not need cooking, such as:

• Canned meats and fish
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Canned soups and puddings
• Canned fruit juices
• Dried fruit
• Bread, cookies and crackers
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Coffee and tea
• Bottled water 

Manual can opener 

Bottled water (1 gallon per person/per day) 

Prescription medication (2 week supply) 

Pet food 

Water purification tablets (halazone) 

Disposable plates, cups, and utensils 

Infant care items:

• Disposable diapers
• Baby wipes
• Baby food
• Formula 

First aid supplies 

Masking and duct tape 

Flashlight or lantern, with extra batteries 

Battery operated radio, with extra batteries 

Watch or battery operated clock 

Ice chest & ice

Matches 

Canned heat (sterno) 

Portable outdoor camping stove or grill with fuel supply 

Plastic trash bags

Plastic sheeting or drop cloth 

Chlorinated bleach 

Personal hygiene items

Other useful items:

• Work gloves
• Sun lotion
• Insect repellent
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Wrenches
• Handsaw
• Razor knife
• Ax or chainsaw
• Rope caulking
• Nails and screws
• Rope and wire
• Broom, mop and bucket
• All-purpose cleaner
• Ladder
• Sandbags
• Portable generator
• Tree pruner
• Shovel, rake and wheelbarrow
• Sheets of plywood

There are numerous web sites that provide storm tracking and advisories:

Weather.com                      http://www.weather.com/

Tampa Bay Online                http://tbo.com/

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration        http://www.noaa.gov/

Boat US                              http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/

For those of us who have weathered the storms of Florida through the years, you know what to do.......

Prepare for the worst.  Hope for the best.  Take what comes.

Lakewood Ranch will be hosting the fourth annual eFest, aka Florida's Green Living Music and Arts Festival on November 15 - 16 at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

Efest is a major green living music and arts festival that unites hundreds of
organizations and individuals that care about our environment. Highlights include the Green-N-Healthy Expo with more than 175 exhibitors, panel discussions with top experts, the dynamic Children's Eco-Village, a special area promoting Florida-friendly landscaping, a tent displaying entries to the Efest Trash to Treasures Eco-Art Contest, live performances by top bands on the main stage, eclectic dance performances on the performing arts stage, an eco-fashion show, a food court with 25 vendors, and a beer and wine garden.

Efest welcomes everyone of all ages. That includes four-legged friends as long as they are kept on a leash.  Efest will be raffling a number of other great items including two bikes from Village Bikes located in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. A list of all of our raffle prizes will be posted online in October.

Thank you for helping us spread the word about Efest 2008 with your family, friends and other contacts. Inquires about sponsorship or exhibiting can be directed to accounting@efest.us. Working together, we can all be part of the positive change that supports our environment and economy.

For all of the details, please visit http://www.efest.us/

Bradenton recognized in 'Where to Retire' magazine

Bradenton Herald-Tribune

August 11, 2008
HERALD STAFF REPORTS

The Lersch Group has been following the development of Lakewood Ranch's newest addition, Central Park.

If you’ve ever been to Central Park in New York, you are sure to notice the similarity in Lakewood Ranch’s Central Park. Planned, developed, and (to be) built by Neil Communities and Lakewood Ranch Communities, Lakewood Ranch’s newest infrastructure got underway in a ground-breaking ceremony last Thursday.

The 372-acre Central Park, which is expected to take seven years to complete, would be the first Lakewood Ranch community North of State Road 70. The site plan includes 787 home sites for single-family residences and 150,000 square feet of commercial land use.

Lakewood Ranch Central Park will consist of 5 neighborhoods: Great Lawn, East Meadow, Cedar Hill, East Garden, and Conservatory Garden, all of which were inspired by areas located within New York’s Central Park. All new homes will meet Florida Green Building Standards.

Homes will vary in price, but Neal has stated, “I think they will be higher than the $144,000 homes we are currently selling, but our goal is to make them affordable for two Manatee County school teachers.” There will be 29 floor plans available, ranging up to 3,500 square feet.

The heart of Lakewood Ranch Central Park will include shaded picnic areas, a covered pavilion, a sports field for baseball and soccer, and a gazebo. The community will also be connected via a bikeway or sidewalk to Lakewood Centre, which is Schroeder-Manatee Ranch’s recently approved “town center” project, which is less than a mile south of Central Park.

Commercial space for shopping and offices will be available at the northeast and northwest corners.

We will continue to monitor the progress of the development of Central Park and will try to keep you posted on the most up to date information. 

A group of Sarasota's Boston Red Sox fans, which is growing larger by the day, has formed the, "Citizens for Sox" in support of the Boston Red Sox relocating their Spring Training to our beautiful city.  These fans have taken on a strong role in participating in city and county discussions and have even drawn the support of our very own Dick Vitale.  All believe that it would bring incredible opportunities to our city, including an increase in our local economy.

To learn more about the group, sign the petition, or just stay informed, please visit:  http://citizensforsox.com/index.html